'Assassin's Creed' live-action, anime series in development at Netflix
Netflix is developing a whole new TV universe for the action-adventure stealth video game Assassin's Creed.
The leading streaming network has entered into an agreement with video game company Ubisoft to develop live-action, animated, and anime series based on the hit video game franchise.
According to an announcement by Ubisoft, the first series in development is a brand-new "genre-bending live-action epic," with Ubisoft Film and Television’s Jason Altman and Danielle Kreinik serving as executive producers. The series is currently on the hunt for a showrunner.
In the video games, players usually control an Assassin in the past, where characters are intertwined with real-world historical events and figures in a world that blends historical and science fiction.
Netflix + Assassin's Creed pic.twitter.com/yI2sItnMgi
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In a statement, Netflix original series vice president Peter Friedlander said: “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.”
Jason Altman, Head of Ubisoft Film and Television-Los Angeles, added, “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."
Since the series’ first title was released in 2007, Assassin’s Creed has featured eleven main games in total, and sold more than 155 million games worldwide to become one of the best-selling series in video game history.
The video game depicts a fictional millennia-old struggle between the Assassins, who fight for peace with free will, and the Templars, who desire peace through order and control.
The latest game in the long-running franchise, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, is slated for release on Nov. 10 for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PS4, PC, and Stadia; for PlayStation 5 on November 12; and for Amazon Luna when the Ubisoft channel launches.
In 2016, a film adaptation of the game directed by Justin Kurzel and starring Michael Fassbender, Marion Cotillard and Jeremy Irons, was released to largely negative critical response. In 2017, Ubisoft signaled its plans for an Assassin’s Creed TV series.
Netflix has already found success adapting another beloved video game series, The Witcher, starring Henry Cavill, which is getting its own spinoff series. The streaming service also revealed live-action and animated series takes on the Resident Evil video game franchise earlier this year.
(Images by Netflix and Ubisoft)