Netflix's Gears of War Movie Progresses, Marcus Fenix's Actor Still Unknown

The director behind The Fall Guy is reportedly in talks to helm Netflix’s highly anticipated Gears of War movie adaptation. According to The Hollywood Reporter, David Leitch, known for directing blockbuster hits such as Atomic Blonde (2017), Deadpool 2 (2018), Hobbs & Shaw (2019), and Bullet Train (2022), is in negotiations to take charge of this live-action project. Leitch will team up with his frequent collaborator Kelly McCormick to produce alongside The Coalition, the studio behind the popular third-person shooter franchise.

Jon Spaihts, the screenwriter behind Dune, is reportedly penning the screenplay for the film. This marks another step forward for the project, which Netflix acquired the rights to nearly three years ago. Additionally, an adult animated series inspired by the game is said to be in development, set to premiere following the movie. If both projects prove successful, further adaptations of the beloved franchise could follow.

One of the most pressing questions surrounding the adaptation is casting. Wrestler-turned-actor Dave Bautista has openly expressed his desire to portray the iconic protagonist, Marcus Fenix. His enthusiasm has even earned him the backing of Gears co-creator Cliff Bleszinski.

This year is proving to be a pivotal moment for video game adaptations, with films like The Super Mario Bros. Movie, A Minecraft Movie, and Sonic entries breaking box office records. Other notable adaptations include Uncharted, Mortal Kombat, and the Resident Evil series.

In related news, Microsoft’s gaming division is showing increased confidence in adapting their game properties, despite the mixed reception of the Halo TV series. Phil Spencer, head of Xbox, emphasized that lessons learned from previous ventures are fueling their optimism for future projects.

Meanwhile, The Coalition continues work on the prequel game, Gears of War: E-Day. No release date has been announced yet.

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