Nottingham company Games Workshop, which makes Warhammer, has agreed a deal with Amazon to make films and TV programmes based on the fantasy games.
The firm said it has “reached an agreement in principle” for Amazon to develop its intellectual property. Superman and The Witcher actor Henry Cavill has confirmed he is attached to the project.
Shares in Lenton-based Games Workshop soared by 16% as the business announced a deal with Amazon which will see the US giant create new films and TV series out of the company’s Warhammer franchise. The company produces Warhammer products at its Nottingham factory and offices site, off Lenton Lane.
Amazon will start holding talks with writers over the project, which will initially involve developing the Warhammer 40,000 universe, Games Workshop said.
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Henry Cavill issued a statement on Instagram confirming the news. He said: "For 30 years I have dreamt of seeing a Warhammer universe in live action. Now, after 22 years of experience in this industry, I finally feel that I have the skill set and experience to guide a Warhammer Cinematic Universe into life. Partnering with Natalie Viscuso at Vertigo has been a blessing beyond words, without her we might not have found the perfect home at Amazon.
"And having a home like Amazon will give us the freedom to be true to the massive scope of Warhammer. To all of you Warhammer fans out there, I promise to respect this IP that we love. I promise to bring you something familiar. And I endeavour to bring you something fantastic that is, as of yet, unseen. Our first steps are to find our Filmmaker/Creator/Writer. Watch this space, my friends."
The Hollywood Reporter has reported that Henry Cavill is attached to star and executive produce in the adaptation, just days after he confirmed he will not be returning to play Superman in the DC comics universe.
Games Workshop said in a statement that it would make no changes to its financial forecasts for the year to May despite the new deal.
It added that agreement with Amazon was still subject to contracts being confirmed and that a further announcement will be made “in due course”.
Jefferies analyst Andrew Wade said: “This is very exciting news for Games Workshop.
“Licensing income has built strongly in recent years, from £2 million in full-year 2015 to around £17 million in full-year 2023, but we saw a more limited progression ahead, believing that only a major film deal would support another step-change.
“With today’s news, that is now a very real possibility.
“Moreover, a mainstream TV/film product could be game-changing in terms of Warhammer’s brand reach and awareness.”
Shares in Games Workshop were 16.5% higher at 8,505p on Friday morning, valuing the company at roughly £2.8 billion.
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