For what seems like awhile now, Sony and Ubisoft have been trying hard to get a film based off of their highly successfulAssassin’s Creed franchise off of the ground. But for a long time, it felt as if the project was simply to join the countless others that have wound up in the development graveyard. And that is exactly what makes this next announcement so surprising. It turns out that Ubisoft is ready to work behind closed doors on the film, and while the feature still has a long way to go they have already cast who will be the titular assassin in the upcoming adaptation.
Variety reports that Michael Fassbender will officially be the lead role in Assassin’s Creed after he has also reached a deal to co-produce the movie through his DMC Film. The only major question is just which assassin in the five game series will he be playing; Altair, Ezio, or Connor? This marks the first major development since Ubisoft and Sony began negotiations for a series of Assassin’s Creed films, which talks have now reportedly been put on hold.
In order to retain massive creative control, Ubisoft has decided to develop the film independently in their own headquarters, and will be looking for a writer & director next. Once that occurs, it’s said that Ubisoft will be resuming their talks with Sony in the hopes that they will distribute.
The article says that the plot “revolves around a man who learns his ancestors were trained assassins after he is kidnapped by a secret organization with ties to the Knights Templar, and sent back in time to retrieve historical artifacts”. While that properly describes the main role of Desmond, who is the character that stems into each of the ancestors noted above, it leaves very little hint as to which killer from the past the character will inhibit.
Jean-Julien Baronnet, CEO of Paris-based Ubisoft Motion Pictures, commented on the news by saying, ”Michael Fassbender was our first choice. Michael is an extremely smart, talented, versatile and committed actor. We’re open to re-discuss with the key studios once the production package is finalized.”
There’s no word yet on a production start nor release date for the film, but it’s being described as a possible summer tentpole blockbuster.
