“Netflix Is 100% Supporting the Project” — David Leitch Says the Gears of War Adaptation Is Still Alive

After a long period of silence, Netflix’s Gears of War adaptation has finally shown signs of life. David Leitch, director of the upcoming film and known for Deadpool 2, Bullet Train, and The Fall Guy, [url=https://collider.com/netflix-gears-of-war-movie-update-david-leitch]said[/url

] that the project is not only alive, but moving forward with confidence.

According to Leitch, a draft of the script is already complete, the studio is fully committed, and Netflix is highly заинтересован in the project. If the director’s words are any indication, the adaptation has moved close to the full pre-production stage, where the start of filming is only a matter of time. Leitch also emphasized that interest in the franchise is especially high right now, since a new installment in the series — Gears of War: E-Day — is set to release this year. Developers at The Coalition, he said, are “excited” about the prospects of the film adaptation.

Attempts to bring the grim world of Gears to the big screen have been ongoing for nearly two decades. Back in 2007, New Line Cinema acquired the adaptation rights, but the project never got off the ground. Then, in 2016, Universal picked up the baton, but that attempt also led nowhere. Finally, in 2022, Netflix struck a deal with Microsoft and announced not only a feature film, but also an adult animated series.

The screenplay is being led by Jon Spaihts, best known for working on Denis Villeneuve’s Dune, as well as Prometheus and Doctor Strange. One of the biggest remaining questions is the casting. Although there have been no official announcements yet, the campaign to get Guardians of the Galaxy star Dave Bautista cast as Sergeant Marcus Fenix continues to gain momentum. The actor himself has repeatedly urged fans to pressure Netflix into “finally coming to their senses” and giving him the role. It is also worth noting that franchise creator Cliff Bleszinski fully supports Bautista’s casting.

Do you think the Gears of War movie has a chance to become a worthy adaptation, or will Netflix once again fail to do justice to a beloved gaming franchise?