Netflix’s live-action adaptation of Gears of War has landed the writer of Dune and Doctor Strange to help bring it to life. Academy Award-nominated screenwriter Jon Spaihts has signed on to adapt the hugely successful video game franchise for the streaming giant.
In a statement, the Dune and Doctor Strange writer said: “Gears of War is one of the all-time great action games, with vivid characters, a beautifully designed world, and a combat system that drives home the lethality of war and the importance of standing by your squadmates. It wants to be cinema, and I’m thrilled to have the chance to help that happen.”
With over 40 million copies sold, Gears of War is one of gaming’s richest and most acclaimed sagas. It centres on a society divided and on the brink of collapse as it faces total extinction by the Locust, a monstrous threat from below.
READ MORE: Resident Evil 4 remake cited as a ‘masterpiece’ as it receives perfect review scores
Delta Squad, a ragtag fireteam led by disgraced sergeant Marcus Fenix, is now charged with leading humanity’s last stand. The first Gears of War released in 2006 for the Xbox, and spawned several sequels and spin-offs.
The series has been critically acclaimed for redefining the tactical third-person and co-operative shooter genre and has one of gaming’s most passionate fanbases. Fans of the franchise will be hoping that Spaihts’ arrival marks the end of more than 15 years of development hell for the film.
Discover, learn, grow. We are Curiously. Follow us on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
The first feature-length adaptation of the franchise has been in the works since 2007, when production studio New Line Cinema acquired the rights before they moved to Universal. In November 2022, Netflix announced a partnership with The Coalition to adapt the Gears of War universe.
Netflix will first adapt the video game saga into a live action feature film, followed by an adult animated series, with the potential for more stories to follow.
“We’re thrilled to partner with Jon and the Netflix team to bring Gears of War to life,” The Coalition said. “Jon is a master storyteller with a talent for creating epic science fiction universes and he truly loves Gears of War.
“We couldn’t ask for a better partner to honor our franchise and deliver an authentic story to our fans.”
Spaihts received an Oscar nomination for best adapted screenplay for his adaptation of Frank Herbet’s sci-fi epic Dune, alongside director Denis Villeneuve. He also penned the script for 2012 Alien prequel Prometheus and 2016 Chris Pratt and Jennifer Lawrence sci-fi Passengers.
READ NEXT:
- Residents living in high-rise flats left furious by soaring rent, eviction notices and lifts out of order for months
- Drunk woman who lashed out in town centre claimed she just 'fell over'
- Last-known CCTV footage of missing woman who police believe has been murdered
- Vile paedophile who abused two children decades apart unmasked after becoming 'bored' and bragging online
- Inside Greater Manchester Police’s ‘biggest change’ in a generation
