Netflix’s growing stable of video game adaptations now includes one of the Xbox’s best-known franchises. The streaming service is teaming with series developer The Coalition to produce a live action Gears of War movie. There are no details for the cast, plot or release date, but Netflix is teasing an adult animated show and the possibility of “more stories.”
The series revolves around the Locust, an aggressive species that has very nearly destroyed human civilization. The original Gears of War trilogy centers on grizzled veteran Marcus Fenix, but newer games and spinoffs have focused on his son JD, his frequent ally Baird and the rebel-turned-soldier Kait.
The timing is apt. The Coalition isn’t unveiling its next game for a while. The Netflix productions give the Microsoft-owned studio a way to keep Gears of War in the limelight, not to mention spark renewed interest among gamers who have fond memories of chainsawing Locust drones. This is also part of Microsoft’s answer to Sony’s growing big screen ambitions, which now include planned Horizon and God of War shows as well as movies like Uncharted.
The question, as always, is whether or not the game collection translates well to a linear video format. While there have been some successes with game-based shows, such as Netflix’s League of Legends series, these projects still don’t have a sterling reputation — even the Halo adaptation garnered a mixed response. It’s far too early to determine how Gears of War will fare, but it’s safe to say there are plenty of challenges ahead.
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