There once was a time when any movie or TV show based on a video game was looked down upon by fans, but those days are in the past and we've seen several leading game properties make the leap from the interactive to the non-interactive realm – and soon, there's going to be one more to add to the list.
Netflix has revealed that it is following-up the likes of The Witcher, Resident Evil, Dragon's Dogma and Castlevania with a live-action series based on Ubisoft's best-selling Assassin's Creed franchise. Assassin's Creed is no stranger to the silver screen – it was turned into a live-action movie in 2017 starring Michael Fassbender – but a full-length TV series could give the property more scope and room to breathe.
Outside of a teaser trailer, Netflix hasn't given much more in the way of detail, although it has confirmed that Ubisoft's Jason Altman and Danielle Kreinik will serve as Executive Producers on the project. Described as "an epic, genre-bending live-action adaptation," the show doesn't currently possess a showrunner, but the search is apparently on.
This first series is just one part of a wider agreement between Ubisoft and Netflix to leverage the franchise. "Under the agreement, Netflix and Ubisoft will tap into the iconic video game’s trove of dynamic stories with global mass appeal for adaptations of live-action, animated, and anime series," says the PR email.
Here's what Jason Altman, Head of Ubisoft Film & Television (Los Angeles) had to say about the deal:
For more than 10 years, millions of fans around the world have helped shape the Assassin’s Creed brand into an iconic franchise. We’re thrilled to create an Assassin’s Creed series with Netflix and we look forward to developing the next saga in the Assassin’s Creed universe.
Peter Friedlander, Vice President, Original Series, Netflix, added:
We’re excited to partner with Ubisoft and bring to life the rich, multilayered storytelling that Assassin’s Creed is beloved for. From its breathtaking historical worlds and massive global appeal as one of the best selling video game franchises of all time, we are committed to carefully crafting epic and thrilling entertainment based on this distinct IP and provide a deeper dive for fans and our members around the world to enjoy.
Assassin's Creed began life in 2007, and is famous for its time-hopping gameplay which is based around freedom of movement, killing people and bugs which cause faces to mysteriously vanish. The latest instalment in the franchise is Assassin's Creed Valhalla, which sadly isn't coming to Switch. However, you can still enjoy the likes of Assassin's Creed Black Flag and Assassin's Creed III on Nintendo's system, if you so wish.
[source twitter.com]
Comments (27)
I'm pretty sure this one is being worked on by Adi Shankar, who produced Castlevania as well so I have SOME faith this will be good
Still genuinely wondering where Devil May Cry is
As long as it's better than the movie, that's all I ask.
I'm interested, but the Rayman series is what I'm waiting for
I'll obviously watch it. The film was poor though
Eh, can't say I'm too interested unless it picks some historical setting the games can't work with (which is a challenge to think of). The movie - nothing reality-warping yet A LOT more worthwhile than fanbrained armchair critics here and elsewhere in the internet make it sound - was the perfect medium for an introductory piece explaining the overarching lore, conflicts and stakes (in fact, it was my decisive motivation to start playing the franchise), but IMHO the historical chapters themselves are more fun as interactive environments to explore.
@Menardi ...Did you even watch their Castlevania or Witcher adaptations (Also keep in mind Witcher is also a book series they could draw from)?
«Really hope they spend a lot of time in the modern era», said no one ever.
Well maybe this will focus on the Isu and the actual resolution to the templar/assassin conflict. Needs a modern era resolution. Game series lost the plot.
I thought disney and fox owned the media rights to assassins creed.
Today Blood of Zeus released on Netflix. It may be good! It's about Greek mythology and if it is a success, more seasons will come to the future.
Why doesn't Netflix make a Zelda series?
@TheFrenchiestFry I found the Assassin's Creed movie to be highly confusing and overly complicated and it just felt like a video game rather than a movie. Mediocre in my opinion. 5.5/10
@BTB20 Oh yeah AC with Michael Fassbender was boring as hell.
Hopefully they focus on the ideologies of all the factions and their inner workings. I'd love to see them get into the Instruments as well, if they choose to go that route. Parkour also must play a central role in the action and cinematography, but that kinda goes without saying. I hope this ends up being a decent addition to the AC universe, but I have serious doubts after the Assassin's Creed movie. We'll just have to wait and see.
I'm just here for the sea shanties.
I want more from Castlevania, liked it
A bit more Music from the Games would be cool
@Menardi I think a remake would be fitting. I don't think it has been done yet and they could really do a ton with it to modernize it. Could you imagine just the same game but modern graphics and effects? It would be bliss. An addition to the series would be good as well but I could see them messing that up a lot easier than a remake/remaster.
Also I agree there are many reasons to dislike pretty much every corporation. One thing that most of them have in common though are many different hands doing different things and not always communicating. This said I dislike a large portion of the stuff on Netflix because of various reasons often I feel they drag out and over dramatize everything. There are however some really solid shows and I would rather have hope that they will do something great with it than immediately assume the worst.
That said hopefully they do something good with it and I hope you have a good one. Fingers crossed on something from Camelot that isn't a Mario offshoot.
@WhoaManWtF Couldn't agree more. I think Golden Sun is best-served as a 2D style RPG. It would be awesome if they went for an Octopath Traveler sort of "2DHD" style, good marriage between 3D environments and 2D sprites. I'll take literally anything for it, as long as Camelot finally does something that doesn't involve the plumber and a sport.
Agreed regarding corporations such as Netflix and Amazon and the like. Their output has some good to it, I'd be lying if I said there aren't standout moments, but westernization aside, you do get the sense much of it is filler designed to sedate until the final moments of the episode. It's made to maximize watch times, can make for very dry, by-the-numbers viewing sometimes. Of course I have nothing but hope and best wishes that Assassin's Creed is done right by them. Likewise, cheers.
If they cut the Animus bullcrap out, I'll be interested.
@Menardi But I like ellipses! Besides, we're on a forum, informal usage of grammar is expected. Anyways, I didn't say they weren't westernized, just that they still had a lot to do with the source material.
@Menardi I really hope they keep the politics out of it and stick to the source material but it's Netflix so who are we kidding?
BTW you can scoop up Assassin's Creed: The Rebel Collection for Switch at a 50% discount right now. That's 2 fantastic games for half price, cheaper than eBay. Be stupid not to really!
@sanderev They were supposedly in talks, Netflix + Nintendo, to do a Zelda series earlier this year... but that kinda vanished, or Nintendo did the old "just the tip" and then ran away with their IP snuggled tightly to their chest, leaving netflix to wonder what the hell just happened. Honestly, Nintendo green-lighting that Mario brothers movie abomination years ago has really made them gun-shy about letting anyone use their IPs outside of video games, save "Wreck It Ralph's" use of Bowser.
@Kit its nice to see the rebel collection on sale but even at half price, it's more than I recently paid for odyssey with all of the DLC.
Looking forward to this show, hopefully they do ot justice
@Unit_DTH I think those were just rumors.
We know, however, about the new animated Mario movie coming from Illumination Entertainment. So a Netflix Zelda-series could happen (they are more open to it, than they used to)
i really hope they do this historic series justice , also love the ezio family music they used there
@sanderev True they are more open to it, especially after seeing the success of VG series turned TV Series, i.e. Castlevania and The Witcher. But from all the articles surrounding the Super Mario Movie, it seems that they are still a bit trepidatious since they are having Miyamoto personally oversee the upcoming title. Seems like they still aren't totally convinced, which is a shame, because we need a Metroid movie/Series.
Here's to hoping they release their iron grip and allow some creative freedom with their beloved IPs.
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