Assassins Creed the movie is just one of many videogames properties that have been licensed for film adaptation in the last decade or so. So many videogames have hoped to be adapted to wash away the stench that was the Super Mario Bros. film out of the minds of producers and movie studios in hopes to open the proverbial floodgates or potential that lie within their carefully crafted worlds. The most successful and recognizable videogame adaptations that come to mind are the Resident Evil and Tomb Raider films, not to mention the laundry list of titles that were taken advantage of by Uwe Boll… and don’t get me started with what fighting game franchises have been putting out as films. These are certainly not the best options to reference when walking into a Hollywood meeting. The Assassins Creed franchise has enjoyed healthy sales in the realm of videogames and hopes to do what Castlevania and Metal Gear Solid have failed to do which is actually get made. New Regency has recently issued a press release stating their intent to help see that this happens.
UBISOFT® AND NEW REGENCY
PARTNER ON ASSASSIN’S CREED® FILM
Deal Builds on Attachment of Michael Fassbender
SAN FRANCISCO — October 22, 2012 —Today, Ubisoft® and New Regency announced that they are partnering on the forthcoming Assassin’s Creed® film.
Ubisoft Motion Pictures, the film and television division of Ubisoft, will develop the Assassin’s Creed film in close collaboration with New Regency. The development of a screenplay is beginning immediately and the project is being fast tracked as the creative pieces come together, while allowing Ubisoft to maintain control of key elements of the movie’s creative direction. Financial terms of the deal are not being disclosed.
“Ubisoft chose to partner with New Regency because they are a talent- and filmmaker-driven company, with the same independent and creative mindset that we have at Ubisoft Motion Pictures,” said Jean-Julien Baronnet, chief executive officer, Ubisoft Motion Pictures. “Bringing aboard New Regency’s renowned production and distribution expertise while maintaining our own creative and financial flexibility ensures that Assassin’s Creed will be a high-quality film that respects the lore and fans of the video game franchise.”
The partnership with New Regency comes hot on the heels of Ubisoft Motion Pictures attaching distinguished actor Michael Fassbender to the Assassin’s Creed film.
“We wanted to do everything we could to secure the rights to Assassin’s Creed, which Ubisoft has maintained with such care and quality over the years,” said Brad Weston, president and chief executive officer, New Regency. “Having just finished working with Michael on Steve McQueen’s 12 Years A Slave (with Plan B) made the partnership even more irresistible.”
About Ubisoft Motion Pictures
Ubisoft Motion Pictures was created in January 2011 to expand the audience of Ubisoft’s successful video game brands by bringing them to film, television and Web series.
In addition to the Assassin’s Creed movie, the studio also is in production on the Rabbids TV series, a collection of 78 seven-minute CGI episodes based on the insane, hilarious and silly stars of the video game franchise of the same name, in partnership with France Televisions and Nickelodeon. Ubisoft Motion Pictures also has two additional feature-length films in development based on the Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell and Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon video game franchises.
About New Regency
Founded in 1991 by renowned producer Arnon Milchan, New Regency Productions is actively engaged in entertaining the world via the production and distribution of motion pictures, television and sports through strategic alliances with media companies. Distributing its films through Twentieth Century Fox, Regency has produced many high-profile films over the years, including: Fight Club, Heat, JFK, Alvin and the Chipmunks, LA Confidential, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Under Siege, Free Willy, A Time To Kill, Devil’s Advocate, Tin Cup, City of Angels, The Negotiator, Entrapment, Don’t Say a Word, Unfaithful, Man on Fire, Jumper and Love & Other Drugs. Upcoming films include Broken City, The Internship, 12 Years A Slave, and Runner, Runner with Fox and Noah with Paramount. The distribution partnership with Fox extends to all media worldwide except international pay and free television. Regency self-distributes international television rights to multiple licensees. For more information, log ontohttp://www.newregency.com/
About Ubisoft
Ubisoft is a leading producer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment products worldwide and has grown considerably through a strong and diversified line-up of products and partnerships. Ubisoft has offices in 26 countries and has sales in more than 55 countries around the globe. It is committed to delivering high-quality, cutting-edge video game titles to consumers. For the 2011-12 fiscal year Ubisoft generated sales of € 1.061 billion. To learn more, please visit www.ubisoftgroup.com.
About Assassin’s Creed:
Initially launched in 2007, the first four Assassin’s Creed games have sold more than 38 million units worldwide, and the franchise is now established as one of the best-selling series ever. Recognized for having some of the richest, most engrossing storytelling in the industry, Assassin’s Creed transcends video games, branching out into other entertainment experiences including comic books, Facebook games, novels, short films and more.
Really dense but at the heart of all of this is the fact that they’re trying to further the momentum started when Michael Fassbender pledged his allegiance to this film earlier this year. Smart move as I’m not clear as to what capacity they’ve secured Fassbender’s participation in the film. He’s an actor, and can certainly take a shot at the role of Altair or whatever Assassin they choose to choose go with but I don’t see that confirmed as taking on the starring role or even confirmation of a script. I like that they’re building momentum and I’m rooting for them, but don’t expect me to get emotionally invested,I’ve been hurt by people like them before.
Source: New Regency
