The Assassin's Creed series on Netflix officially gets the green light

Five years after the announcement of the live-action Assassin's Creed series, Ubisoft provides an update on the project. It's very positive because Netflix has just given the green light for its production. Patience will be a virtue, but the series will indeed see the light of day on the streaming service.

A Successful Saga

On November 13, 2007, a brand new game made its appearance on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. Its name? Assassin's Creed. Created by Ubisoft Montreal, and particularly by Patrice Désilets, the title captivates with its original universe and quality production. What grabs attention is that players can embody Altaïr, an assassin who operates in the shadows to eliminate several targets. Action, adventure, and stealth blend in a formula that adds parkour. By removing aids, it is even possible to fully immerse oneself in the game. This first attempt also introduced the Animus, a machine used by Desmond Miles, the character we embody in the present, to relive the adventures of his ancestor Altaïr. This also opened the way to the possibility of exploring the memories of other ancestors.

By playing on this point, Ubisoft was able to develop sequels exploring new historical periods, anchoring real elements to the fictional narrative, and allowing players to embody other heroes. Among the most famous, we remember Ezio Auditore, Connor (Ratonhnhaké:ton), Edward Kenway, and Arno Victor Dorian, to name a few. The publisher has grown the saga, even attempting some different approaches, like with the trio of Assassin's Creed Chronicles. It wasn't until 2017 that the publisher made a strong decision by giving the franchise a new lease of life with Assassin's Creed Origins.

Ubisoft then introduced a whole RPG element supported by an overhaul of the combat system. This installment is denser, more comprehensive, and it offers a magnificent tour of Egypt. The formula was then reused for the AC Odyssey and AC Valhalla installments. Then, in 2023, Ubisoft opted for a very pleasant return to the roots with AC Mirage. The title was particularly appreciated at the Metropolis Chronicle, as evidenced by the review published in our columns. After a short break, the series returned to the spotlight with AC Shadows, an episode set in Japan, thus fulfilling the dream of thousands, if not millions, of fans of the saga.

Derivative Projects

Faced with the enthusiasm of fans around the franchise, Ubisoft quickly sought to capitalize on it by developing multiple derivative products over time. An excellent way to provide a new entry point for newcomers. Besides the multiple figurines and items in the colors of certain installments, the French publisher developed three short films, namely Lineage (which was initially broadcast in three parts), Ascendance, and Embers. To this are added several novels and other comics, as well as a feature film released in 2016.

This film, directed by Justin Kurzel, placed Michael Fassbender in the role of Callum Lynch, the descendant of Aguilar de Nerha, whom he also portrays in the sessions that recount the memories of the Spanish Inquisition associated with him. It features one of the recurring themes of the franchise, namely the struggle between the Assassins and the Templars.

The Netflix live-action series

In 2020, Ubisoft announced it had partnered with Netflix to produce an Assassin’s Creed series using live-action footage. In other words, it will be a live-action series. Then, years passed, the project remained in the back of some minds, with the hope that it would return to the spotlight one day. That day has now arrived. Ubisoft has released an official statement announcing that Netflix has finally given the green light. The Assassin’s Creed series will indeed come to life on the platform with the red N.

Better yet, two fans of the franchise, namely Roberto Patino (DMZ, Westworld, Sons of Anarchy) and David Wiener (Halo, Homecoming, The Killing) are at the helm. They will have three roles, namely creators, showrunners, and executive producers. They indicate that the series will take the form of a thriller with its central point being the secret war waged by the Assassins and the Templars. To echo the diversity of the games, the series will feature multiple characters through various historical events.

Margaret Boykin, executive producer and head of content at Ubisoft Film & Television, stated: “We are eager to offer an experience that speaks to the heart of what fans love in Assassin’s Creed, while introducing its unforgettable worlds and timeless themes to new audiences worldwide.”

The goal is clear: Ubisoft wants to please fans as much as attract newcomers. Who knows, maybe the latter, upon discovering the series, will dive into the games... In any case, Roberto Patino and David Wiener promise to highlight “beings in search of meaning, grappling with questions of identity, destiny, and faith.” This is the aspect that lies behind all the spectacle ensured by parkour or even the confrontations. As they say, even though it involves violence, sex, greed, and revenge, the series “will speak of the value of human connections, beyond cultures and eras.” Needless to say, we are eager to discover the first trailer even though patience is required, as the green light has just been given.