In early 2011, video game publisher and developer Ubisoft formed Ubisoft Motion Pictures, a new division that would develop their flagship video game franchises for television and film with the idea of expanding their audience. The other key component to Ubisoft’s expansion is their determination to maintain creative control over their own properties, an obvious concern considering the state of the video game movie genre.
The three brands to be developed first include Assassin’s Creed and a pair of Tom Clancy franchises in Ghost Recon and Splinter Cell. Assassin’s Creed is first up, and after some developmental hurdles, is officially back on the fast track with Michael Fassbender still on board to produce and star.
Nearly a year ago, Sony Pictures managed to acquire the Assassin’s Creed rights but their deal with Ubisoft was rather unique in that other major studios scoffed at the restrictions placed upon Sony. Ubisoft Motion Pictures – in an effort to protect their brand – would have final approval over the script, casting decisions, budget and release date, and this lead to the deal falling apart.
Public perception and industry buzz changed quickly when Ubisoft later announced that Michael Fassbender, one of the hottest and most sought after talents in Hollywood, signed on to not only star, but help produce the Assassin’s Creed adaptation. Now, development moving forward with Ubisoft announcing a partnership with New Regency who will help produce the film, with Twentieth Century Fox distributing.
Ubisoft Motion Pictures, the film and television division of Ubisoft, will develop the Assassin’s Creed film in close collaboration with New Regency. The development of a screenplay is beginning immediately and the project is being fast tracked as the creative pieces come together, while allowing Ubisoft to maintain control of key elements of the movie’s creative direction. Financial terms of the deal are not being disclosed.
The official announcement makes it abundantly clear that Ubisoft’s main stipulation remains, ”allowing Ubisoft to maintain control of key elements of the movie’s creative direction.” Jean-Julien Baronnet, chief executive officer, Ubisoft Motion Pictures:
“Ubisoft chose to partner with New Regency because they are a talent- and filmmaker-driven company, with the same independent and creative mindset that we have at Ubisoft Motion Pictures. Bringing aboard New Regency’s renowned production and distribution expertise while maintaining our own creative and financial flexibility ensures that Assassin’s Creed will be a high-quality film that respects the lore and fans of the video game franchise.”
The Assassin’s Creed script is currently in the works and the project will represent the first feature-length live-action film from Ubisoft Motion Pictures. The timing of the announcement comes only a week before Assassin’s Creed 3 (image below) hits store shelves – the fifth game in the core series and last chapter in the story of protagonist Desmond Miles.
The series tells the the story of a bartender named Desmond Miles who’s captured by a mysterious corporation and put into a machine called the Animus that lets him relive the memories of his ancestors, Assassins, who are mixed in a worldwide conspiracy and timeless war against the Templars. Desmond, and his lineage, must locate mysterious artifacts to aid them in their quest.
As for the next two properties in development, Ghost Recon made a return to video games after a five-year absence with Ghost Recon: Future Soldier this spring and up next spring is Splinter Cell Blacklist.
Which characters and stories (and time periods) from the games will be included in the first Assassin’s Creed film – and who Michael Fassbender will play -remains a mystery.
Will the creator-controlled Assassin’s Creed be the first major video game blockbuster film adaptation to win at the box office, and earn positive reception from the fans and critics?
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Off topic here, but when is the next podcast comming up? Has it been changed back to wednsdays or what?
It’s up now!
Ubi Soft having full creative control? Fassbender producing and staring? The possibility of a decent movie adaption of a well loved video game franchise?
Is this an April fool?
That’s what I was thinking.
But if this is actully going to happen …
OH MY FREAKING GOD.
<3
Interesting.
I just cant imagine Fassbender in his trailer playing AC its just so bizarre
I don’t know about this… Assassin’s Creed is one of my favourite game series. Though games that become movies don’t have a great track-record and vice-versa. Though as a movie, I have a feeling they’ll make it too mainstream, showcasing The Weapons, and Killing Moves and one man vs an army type thing, not the fascinating Story. Will it be about Desmond, or the Animus and some other Assassin descendant?
I agree chances are they’ll make it mainstream and probably ruin the whole story. They’re trying to reach out to a different demographic and I think the gamers like us are going to be disappointed in the outcome.
Just keep that hack Damon Lindelof away from the screenplay and everything should work out fine.
Like fassbender a lot I’d see it
Don’t let that hack Damon Lindelof near the screenplay and everything will work out fine.
did you really create two account just so you could bash that guy twice?
I like Fassbender. I don’t, however, want to see him play Desmond nor Altair. Mixed feelings.
The AC series is amazing… I’ve loved every game so far and the overarching story is fantastic, so I hope they do justice to the franchise with the movie.
I’ve mentioned this in the open discussion as well, but I think it would be great to have the movie set in England (post Ezio and pre Connor) and make it part of the games’ continuity.
I can see Fassbender as maybe Desmond’s dad or maybe they can start off with a different subject, and expand the story instead of imitating a game. As a fan I’d like to see something that expands my knowledge of the franchise.. Hopefully they delve into Desmond’s past. (even after revelations its a bit hazy for me.) This gives opportunity to give insight to people who have never played a game as to what the Assassins are and what they stand for and likewise for the Templars. As a added bonus it gives more of a modern setting for the movie. They could cover the time period of the Assassins from the time Desmond is born to when he gets rescued in AC2. And kind of give the story to the unknown and pretty much unexplored. It might even convince people to go and buy the game. Another bonus to Ubisoft.
AHH there are so many possibilities. I’m excited, I can’t wait for those teasers and trailers.
would love me some Michael Fassbender bending over
yummy
i sure hope micheal bay gets his hands on this project!!!!
LOL….and how about Damon Lindelof too LOL
exciting news
Altair please.
-__- why can’t there be a splinter cell movie #!%
There is. They’re creating the AC film first and if all goes well they have Ghost Recon and Splinter Cell lined up.
I hope they’ll include the whole of Desmond’s story in one film, rather than taking the five games and making 5 films but tis the business world, they want as much money as possible
Well that means they would have to skip out on Ezio and Conner which many fans would be disappointed to see.
I think it would be a great idea if they do it as one of Haythams ancestors acting as a double agent like lucy was but still recieves guidance from the precursors and was part of the games continuity because it would show how haytham got altair’s hidden blade and (maybe)it would show how he got eagle vision. It would also be an awesome twist to reveal that he was a templar.
He will be playing altair ibn la ahad
I am not absolutely sure about fassbender I have to admit…. But id rather see him playin Altair or desmond rather than some good lookin guy who cant act worth a damn, takin up the role of Ezio. Personally, id like to see Tom Hardy try his hand at either Altair or Connor, and maybe shia lebouf play desmond (just a thought). Director…. Id say ridley scott if u wanna find someone who can do ancient screenplays. He proved it with Gladiator(minus the many mistakes) and kingdom of heaven.
Ubisoft is making big mistakes coming out of the gate!
1. For a animated video movie of such great success and of historical magnitude worldwide I as a producer would produce a movie sequel to win Oscars to maximize my profitability. The film producing team need to have a “LORD OF THE RINGS” profitability mentality which is not the situation now.
2. Micheal Fassbender does not carry enough weight to pull off a epic film to gross a profit of $100 million US Dollars worldwide. The film needs more heavyweight talent from Hollywood.
3. The film project needs a heavy weight film director that the world knows.
4. The story content of the video game infused into a screenplay is not fulfilling and concrete enough for a major movie screenplay.
The movie project needs an Oscar Award winning screenplay writer and a writing team that has done accurate historical research and enrich all the most important and accurate events just a year before the American Revolution started, during the American Revolution, and a year after the was ended. This appraoch is very much needed if the film producers are considering to have intentions of winning Oscar Awards.
5. A major Hollywood studio such as Warner Bros., Weinstein Bros., Columbia TriStar, etc. do have the heavyweight marketing power worldwide to market and distribute the movie worldwide.
6. I do have other reasons of why the movie project is starting off not in a positive way!
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/assassins-creed-movie-michael-lesslie-412273
http://www.nbcnews.com/technology/ingame/gamers-cheer-michael-fassbenders-killer-role-assassins-creed-movie-871456
The movie project, “ASSASSAIN’S CREED” to gain huge success will need to be packaged in Hollywood for talent, screenplay written, and accurate historical research for it to be a huge success. Also to maximize profits the movie should be a sequel!
Assassins Creed would make a better TV series!. It will bomb either way if Fassbender is the lead. joe manganiello is clearly the superior and most sensible choice to play Altair/desmond and or Ezio.