Live-Action, Animated and Anime TV shows in the works
An initial announcement has been made by Netflix that they have partnered up with Ubisoft, entering into a content agree that will span multiple shows, times, genres and styles. It is a very early stage in development, with the first live-action show not yet even having a showrunner.
More than one live action show is planned, and the series will also spin off to both animated and anime versions. With more than a dozen video games to draw inspiration from, as well as comics and novels, there should be enough story telling opportunities to come. The first game arrived in 2007, and has gone on to be a critically acclaimed anthology, in total selling more than 155 million copies across a dozen games. Tapping into that installed fan base would bring a lot of eyes to Netflix.
"For more than 10 years, millions of fans around the world have helped shape the Assassin’s Creed brand into an iconic franchise," said Jason Altman, head of Ubisoft Film and Television Los Angeles. “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."
Netflix, for its part, has a tried and true history with video game adaptions. Most recently, and most closely aligned with todays annoucement, Netflix brought The Witcher to a sizeable audience and critical acclaim, from reviewers and the fan base alike. A second season, starring Henry Cavill, is currently in the works. A six episode prequel titled Blood Origin, set 1200 years before its parent show, is also on its way.
Netflix also working on a fourth season of Castlevania, an animated series based on the video game of the same name. The game series was first released in 1986, and now has more than 20 titles in its line up. The first season of the show was released in 2007, and was received well, if not overwhelmingly. Seasons 2 and 3 however, have a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
The Ubisoft and Netflix deal also includes other game IPs, with the most notable being a film based on the Tom Clancy's The Division IP. And Netflix isn't stopping there, with the previously announced Resident Evil TV series ramping up. Andrew Dabb, show runner for Supernaturals later seasons, takes up the same mantle here. Details are light, but we do know that the first season will bounce around two different time zones while following the same family who have moved to Raccoon City. Hopefully there'll be less confusion around this plot device than there was in The Witcher.