New Regency to Finance and Distribute ASSASSIN’S CREED Film Adaptation Starring Michael Fassbender
New Regency has reportedly agreed to finance and distribute the film adaptation of Ubisoft’s hugely popular video game ASSASSIN’S CREED. Michael Fassbender (Shame, X-Men: First Class) is already attached to star and co-produce the flick that centers on a bartender named Desmond Miles who is kidnapped by a powerful corporation called Abstergo. While captive, Desmond is informed that he can use a machine of theirs called the Animus to relive his ancestors’ memories. He consents to use the machine and relives the memories of his ancestor Altaïr ibn-La’Ahad, an assassin shrouded in secrecy and feared for his ruthlessness. I’m sure you get the gist …
Regency’s CEO Brad Weston remarked:
We see this as our first big commercial action franchise property. Fassbender just did 12 Years A Slave with us, and he is as good an actor as there is right now. The storyline we are pursuing has a great narrative and because Ubisoft’s games are so character and story driven, Assassin’s Creed lends itself perfectly to our goal to re-brand Regency as a filmmaker driven company.
I’m not familiar with Assassin’s Creed — the only game I have for my PS3 is Call of Duty (I’m 25 and female… give me some credit) — but I’ve heard great things about it and the premise certainly seems well-suited for a film adaptation. The Assassin’s Creed franchise has sold over 37 million games worldwide so I don’t think the film will have any trouble finding an audience. (via Deadline)
The next question is: who should direct?