New details have been released for Netflix’s upcoming Splinter Cell anime series, including episode length and story structure. The show is one of several video game adaptations currently in development at Netflix, which include franchises like Resident Evil, Assassin’s Creed, and Tomb Raider. Those projects will join existing game-based Netflix series like Castlevania, Dragon’s Dogma, and Dota: Dragon’s Blood, which releases on March 25.
The Splinter Cell series began in 2002 when Ubisoft released Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell. The franchise has since spawned numerous sequels and spinoffs, as well as a series of novels – none of which were actually authored by Tom Clancy. Splinter Cell has remained one of Ubisoft’s most popular properties over the years, despite a decline in recent game releases. The lead character, Sam Fisher, has historically been voiced by noted actor Michael Ironside, though he briefly left the role for 2013’s Splinter Cell: Blacklist.
Netflix announced in 2020 that it had acquired the rights to produce a Splinter Cell anime series, and new details for the project have now been revealed by executive producer Derek Kolstad (John Wick, Nobody). Speaking with Collider, Kolstad revealed that the show’s first season will consist of eight episodes, each running between twenty and thirty minutes. He also revealed that the anime will have two different timelines running simultaneously, saying that he likes “the idea of following two different timelines, and being introduced to a character both upon inception and where he is now.” That could indicate that the Netflix series will partly focus on Sam Fisher’s origin story.
After decades of failed attempts, video game adaptations seem to be experiencing something of a renaissance, both at Netflix and elsewhere. Films like Sonic the Hedgehog and Detective Pikachu have received much higher critical marks than most of their predecessors. Adaptations of numerous Sony game properties are also in development, including Tom Holland’s Uncharted film and HBO’s The Last of Us series, which will star Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey.
The recent history of original anime at Netflix is also pretty strong, so hopefully Splinter Cell can find something of the success of shows like Castelvania. No official casting news has been released so far, but there’s also the chance that Michael ironside could return to voice Sam Fisher in the new show. With an action movie veteran like Kolstad leading the way, Netflix’s Splinter Cell anime definitely has a lot of potential.
Source: Collider