The Stuntman series is making its return to gaming after a 17-year absence, with Saber Interactive developing Stuntman: Hollywood for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. The revival marks the first time the franchise will incorporate authentic film and television properties, thanks to a licensing deal with Universal Pictures.
The initial reveal trailer showcased vehicles and sequences drawn from Fast & Furious, Back to the Future, Knight Rider, Miami Vice, and Death Race. Players will get behind the wheel of Brian O'Conner's cars from The Fast and the Furious films, the armored Mustang piloted by Jason Statham in Death Race, and the iconic tanker truck that crashed in that same action thriller. K.I.T.T. from Knight Rider and the DeLorean from Back to the Future are confirmed as licensed vehicles in the game.
Not every vehicle appears to carry full licensing approval. The Miami Vice car, for instance, lacks the distinctive strakes of Sonny Crockett's 1986 Ferrari Testarossa, suggesting it functions as a lookalike rather than the authentic model.
Saber Interactive Chief Creative Officer Tim Willits explained the studio's vision in a statement, saying the original Stuntman left a lasting impression and that recreating the franchise while evolving it into something fresh represents a dream project. He noted Saber's track record working with established intellectual properties and expressed enthusiasm about partnering with Universal again.
For younger gamers, Stuntman's legacy may be unfamiliar territory. The original game launched on PlayStation 2 in 2002, developed by Reflections Interactive, a studio riding momentum from its Driver franchise and Destruction Derby series. While Driver drew inspiration from Hollywood car chases, Stuntman made that its central concept, placing players in the role of professional stunt drivers executing complex sequences from fictional films.
The original earned cult status as an action-driving title, though it gained notoriety for its difficulty and demands for near-perfect execution to complete stunts in single takes. The game featured homages to various film genres, from Guy Ritchie-style London crime capers to mockups of Indiana Jones, James Bond, and The Dukes of Hazzard. Beyond scripted film shoots, Stuntman included a construction mode allowing players to design and perform freestyle stunts with advanced destruction physics.
A sequel arrived in 2007, but under different ownership. THQ acquired the Stuntman brand and tasked Paradigm Entertainment with development. Stuntman: Ignition delivered six additional fictional film scenarios but failed to match the original's critical standing. The game's commercial underperformance prompted THQ to shelve the franchise indefinitely.
Nearly two decades later, Saber Interactive has resurrected the property. The studio brings credibility from developing the MudRunner and SnowRunner franchises, titles demanding precise vehicle control and physics simulation. A specific launch date for Stuntman: Hollywood remains unannounced.
The franchise's success will hinge on whether its handling model delivers the precision and feel that made the original memorable. Stunt-driving mechanics can either anchor a game or derail it entirely, leaving little middle ground for a title built entirely around executing complicated driving sequences.
Author Emily Chen: "Real movie IP in a stunt-driving game sounds wild on paper, but the execution of the driving itself is everything here, and Saber has the chops to nail it."
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