The movie adaptation of popular video game Assassin's Creed is back on track after developer and publisher Ubisoft inked a deal with film production firm New Regency. The project will now be "fast-tracked" with immediate progress in screenplay.
A press release from the two firms said that the project will be undertaken in "close collaboration." Ubisoft will maintain control of key elements of the movie's creative direction.
"Ubisoft chose to partner with New Regency because they are a talent- and filmmaker-driven company, with the same independent and creative mindset that we have at Ubisoft Motion Pictures," Jean-Julien Baronnet, chief executive officer, Ubisoft Motion Pictures, said. "Bringing aboard New Regency's renowned production and distribution expertise while maintaining our own creative and financial flexibility ensures that 'Assassin's Creed' will be a high-quality film that respects the lore and fans of the video game franchise."
The financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed. In July, reports stated that the "Assassin's Creed" movie will feature actor Michael Fassbender of "Prometheus" fame. He will also be the co-producer for the movie.
"We wanted to do everything we could to secure the rights to Assassin's Creed, which Ubisoft has maintained with such care and quality over the years," said Brad Weston, president and CEO, New Regency. "Having just finished working with Michael on Steve McQueen's '12 Years A Slave' (with Plan B) made the partnership even more irresistible."
Ubisoft formed Ubisoft Motion Pictures in early 2011 to help expand their audiences by taking popular games like Far Cry, Assassin's Creed, Prince of Persia and Tom Clancy, and making them into film, television and Web series.
Ubisoft Motion Picture has two movies in development based on Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell and Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon video game franchises.
