As just announced by The Hollywood Reporter, Netflix has purchased the media rights to The Coalition’s Gears of War franchise, with the intention of collaborating with the developer on a feature film based on the massively successful XBOX game series.
But, wait, that’s not all! In addition to a feature film, Netflix is also pursuing an animated Gears of Wars series (from grown-ups, mind you; this thing will definitely be very bloody), with an eye towards expanding the franchise even further, be it via further features, further seasons of the animated series, or who knows what else, should it prove successful.
If you’re unfamiliar with the Gears of War franchise, the Hollywood Reporter describes the first game thusly:
The game is set on a planet on the brink of societal collapse when a monstrous threat from below in the form of underground creatures known as the Locust takes humanity to the verge of extinction. Delta Squad, a ragtag fireteam led by disgraced sergeant Marcus Fenix, is now charged with leading humanity’s last stand.
The Gears of War franchise has obviously taken that story to much bigger and more explosive places over the course of the many sequels it has released over the years, and we’re guessing that all that mythology will be up for grabs in whatever story Netflix and The Coalition decide to tell with the first film. No filmmakers or writers are yet attached to this project, but we’re guessing announcements on those fronts will be announced sooner rather than later.
Stay tuned for more on the Gears of War movie (and its accompanying animated series) as further updates become available. While you’re waiting, be sure to get your bandanas dry-cleaned, your chainsaws gassed up, and your “Dave Bautista 4 Marcus Fenix” campaigns started on social media as soon as humanly possible.
