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Tetris (Apple TV+) interview: Cast and creators share thoughts on bringing the game to the silver screen

By The Count - 9 Apr 2023

Tetris (Apple TV+) interview: Cast and creators share thoughts on bringing the game to the silver screen

IMAGE: APPLE

Acclaimed for his roles in Kingsman and Rocketman, Taron Egerton is now embracing the challenge of the film adaptation of Tetris, the world's most iconic video game. In a round-table interview with HardwareZone, Egerton, together with director Jon S. Baird, Tetris creator Alexy Pajitnov and game entrepreneur Henk Rogers, shared their thoughts on bringing Tetris to the silver screen.

In the film, Egerton plays Alexey Pajitnov, the Russian software engineer who created the game in 1984. This biographical drama sheds light on Pajitnov's journey and the global phenomenon that Tetris would become. "It's fascinating to delve into the mind of someone who created something so simple, yet so universally captivating," Egerton shares.

Egerton spent a significant amount of time researching his character and even learned to speak Russian for the role. "I wanted to do Alexey justice, so I spent months immersing myself in Russian culture, learning the language, and understanding the history of the time," he reveals.

IMAGE: APPLE

Baird played a significant role in bringing the Tetris story to life and shared his thoughts on taking creative liberties with the story, saying, "I think the obvious one really is the artists at the end. I mean, that is very much the whole Hollywood, you know, Hollywood version of the pursuit and how Hank had to get out of Moscow." Baird felt comfortable with the dramatic license taken, however, especially with the involvement of Pajitnov and Rogers as executive producers on the film.

The film also explores the Cold War backdrop and the legal battles surrounding Tetris, offering an engaging and dramatic story. "It's not just about the game itself, but about the people and the politics behind it," Egerton explains.

On working with the director, Egerton praised their collaboration. "We shared a common vision for the film, and our passion for the project brought us closer. It was a pleasure to work with someone so dedicated and talented."

In addition to Egerton and Baird’s thoughts, Pajitnov and Rogers shared their insights on the film adaptation. When asked how the movie affected their perspective on the game and its legacy, Pajitnov says, "Well, I'm very happy and proud that my game got some big kind of recognition that even somebody decided to make a movie about it."

"So, the movie is taking that legacy of the game lasting and our friendship lasting, and bringing that to the rest of the world, which I think is a great thing,” Roger adds.

IMAGE: APPLE

Rogers also had something to say about today’s gaming industry, Rogers expressed his frustration with the current state of mobile gaming: "It's kind of like, you know, you get to play the game for free and then they ask you for 10 cents every 10 minutes. It's like going to a movie, and they interrupt you to collect money during the movie."

Pajitnov, however, remains optimistic about the future, saying, "I expect the next shift will be about applying artificial intelligence to the games and open totally new perspectives."

Egerton's portrayal of Pajitnov is already captivating audiences, shedding light shed light on the man behind the game that has transcended generations. In our review, we said Tetris is a “thrilling history lesson.

"I hope people will come away from the film with a deeper appreciation for Tetris and the incredible story behind it," Egerton says.

The Tetris movie, starring Taron Egerton and directed by Jon S. Baird, is streaming now on Apple TV+.
 

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