Paul W.S. Anderson: Monster Hunter is “most favorite movie I’ve ever made”

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

We were meant to be just one month out from the release of director Paul W.S. Anderson's video game adaptation MONSTER HUNTER, as the film was originally scheduled to reach theatres on September 4th. Due to the pandemic, MONSTER HUNTER has been pushed back to April 23rd, 2021. During a conversation with Syfy Wire, Anderson confirmed that the film is 

100 percent finished. We were supposed to be releasing it on Labor Day weekend but we pushed it into 2021, but it’s completely done. So it’s coming out April 23 of next year. For me, it’s my most favorite movie I’ve ever made. It has a rather unique look to it."

Calling it his favorite of the movies he has made means Anderson ranks it above his feature debut SHOPPING, the video game adaptations MORTAL KOMBAT and RESIDENT EVIL (and he also directed three of the RESIDENT EVIL sequels), the sci-fi horror film EVENT HORIZON, SOLDIER (considered to be a "side-quel" to BLADE RUNNER), the crossover film ALIEN VS. PREDATOR, the DEATH RACE update, his 2011 version of THE THREE MUSKETEERS, and the historical adventure film POMPEII.

Anderson went on to say that he achieved the "unique look" of MONSTER HUNTER by filming at real locations rather than shooting everything against a green screen. 

I felt it was really important to get out on location and shoot if we wanted to do justice to the amazing landscapes form the game, and that’s exactly what we did. We shot the movie in Africa and we’ve got lush jungles, we’ve got deserts that reflect the Wildspire Waste from the game, and beautiful, stunning locations, some of which have never been shot before. And there’s a reason for that because they were just in the middle of nowhere."

Anderson promises that the film will allow viewers to "plunge into another world". 

It’s wonderful escapism and when the world starts to right itself and people can go back to theaters, that’s exactly what people will want and need is to escape for a couple of hours into a different realm.  And that’s what Monster Hunter has in spades, and that’s why I was so excited to turn it into a movie."

MONSTER HUNTER has the following synopsis: 

Behind our world, there is another: a world of dangerous and powerful monsters that rule their domain with deadly ferocity. When Lt. Artemis and her loyal soldiers are transported from our world to the new world, the unflappable lieutenant receives the shock of her life. In her desperate battle for survival against enormous enemies with incredible powers and unstoppable, revolting attacks, Artemis will team up with a mysterious man who has found a way to fight back.

The film stars Milla Jovovich, Tony Jaa, Tip "T.I." Harris, Ron Perlman, Diego Boneta, Josh Helman, and Meagan Good.