Netflix is deep into development on its Gears of War movie, and it’s been revealed that they now have Jon Spaihts, known for his work on Dune and Doctor Strange, as the film’s writer. The live-action movie adaptation of the popular media franchise from Epic Games that The Coalition developed and currently manages for Xbox Game Studios is really happening on Netflix.
Moreover, Netflix also officially announced last year that they would be developing an animated series set in the Gears Of War universe. It seems they have plans for other projects in the same universe as well.
The live-action movie now has Spaihts as its writer, and it is The Coalition’s belief that they could have asked for a better person to pen the film’s script. If it’s any indication, Spaihts has his Oscar and BAFTA nominations to prove his mettle for fantasy, epic adaptation from page to screen. His work with Denis Villeneuve and Eric Roth for Dune: Part One last 2021 bagged him those nominations.
That movie raked in $391.7M at the worldwide box office from a $165M budget. It isn’t an easy feat considering the restrictions on public activity during that year. In addition, most moviegoers would have the impression that the movie is too heavy in its lore and serious in its delivery to get become as popular as other sci-fi/fantasy epic films. Yet, the movie boasts an 83% rating on the Tomatometer with a 90% audience score.
Gears of War is a franchise centred on a series of video games created by Epic Games, developed and managed by The Coalition, and owned and published by Xbox Game Studios. The franchise is best known for its third-person shooter video games, which have been supplemented by spin-off video game titles, a DC comic book series, seven novels, a board game adaptation and various merchandise.
Gears Of War Welcomes Jon Spaihts As Writer
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Variety, first, reports the important development in the movie stating that Netflix has just gotten Jon Spaihts on board for the live-action adaptation of Gears of War. A statement from The Coalition reads:
We’re thrilled to partner with Jon and the Netflix team to bring ‘Gears of War’ to life. 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.
Meanwhile, the writer expresses his anticipation of working with the franchise. Spaihts 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.
Gears of War is the game that redefined the tactical third-person and cooperative shooter genre. It would be interesting to see how this significant aspect of the game will be translated into live-action. We can only imagine the storyline he will be coming up with for the movie.
Based on his statement, it seems he will be focusing on the characters that comprise the team around which the movie will revolve in.
Hopefully, Spaihts will be able to create a world from which other stories can spin off from. As this seems to be a very ambitious project for Netflix and The Coalition, they need someone who can bring action and fantasy together in their movie.
Spaihts’ capacity to also bring focus to the hero mindset can be exemplified in his work in Doctor Strange back in 2016. The movie even got him and collaborators Scott Derrickson and C. Robert Cargill a nomination for Best Writing in the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films in the US.
Thus, Spaihts penning the script and screenplay for Gears Of War is a positive development for franchise fans.
Jon Spaihts Writes Live Action Adaptation Of Gears Of War
Credit: Xbox Game Studios
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Steadily, video games are getting better adapted for the big and small screens. Understandably, some fans of the game may have apprehensions as to the developing project. They have been disappointed one too many times by other titles.
In addition, some fans are wary of the fact that Netflix’s The Witcher, which is also an adaptation of the video game and novels from Andrzej Sapkowski, is deviating from the original material. A fact that is the cause of the series losing its lead actor Henry Cavill in the first place.
However, Gears of War can be different thanks to the fact that Spaihts is a fan of the game itself. If deviations are made, it is possible that these changes will have solid and logical grounds
What do you think of Jon Spaihts being the writer for Netflix’s Gears of War? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
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