Check Out the Grand Theft Hamlet Trailer: Hamlet Meets GTA Online

I’ve encountered countless renditions of Shakespeare’s Hamlet, a story reimagined by various actors on both stage and screen. However, Grand Theft Hamlet introduces a twist I’ve never experienced: the timeless tale set within the universe of GTA Online. This upcoming film isn’t a straightforward reenactment of the classic play inside the game world; instead, it dives into a documentary-style exploration of how the entire project was conceived and orchestrated—a feat that was no small task.

The brains behind this innovative venture are a married duo from the UK, Pinny Grylls, a seasoned documentarian, and Sam Crane, an actor. Their inspiration? The global pandemic. With traditional theatre doors closed and Crane finding himself without acting gigs, they sought refuge in the world of video games. It was there they decided to stage their play, capturing the whole journey on film.

The end product swings between being hilariously unexpected and deeply serious, as seen in the trailer. While the project hilariously faces interruptions from other players within the game, a beautiful aspect is the number of gamers who pitch in to support it—overcoming the game’s inherent chaos. This is precisely the sort of bold, artistic endeavor that truly captivates me.

Mark your calendars: Grand Theft Hamlet is set to hit theaters on January 17 and will make its way to Mubi streaming at a later date.