Ubisoft’s Bold Bet on Transmedia Storytelling

Netflix has finally confirmed that it plans to proceed with a live-action adaptation of Assassin’s Creed, the Ubisoft-owned video game franchise. The project was first announced back in 2020, but its development had been in flux for quite some time, and had often appeared as if it was never going to move forward at all. Now, though, at long last, it’s gaining some steam.

The streaming service has revealed that two showrunners will be taking the reins on the project, as Roberto Patino and David Wiener will serve as the series’ producers. Patino is known for shows such as Sons of Anarchy and Westworld, and Wiener has previously been showrunner for Paramount+’s live-action Halo series as well as a writer-producer for AMC’s Fear the Walking Dead. The writers’ statement reveals that both are huge fans of the series and that they plan to bring both sci-fi and character-driven sensibilities to their adaptation.

The two showrunners released a joint statement on their involvement with the series and how they plan to treat their adaptation of the popular video game series.

“We’re big fans of Assassin’s Creed, having played the games since the first one came out in 2007,” they said. “Every day we’re immersed in the world of the show, we’re struck by how big it is and how rich the storytelling is. It’s a series with non-stop action and blockbuster history, but at its heart, the story is about identity, purpose, faith, and humanity. It’s about the things that connect us through the ages.”

The showrunners also wanted to make clear that the series would not just be a “popcorn spectacle.” They mentioned that it would get into some of the more poignant and character-based themes in the Assassin’s Creed series as well. “This is a show about human connection, and how easily it can be lost. What does it mean to be human, and what makes us connect, through time, across cultures?” they said. “The team at Ubisoft is committed to the success of this show and has provided us with an incredible level of support, as has Netflix, and we are ready to get to work and make something special for fans everywhere.”

Series with a Strong Connection to World History and Culture

Fans have been playing Assassin’s Creed for 18 years, with the very first title debuting back in 2007. The original Assassin’s Creed was set in a unique take on “social stealth” during the time of the Crusades and the Holy Land, but that shifted to Italy for the next three games, Assassin’s Creed II, Brotherhood, and Revelations. These are considered by many fans and critics alike as the high point of the franchise, and introduced many of the most popular elements found in the series, like the character Ezio Auditore.

Since then, 13 other mainline Assassin’s Creed games have been released, all taking place in different eras and locales, from the Revolutionary America of Assassin’s Creed III to the Viking-invasion-era Britain of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. Some titles have been smaller spinoffs or focusing on less canonical side characters like the pirate captains of Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag, or the ninja Ezio Auditore’s son in Assassin’s Creed: Shadows.

Assassin’s Creed: Shadows just launched a few months back, and it has been very well received. The game has often been delayed in recent years, but the long interval between release and development was also due to its historical setting of feudal Japan. This was a setting that many fans had long asked for, and now it has finally been realized with both Assassin’s Creed 4 and Shadow. The attention to historical detail in Japan was a part of what made Shadows such a success, and fans are hoping that this same care will carry over into the series as well.

For now, though, it is mostly the secrecy of the show itself that is keeping fans happy. The television series is expected to use the basic premise that many fans of the series already know about, with present-day characters reliving the memories of their ancestors through genetic memory, as they fight in the clash between the Assassins and the Templars. However, with no information on the casting, possible inclusions of the actual original Animus tech of the games, or which historic period the show might cover, there’s a lot left to the imagination.

Past Assassin’s Creed Live-Action Adaptations Haven’t Been Kindly Received

The Assassin’s Creed franchise has seen a less-than-stellar live-action adaptation in the past as well, in the form of the feature film Assassin’s Creed. Starring Michael Fassbender, the feature film had a fairly underwhelming reception for a big-budget production and had a mediocre run at the box office in 2016. It is currently unclear if the Netflix series will reference or connect to this film in any way, but most signs currently point to the two existing on separate continuities.

The television series comes at a time when such video game adaptations are finally being embraced by popular entertainment and the audiences they serve. HBO’s The Last of Us is an example of how gaming material can be successful on the small screen, and with genre storytelling being a major focus for Netflix, Assassin’s Creed is likely to find success if handled well.

Game Adaptations at a More Prominent Place in Pop Culture

Despite the very wide scope of the Assassin’s Creed series itself, the challenges of fitting the series into an actual television show are still there. The video game franchise crosses cultures, centuries, and civilizations, and keeping the balance between all these disparate elements will be a key factor in determining whether the show will be successful. Fans are certainly looking forward to seeing how Patino and Wiener approach the story, as long as the series can at least attempt to adhere to the themes and tone of the games.

While fans wait for further updates on the release window, casting choices, or even what era the series will focus on first, at least the announcement of progress on the project itself is exciting. With two experienced showrunners leading the project with support from Ubisoft as well as Netflix, it may finally be the Assassin’s Creed series’ time to shine in live-action adaptation.