The streaming service Netflix is snapping up one video game licence after another. We reveal what you can expect: from Cyberpunk to Assassin’s Creed to Sonic or Castlevania.
A good video game does not automatically make a good film – Hollywood had to learn this lesson over and over again. But in the meantime, the “curse of bad video game adaptations” seems to have been broken with adaptations of Castlevania or The Witcher (even if this is strictly speaking a film adaptation of a novel) by Netflix. After all, these productions enjoyed great popularity among critics and fans alike.
And so Netflix will bring more and more stories of our favourite hobby to the small screen in the future. Because it is easy to lose track of the numerous films and TV series that have been announced, we have listed 20 upcoming and officially confirmed productions of the streaming service in the following overview.
The planned Netflix projects are divided into the following categories:
– Live-action films
– Animation and anime films
– Live-action series
– Animation and anime series
Table of Contents
These live action movies Netflix is planning
The Division
– Start: Unknown
– Behind the scenes: Rawson Marshall Thurber (Skyscraper) as director.
– Cast: Jake Gyllenhaal, Jessica Chastain
What it’s about: Netflix’s film adaptation of The Division is pretty much based on its original in terms of story: after a deadly virus brought the US metropolis of New York to its knees in the near future, lawlessness and chaos reign on the streets of the metropolis of millions.
That’s why what’s left of the American government calls on the so-called Division: a special unit of trained soldiers who venture into the heart of darkness to save the lives of civilians in need.
Here’s what else to know: Action expert David Leitch was originally hired to direct Ubisoft’s adaptation of The Division. The director previously set the stage for films such as Deadpool 2 and Hobbs and Shaw, and was also heavily involved in the John Wick and Atomic Blonde productions.
As Deadline reported in February 2021, Leitch had to give up directing The Division due to scheduling conflicts. He will be replaced by filmmaker Rawson Marshall Thurber, who is known for productions such as Dodgeball, We’re the Millers or Skyscraper. Leitch will remain involved as a producer.
Jake Gyllenhaal and Jessica Chastain are to take on the leading roles in The Division. The Netflix film has been in production since 2020, but due to the ongoing Corona pandemic, fans should not expect a release before 2022. After all, filming couldn’t even take place yet.
Beyond Good and Evil
– Start: Unknown
– Behind the Scenes: Rob Letterman (Master Detective Pikachu) as Director
– Cast: Unknown
What it’s about: There are currently no details about the plot of the film adaptation of Beyond Good and Evil. So we don’t know whether the adaptation will rework the story of the video games or tell something of its own. So fans will have to be patient for a little while longer, as the project was still in a very early stage of development as of July 2020.
What else there is to know: Beyond Good and Evil is to be a kind of mixture of a live-action and animated film. This means that real actors will meet computer-generated characters – not unlike Master Detective Pikachu.
These animated and anime films are planned by Netflix
The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf
Start: 23. August 2021
Behind the Scenes: Laura S. Hissrich and Studio Mir
Cast: Theo James as Vesemir, Graham McTavish as Deglan, Lara Pulver as Tetra, Mary McDonnel as Lady Zerbst
What it’s about: Nightmare of the Wolf will be an anime prequel to the Witcher series starring Henry Cavill. The plot will centre on Geralt’s mentor and sorcerer Vesemir, who fans may already know from The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt.
The plot itself will revolve around how Vesemir himself earns his spurs as a young sorcerer under the wing of his own mentor Deglan. In the film, however, Vesemir will even question his own guild – so morally serious decisions are likely to play a role. In addition, it will be thematised that sorcerers and mages once got along well with each other, but that this also changed over time and what the reasons behind this are.
What else there is to know: Behind the scenes, the showrunner of the Witcher series Lauren S. Hissrich is responsible for Nightmare of the Wolf. For the anime, Hissrich is working with the Korean studio Mir (The Legend of Korra). The script is being written by Beau DeMayo, who was also involved in season 1 of The Witcher.
These live action series are planned by Netflix
Assassin’s Creed
Start: Unknown
Behind the scenes: Jason Altman and Danielle Kreinik as executive producers.
Cast: Unknown
Netflix will be developing an Assassin's Creed live-action series. @Ubisofts's Jason Altman and Danielle Kreinik will serve as Executive Producers
— Netflix Geeked (@NetflixGeeked) October 27, 2020
That’s what it’s about: There is currently no information on the story of the Netflix series Assassin’s Creed. We simply don’t know if the project directly links to the Ubisoft games or even to the movie starring Michael Fassbender as Cal Lynch. The live-action series could go its own way entirely, as broad as the universe of the Assassin’s Creed games is.
This is what else there is to know: A live-action series on Assassin’s Creed could just be the beginning. Both Ubisoft and Netflix are keeping open the possibility of producing an anime series as well as an animated series on the assassin series in the future
Resident Evil
Start: Unknown
Behind the Scenes: Andrew Dabb (Supernatural), Robert Kulzer (Resident Evil), Brownen Hughes (The Walking Dead)
Cast: Ella Balinska, Tamara Smart, Siena Agudong, Adeline Rudolph, Paola Nunez, Lance Reddick as Dr. Albert Wesker
Been dying to announce this. Get ready to enter New Raccoon City with the cast of RESIDENT EVIL: LANCE REDDICK / ELLA BALINSKA / TAMARA SMART / SIENA AGUDONG / ADELINE RUDOLPH / PAOLA NUNEZ. #GeekedWeek pic.twitter.com/ULKEFuYdAr
— Netflix Geeked (@NetflixGeeked) June 11, 2021
This is what it’s about: The Netflix series Resident Evil will not be a direct adaptation of the video games, but rather takes “inspiration” from its template. The story revolves around Jade and Billie Wesker – the daughters of Albert Wesker (Lance Reddick from John Wick) – and takes place on several time levels.
In 2022 we accompany the two heroines of the TV series through the utopian small town of Raccoon 2, while in 2036 we switch to a post-apocalyptic London. Albert Wesker is not a super-villain like in the video games, but a 60-year-old, sympathetic father figure. Nevertheless, there is talk of “a dark past”.
Umbrella is also in the game, but this time not as a diabolical corporation, but as a newly founded state of the post-apocalypse. While Jade and Billie are still fighting side by side in 2022, Jade is on her own in 2036 and tries to get to the bottom of the cause of the end of the world.
Other things to know: A feature film is currently planned for Resident Evil, which will adapt the first two main parts of the video game series. It will be directed by Johannes Roberts (47 Meters Down), while the cast has already been found for the iconic video characters Chris Redfield, Jill Valentine, Claire Redfield, Leon S. Kennedy, Albert Wesker and co.
The Witcher
Start of season 2: 17 December 2021.
Behind the Scenes: Lauren S. Hissrich
Cast: Henry Cavill, Anya Chalotra, Freya Allen
This is what it’s all about: Yes, strictly speaking, The Witcher is an adaptation of the novels by author Andrzej Sapkowsi and not the video games by CD Projekt Red. Nevertheless, it was precisely these games that caused an enormous increase in the popularity of the series and made it possible for the TV series to come into being in the first place. Moreover, we should not forget that the main character Henry Cavill is also a passionate video game fan.
After season 1, the story of Geralt, Ciri and Yennefer will continue with the second season. There is currently no official content announcement, but information from the shooting and casting already allow first conclusions.
Among other things, the story will go to the sorcerer’s fortress Kaer Morhen, where Geralt will meet his colleagues Vesemir (Kim Bodnia), Eskel (Basil Eidenbenz), Coen (Yasen Atour) and Lambert (Paul Bullion). Probably to house Ciri there in the meantime and to rush to the rescue of Yennefer, who is in Nilfgaard captivity after season 1.
We also know that season 2 of The Witcher will pick up the popular short story about Nivellen. Kristofer Hivju, known to fantasy fans as Tormund Riesentod from Game of Thrones, will take on the role of Nivellen.
What else there is to know: The production of the second season of The Witcher has already had to be interrupted several times due to the ongoing Corona pandemic and also the injuries to leading actor Henry Cavill. In the meantime, the release date for Season 2 has been set: On 17 December 2021, Geralt will once again wield his silver blade.
The Witcher: Blood Origin
Start: Probably in summer 2022
Behind the Scenes: Lauren S. Hissrich and Declan De Barra
Cast: Laurence O’Fuarain as Fjall, Jacob Collins-Levy as Eredin
This is what it’s all about: With Blood Origin, The Witcher gets a live-action series that acts as a prequel to the story of Geralt, Yennefer, Ciri and co. 1,200 years before Geralt’s Witcher career, it will be about the origins of the first representatives of his guild. In the course of Blood Origin, we may witness the so-called conjunction of the spheres, which caused the worlds of humans, elves and monsters to merge.
In the meantime, actress Jodie Turner-Smith has been cast as Eile “the Lark” Lithe for Blood Origin: An elite warrior with the voice of a goddess who leaves her clan and her position as the Queen’s bodyguard to roam the land as a singer. In the meantime, however, Turner-Smith had to leave the project again and was replaced by Michelle Yeoh (Star Trek Discovery).
Also said to be set for the prequel is Jacob Collins-Levy (The Young Wallander, Doctor Who) to play Eredin, who fans already know as the villain from The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. Laurence O’Fuarain (Game of Thrones, Vikings) also stars as Fjall – a traumatised warrior out for revenge.
What else to know: As with the main Witcher series and the anime Nightmare of the Wolf, Lauren S. Hissrich is responsible for the prequel. For this, Hissrich is working together with Declan De Barra, who is also involved in Witcher as a writer.
By the way, many fans would like to see Jason Momoa (Game of Thrones, Aquaman) in the role of the first Witcher. Whether this dream casting will come true, however, remains to be seen.
Pokémon
Start: Unknown
Behind the Scenes: Joe Henderson (Lucifer) as producer and writer.
Cast: Unknown
This is what it’s about: According to a report from Variety, Netflix is working on a live-action series set in the Pokémon universe. The movie Detective Pikachu with Ryan Reynolds is to serve as the model. There are currently no concrete details about the plot, actors or a release date.
Here’s what else there is to know: Behind the scenes, Joe Henderson is responsible for the new Pokémon series as producer and writer. Fans of Lucifer should already be familiar with Henderson, whose sixth and final season is being released on Netflix.
These animated and anime series are planned by Netflix
Cyberpunk: Edgerunner
Start: 2022
Behind the Scenes: Studio Trigger
Cast: Unknown
That’s what it’s about: The story of Edgerunner aligns itself with the universe of Cyberpunk 2077. The anime series is supposed to tell a new story about previously unknown heroes. The focus is on the protagonist who decides to become an Edgerunner – a kind of mercenary who also poses a deadly threat due to their skills as hackers.
What else there is to know: A total of ten episodes are planned for season 1 of Cyberpunk 2077. Whether and how it will continue after that remains open at the moment. The start of the anime series is planned for 2022. The main people responsible for the project are Studio Trigger (Little Witch Academia), Hiroyuki Imaishi (Promare, Masahiko Otsuka (Gurren Lagann) and Hiromi Wakabayashi (Kill la Kill).
Tomb Raider
What it’s about: With the planned anime series, Netflix continues the story of the reboot trilogy Tomb Raider, Rise of the Tomb Raider and Shadow of the Tomb Raider. Lara Croft will once again be at the centre of the story, but details about her adventures on Netflix are still awaited.
What else to know: In addition to the planned Netflix series, the Tomb Raider movie starring Alicia Vikander will also be continued. The project will be directed by Misha Green – but Tomb Raider 2 has nothing to do with the Netflix series
Splinter Cell
Start: Unknown
Behind the Scenes: Derek Kolstad
Cast: Unknown
What it’s about: The Splinter Cell video game series has always revolved around secret agent Sam Fisher, who sneaks through a wide variety of conflicts and war scenarios and quite routinely saves the world. What story the animated series actually tells remains open at the moment, but we can assume that the Netflix adaptation will go in a similar direction. Apart from a first teaser image showing an older Sam Fisher, there is not much to see yet:
Here's your first look at the Splinter Cell animated series, an adaptation of the bestselling @Ubisoft game.
Derek Kolstad, creator of the John Wick franchise, is onboard to write the series.
#GeekedWeek pic.twitter.com/c3vjJV0wfR— Netflix Geeked (@NetflixGeeked) June 11, 2021
This is what else there is to know: Derek Kolstad (John Wick), an action specialist, has been hired for the Splinter Cell series. Netflix commissioned two seasons with a total of 16 episodes from the beginning.
Incidentally, a Splinter Cell feature film was even planned for 2012, with Tom Hardy (Mad Max: Fury Road, The Dark Knight Rises) in mind. However, this project did not really go ahead.
Castlevania
Start: Available on Netflix since 2017, season 4 available since 13 May 2021.
Behind the Scenes: Adi Shankar as showrunner, Warren Ellis as writer.
Cast: James Callis, Richard Armitage, Alejandra Reynoso
What it’s about: As in the video game, Castlevania is all about putting a stop to the diabolical Count Dracula in the late 15th century. To do this, vampire hunter Trevor Belmont, bloodsucker offspring Alucard, priestess Sypha Benade and thief Grant Danasty join forces.
In the meantime, four seasons of Castlevania have been published and the story has been told for the time being. However, Castlevania is not over. A spinoff has already been announced.
What else there is to know: Adi Shankar might already be a familiar name to film fans: The showrunner previously worked on unofficial adaptations like Punisher: Dirty Laundry, Venom: Truth in Journalism, Power/Rangers or James Bond: Agent of Nothing. These productions revisit familiar franchises but have a particularly dark and brutal undertone.
Castlevania spin-off
Start: Unknown
Behind the Scenes: Netflix
Cast: Unknown
The Castlevania Universe is getting even bigger.
An all new series starring Richter Belmont (the son of Sypha and Trevor) and Maria Renard, set in France during the French Revolution, is currently in the works. #GeekedWeek pic.twitter.com/tsdeDpvNGQ
— Netflix Geeked (@NetflixGeeked) June 11, 2021
That’s what it’s about: The new series transports Castlevania to the Paris of 1792, where the French Revolution is currently raging. The focus this time is on Judge Belmont, son of Sypha and Trevor, and Maria Renard. The makers have not yet revealed any further details.
What else there is to know: The scenario of the series has already existed as a video game. Castlevania: Rondo of Blood was also set in 1792, while the events of Castlevania: Symphony of the Night followed five years later. Whether the new Castlevania series will also follow this path cannot be said at the moment.
League of Legends: Arcane
Start: Autumn 2021
Behind the scenes: Netflix in collaboration with Riot Games
Cast: Unknown
What it’s about: There are currently no concrete details about the story of the LoL series. The first scenes at least show that the plot revolves around the sisters Jinx and Vii. Both characters could hardly be more different: Jinx is described as a “crazy criminal from Zhaun”, Vii has meanwhile worked her way up to the upper world of Piltover.
This is what else there is to know: The TV series based on the League of legends universe was first introduced in 2019 – on the occasion of Riot Games’ tenth anniversary. It wasn’t until May 2021 that a first teaser trailer was released, but it remains quite compact: Only 19 seconds of footage is shown, which at least gets us in the mood for the style of the animated series.
Devil May Cry
Start: Unknown
Behind the scenes: Adi Shankar as showrunner
Cast: Unknown
That’s what it’s about: Plot details of the Devil May Cry series are not available at present. However, since Adi Shankar, executive producer of the Castlevania and Blood Dragon series on Netflix, is behind the project, it is reasonable to assume that we will see a retelling of the story of the demon hunter Dante.
In doing so, Shankar plans to turn animated productions like Castlevania and Devil May Cry into a kind of “multiverse”. How much the two video game universes will overlap in the course of a joint anime crossover remains to be seen. Already exciting: In season 3 of Castlevania, fans discovered the sword of Dante.
Other things to know: There have already been series adaptations of Devil May Cry before. For example, a 12-episode anime by the studio Greenhouse, which was released and produced in 2007
The Cuphead Show!
Start: 2021
Behind the Scenes: Netflix Animation and StudioMDHR
Cast: Tru Valentino, Frank Todaro, Luke Millington-Draje
That’s what it’s about: The Cuphead Show is meant to pick up on the adventures of Cuphead and Mugman from the video game template: In the game itself, the two cupheads make a deal with the devil – who, of course, rips them off. As a result, the two have to collect debts from other beings who have also traded with the devil. Then he “maybe” leaves them in peace.
What else there is to know: Scenes from The Cuphead Show were presented for the first time at the Annecy Animated Film Festival, but official material on the TV series is still a long time coming. Originally, the Netflix project was supposed to start in 2020, but it is currently expected to be released in 2021.
Sonic Prime
Start: 2022
Behind the Scenes: WildBrain
Cast: Unknown
Yes, it's true! SEGA’s legendary video game icon Sonic the Hedgehog will star in a new 3D animated series from @SEGA, @WildBrainStudio and @ManOfActionEnt premiering on Netflix in 2022. pic.twitter.com/ydJto8c8i8
— Netflix Geeked (@NetflixGeeked) February 1, 2021
What it’s about: Sonic the Hedgehog is getting an animated series under the title Sonic Prime, aimed at kids, families and long-time fans. The story revolves around Sonic himself, who tries to save the multiverse in a race against time. There are currently no more concrete details about the plot.
What else there is to know: Season 1 of Sonic Prime will have 24 episodes. Whether several seasons are planned is currently unknown. Responsible for Sonic Prime is WildBrain, who previously worked on animated projects such as Ninjago: Masters of Spinjitzu, Carmen Sandiego or Snoopy in Space.
Dota: Dragon’s Blood
Start: 25 March 2021
Behind the Scenes: Netflix and Valve
Cast: Yuri Lowenthal, Lara Pulver, Dee Bradley Baker
What’s it about? You experience the world and lore of Valve’s MOBA Dota 2 in an epic adventure that revolves around the dragon knight Davion. He has made it his mission to destroy the evil in the land. But when he encounters an Eldworm dragon in battle and meets Princess Mirana, it sets in motion events beyond the warrior’s imagination.
What else is there to know? The first season consists of eight episodes. Another season is already in the works, but there is no info on it yet. However, Valve and Netflix are happy with the success of the anime.
Far Cry
Start: Unknown
Behind the Scenes: Netflix and Ubisoft
Cast: Unknown
Netflix and @Ubisoft are developing a brand new Far Cry animated series. #GeekedWeek pic.twitter.com/BX4FkS9v5r
— Netflix Geeked (@NetflixGeeked) June 11, 2021
That’s what it’s about: Details on the content of the upcoming Far Cry series are not yet available. Word from Netflix is that it will be an animated series for adults. Whether the creators will tell a completely new story in the universe of the first-person shooter brand or possibly pick up on previous stories is not yet known.
What else is there to know: Far Cry has already been filmed once – in 2008 by director Uwe Boll. Based on the premise of the first part of the series, none other than Til Schweiger took on the role of protagonist Jack Carver, who makes the acquaintance of super soldiers on a tropical island. However, the realisation was not all that successful.
Captain Laserhawk: A Blood Dragon Remix
Start: Unknown
Behind the Scenes: Adi Shankar as Showrunner
Cast: Unknown
What it’s about: For Far Cry 3, Ubisoft once released the spin-off Far Cry: Blood Dragon, which unceremoniously shifted the first-person shooter to an 80s sci-fi setting. For Captain Laserhawk, the scenario is taken up again, this time creating its own universe. Captain Laserhawk is to be set in a dystopian cyberpunk scenario of 1992, according to showrunner Adi Shankar.
What else to know: Captain Laserhawk is not to remain the only Blood Dragon-related project. Instead, Ubisoft allowed Adi Shankar and his team to use the full range of the French publisher’s house brands. Which ones are on the schedule, however, is still unknown.
These new video game adaptations are already underway
Resident Evil: Infinite Darkness
Start: 8 July 2021.
Behind the Scenes: Hiroyuki Kobayashi, TMS Entertainment, Quebico
Cast: Nick Apostolides, Stephanie Panisello, Ray Chase
This is what it’s about: Currently, not only a live-action series as well as a feature film on Resident Evil are in the works, but also a CGI series for the streaming service Netflix: Infinite Darkness revolves around the two veterans of the series Leon S. Kennedy and Claire Redfield, who already had an adventure together in the video game Resident Evil 2 – at least more or less.
In the history of the Resident Evil series, Infinite Darkness is set after the events of Part 4. In 2006, the White House summons Leon Kennedy to investigate a hacking attack, while Claire has meanwhile tracked down a new virus outbreak. Clearly, the paths of the two cross once again.
What else there is to know: Infinite Darkness is by no means the first CGI project for Resident Evil: Previously, there were animated films such as Degeneration (2008), Damnation (2012) and Vendetta (2017), which mainly revolve around Leon S. Kennedy, but also characters such as Chris Redfield, Ada Wong or Rebecca Chambers.
Which video game adaptation are you most looking forward to? Which title would you like to see Netflix adapt? Let us know in the comments.
