Netflix preps Assassin’s Creed, int’l dramas

Michael Fassbender in the 2016 film version of Assassin’s Creed

Netflix has commissioned a live-action series based on video game franchise Assassin’s Creed, alongside ordering a Latin American action drama and a Tamil anthology series.

The global streamer has teamed up with video game company Ubisoft for the live-action Assassin’s Creed series, while animated and anime projects based on the franchise are also in the works.

Netflix is currently looking for a showrunner to helm the series, which it described as a genre-bending live-action adaptation. Ubisoft Film & Television’s Jason Altman and Danielle Kreinik will serve as executive producers.

It comes after a film based on the game franchise, with Michael Fassbender in the lead role, was released in 2016 to mixed reviews and underperformed at the box office.

Peter Friedlander, VP of original series at Netflix, said: “From its breathtaking historical worlds and massive global appeal as one of the bestselling video game franchises of all time, we are committed to carefully crafting epic and thrilling entertainment based on this distinct IP and providing a deeper dive for fans and our members around the world to enjoy.”

Federico Cuervo

Meanwhile, Netflix is working with ViacomCBS International Studios (VIS) and Latin American prodco Dynamo on Dale Gas in Mexico City, with a premiere due early in 2021.

The 10×45’ series tells the story of Kike Guerrero, a talented street-racing driver who fights to live an honest life but is forced to return to Monterrey, the place where his family became powerful in the world of automobile crime.

Starring Benny Emmanuel, Andrés Delgado and Renata Vaca, the action series was created by director Alejandro Fernández, who will share directing duties with Ernesto Contreras and Edgar Nito.

David Figueroa, Itzel Lara and Alfredo Mendoza will be the show’s screenwriters, with Andrés Calderón and Juliana Florez exec producing.

Federico Cuervo, head of VIS Americas, said: “The production will use the state-of-the-art technology to delight audiences with non-stop action and adrenaline.”

Finally, Tamil anthology Navarasa will feature nine short films focusing on the emotions of anger, compassion, courage, disgust, fear, laughter, love, peace and wonder, respectively.

Presented by Mani Ratnam and Jayendra Panchapakesan, each film will be helmed by a different director. The films will feature more than 40 actors and several hundred creative and film technicians.

Netflix said the creative community of Tamil cinema had “united to send a strong message of solidarity and resilience and graciously offer their services pro-bono. They will contribute the proceeds from the films towards the wellbeing of film workers in Tamil cinema impacted by the pandemic.”

Srishti Arya, director of international original film at Netflix India, said: “We admire how this wonderful ensemble of filmmakers and talent have joined hands to support the creative community. Navarasa is a celebration of the craft of filmmaking and the magic of Tamil cinema that we can’t wait to take to the world.”