After nearly five years since its initial announcement, Netflix`s live-action Assassin`s Creed television series is finally moving forward with significant developments. This long-awaited adaptation has officially received the green light from Netflix.
The streaming giant has confirmed that Robert Patino (known for his work on Westworld and Sons of Anarchy) and David Wiener (from acclaimed series like Halo and The Killing) will serve as the creators, showrunners, and executive producers for the series. This leadership change comes after the departure of former showrunner Jeb Stuart in 2023, who cited `differences in vision` as his reason for leaving the project.
The official synopsis for the series describes Assassin`s Creed as a `high-octane thriller` centered on a covert conflict between two enigmatic factions. One faction aims to dictate mankind`s future through control and manipulation, while the other is dedicated to preserving free will. The narrative will traverse pivotal historical periods, following its characters as they battle to shape humanity`s destiny.
In a joint statement, Wiener and Patino expressed their long-standing admiration for the Assassin`s Creed franchise, having been fans since its debut in 2007. They conveyed their excitement and humility regarding the vast opportunities the Assassin`s Creed universe presents to them.
They further elaborated on their creative vision, stating that beneath the expansive scope, spectacular action, parkour, and thrills, the series will delve into profound human stories. These include individuals` quests for purpose, their struggles with identity, destiny, and faith, alongside explorations of power, violence, desire, greed, and vengeance. Ultimately, they emphasized, the show aims to highlight `the value of human connection, across cultures, across time.`
As the series is still in its nascent stages, details regarding the cast and an official release date remain unannounced.
Prior to this Netflix venture, 20th Century Fox released a live-action Assassin`s Creed film in 2016, starring Michael Fassbender, which grossed over $240 million globally.
This live-action project is not the only Assassin`s Creed content in development for Netflix; an animated series is also underway. Furthermore, Ubisoft is collaborating with Netflix Games to create a new Assassin`s Creed game exclusively for the platform.