When it comes to film adaptations of video games, we generally hold two perceptions as incontrovertible facts: they either suck, or they’re announced and never actually made. If you thought the latter was the case with the rumored Assassin’s Creed movie, Ubisoft wants you to think again. The former on the other hand…well, that has yet to be proven.
Ubisoft announced today that its Ubisoft Motion Pictures division has “fast-tracked” the film (we’re not exactly sure what that entails, either) and has partnered with production company New Regency to get the ball rolling.
The deal allows Ubisoft to retain creative control of the project and prevent it from becoming the exclusive vision of the yet-to-be-named director or producer. Ubisoft Motion Pictures chief executive officer Jean-Julien Baronnet had this to say of the announced partnership:
“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.”
“Fast-tracked” could very well mean that the initial pieces are being placed to ensure that the AC movie doesn’t join other video game counterparts in the list of franchises rumored to have a coming film adaptation only to see it be shelved later on. But then again, if you’re cynics like us, “fast-tracked” may imply that Ubisoft is hoping to slop a big-screen production together, relatively unconcerned with quality, and release it while the Assassin’s Creed franchise remains popular and economically viable with fans. Ubisoft currently doesn’t have a strong resume when it comes to film adaptations of video games. Don’t take our word for it, just ask Jake Gyllenhaal.
New Regency’s past projects include Fight Club and Mr. and Mrs. Smith and the company is producing Darren Aronofsky’s upcoming biblical epic, Noah, which is set to feature Russell Crowe, Jennifer Connelly, and Emma Watson. Though writing for the Assassin’s Creed script is set to begin immediately, according to Ubisoft, no major players have been tied to the film with the exception of the previously reported announcement that Michael Fassbender would “star.”
Source: GameSpot
