Why Bethesda Waited Years to Approve a Fallout TV Series

For more than a decade, Bethesda was regularly approached by Hollywood studios keen to turn Fallout into a film or television series. Despite the ongoing interest, the developer consistently turned down these proposals, waiting for the right creative minds to take the reins. Studio veteran Emil Pagliarulo recently shed light on why Bethesda kept saying no, and it turns out the decision rested largely with Todd Howard.

Pagliarulo explained,

Credit to Todd Howard, we could have made a Fallout movie or Fallout TV show a decade ago - we had certainly been asked. But Hollywood, at the time, they wanted to throw 'the videogame directors' at us,

he said.

We don't want the guy who makes videogame movies. We want the best director, the best showrunner possible…a lot of it was waiting to find the right partner, and not just doing it because you could.

Hollywood’s Track Record and Bethesda’s Reluctance

Back then, the idea of adapting a game for the big or small screen didn’t inspire much confidence. While there are a few standout game adaptations these days, a decade ago, the landscape looked pretty grim. Bethesda was understandably cautious about letting just anyone handle one of their most cherished franchises, especially when the industry’s reputation for game-to-screen projects was patchy at best.

Hollywood’s approach often involved bringing in directors known for their work on other game adaptations, but Bethesda wasn’t keen on following that well-trodden path. They wanted a team that could bring something fresh and genuinely compelling to the table, rather than simply ticking the box for a quick adaptation.

Finding the Right Team

It wasn’t until much later that Bethesda found the right fit in Graham Wagner and Geneva Robertson-Dworet. Wagner, known for his work on comedies like Portlandia and The Office, and Robertson-Dworet, who penned scripts for Captain Marvel and Tomb Raider, brought a unique blend of experience to the project. Their involvement signalled a shift in how seriously Hollywood was willing to take the Fallout universe.

The result was a series that not only captured the spirit of the games but also resonated with critics and viewers alike. The show quickly became a hit, earning a 95% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and proving that Bethesda’s patience had paid off.

Todd Howard’s Steadfast Approach

Throughout the years of offers and pitches, Todd Howard remained firm in his vision for what a Fallout adaptation should be. Rather than rushing into a deal for the sake of it, he waited until the right opportunity came along. This approach, while perhaps frustrating for eager fans at the time, ultimately ensured that the series would be handled with the care and attention it deserved.

By holding out for a team that truly understood the world of Fallout, Bethesda avoided the pitfalls that have plagued so many other game adaptations. The success of the show stands as a testament to the value of patience and a clear creative vision.