David Leitch, the acclaimed director behind films like The Fall Guy, Atomic Blonde, Deadpool 2, Hobbs & Shaw, and Bullet Train, is reportedly in talks to helm Netflix's adaptation of the iconic video game, Gears of War. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Leitch's negotiations come after Netflix acquired the rights to the Microsoft-owned franchise over two and a half years ago.
Leitch is set to produce the film alongside his partner Kelly McCormick and Gears developer The Coalition. The script is being penned by Jon Spaihts, known for his work on Dune. As the project gains momentum, an adult animation series is also in development, poised to follow the movie's release. Should the adaptations prove successful, further Gears of War projects are anticipated.
A significant point of interest for fans is the casting of Marcus Fenix, the series' protagonist. Dave Bautista, a wrestler turned actor, has publicly expressed his strong desire to portray Fenix, even receiving endorsement from Gears co-creator Cliff Bleszinski.
The video game adaptation market is currently thriving, with recent successes like The Super Mario Bros. Movie, A Minecraft Movie, and the Sonic films setting new benchmarks. Other notable adaptations include Uncharted, Mortal Kombat, and various Resident Evil projects.
Upcoming New Video Game Movies and TV Shows: 2025 Release Dates and Beyond
View 50 Images
In a recent statement, Microsoft gaming chief Phil Spencer expressed that despite the mixed reception of the Halo TV series, Microsoft remains committed to exploring more adaptations of its video game IPs. Spencer highlighted the company's learning curve and growing confidence in the adaptation space, hinting at future projects.
"We're learning and growing through this process, which is giving us more confidence that we should do more," Spencer remarked. He also noted Microsoft's experience with Fallout and other adaptations, indicating a strategy of continuous improvement and expansion in this area.
Meanwhile, in the gaming world, The Coalition is developing Gears of War: E-Day, a prequel to the main series, though a release date has yet to be announced.
