Netflix is doubling down hard on Video Game adaptations with both anime and live action versions of popular video games, The Witcher being the most recent example and success of one. Now just two weeks away from the launch of the next title in the video game series, ‘Assassin’s Creed Valhalla’, Netflix has teased that a live adaptation of Assassin’s Creed is coming to their streaming service:
The series, which will be executive produced by Ubisoft Film & Television’s Jason Altman and Danielle Kreinik, is currently looking for a showrunner.
“We’re excited to partner with Ubisoft and bring to life the rich, multilayered storytelling that Assassin’s Creed is beloved for,” said Peter Friedlander, VP, Original Series, Netflix. “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 & Television 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.”
My thoughts….well the big screen adaptation was quite frankly awful, it ignored the basic rules of the Assassin’s Creed universe but did manage to actually improve on a couple of things including its take on the Animus. For me Assassin’s Creed suits an episodic television series because of the very nature of being able to go into an Animus and revisit history but also a show’s season will allow enough time to tell and build a story that you just can’t do in a feature film, the games themselves are often 40 hours or more to complete with the more recent ones hitting the 100 hour mark so a two hour film cant do it justice but a ten hour TV season could do more with it.
So far Netflix is on a role with Video Game adaptations so I am hoping this will have the same level of success as long as they stick to what made the games so loved just as they did with The Witcher in honouring the books and the games.
