He’s Magneto, he’s an android of the future, and now he’s set to take on the role of a time-traveling revolutionary whose mission spans throughout history. Michael Fassbender is hitting all the high marks with sci-fi and adventure fans by starring in the film adaption of the popular video game franchise, Assassin’s Creed.
Ubisoft, the game’s developer, created a special film division with the intention of producing a movie version of the series while largely maintaining creative control. Now they have teamed with New Regency, to ensure their vision takes shape. CEO of Ubisoft Motion Pictures, Jean-Julien Baronnet says of the alliance, “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.”
Since its inception in 2007, the game series, which features different lead characters operating in a secret society during various historical events, has sold 38 million copies between four games. Assassin’s Creed III, the fifth installment, is themed on the American Revolution and comes out October 30, 2012.
It’s yet to be confirmed which specific game will serve as inspiration for the film or which of the main characters Fassbender will portray, but there’s more than enough material to choose from.
It would be interesting to see who the studios nab to direct the film. Ridley Scott might be a worthy choice because of his interest and experience with historically-inspired epics (Gladiator, Kingdom of Heaven, Robin Hood) and since Fassbender seems to be his new muse. In any case, please let this be the first really good video game film adaptation in a sea of abysmal efforts (I’m looking at you, Max Payne).
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Tags: android, Assassin's Creed, Assassin's Creed: Revelations, CEO, Creed, Digital media, Entertainment/Culture, Fassbender, Games, Jean-Julien Baronnet, Kingdom of Heaven, Max Payne, Michael Fassbender, Ridley Scott, Ubisoft, Ubisoft Motion Pictures
3 Comments
The screenplay of Assassin’s Creed is one of the best I’ve ever seen in a video game. That could be an incredible blockbuster in the lineage of smart movies such as Inception or Minority report.
I’m personally sick of Hollywood’s blockbusters with superheroes or bad aliens and something fresh will be more than welcome.
I think there is enough material for the academy to show some interest in it.
It’s clear that Ubisoft doesn’t wan’t to mess it up like they did with “Prince of Persia” however it didn’t had half Assassin’s Creed potential .
Antonio(Quote) (Reply)
The degree of control Ubisoft is exercising over this is very promising. Prince of Persia wasn’t horrible but not too memorable either and didn’t capitalize fully on the potential the game. I hope they don’t compromise too much especially in terms of budget. Kind of like how Gore Verbinski gave up the Bioshock adaptation idea due to his wishes to actually build sets instead of relying heavily on CG. That was disappointing but I’m glad he walked away before they messed up that amazing opportunity. I’m excited to see where this goes.
Nicole Melkonian(Quote) (Reply)
Video game adaptations don’t and will never work. The prospective fans of the respective movie will never be able to connect to the picture because they spent so many hours in control of the character and are forced to relinquish that control to another. The intimacy of the gamer with the character don’t translate. Adaptations succeed when the level of intimacy is increased as a result of the translation. That won’t ever occur from game to film unless you take a shrouded, little known character and humanize him on the big screen forcing the shroud to dissipate and the viewer to empathize.
Otherwise, video game film adaptations will become successful when people enjoy actively watching someone else play a video game.
Frank(Quote) (Reply)