Netflix Needs To Capitalize On Video Game Adaptation Buzz With Its Gear Of War Movie

In 2023, Netflix got the entire video gaming world talking when it confirmed that it was working on a Gears of War movie. Fans had wanted this for years due to the popularity of the video game series and its story-driven nature with tons of action, seemingly perfect for a live-action adaptation.

However, after over two years, there is still no sign of Netflix pushing this project down the line, which has led to frustration and concern among Gears of War fans. People aren’t sure if the project is ever going to see the light of day, but considering how well video game adaptations are performing at the moment, it feels like the perfect time to get things rolling with the Gears of War film.

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Video Game Movie Previously Had A Negative Reputation

For a long period of time, video game adaptations, either in movies or television shows, proved to be a struggle. For a variety of reasons, Hollywood was never going to get things quite right with everyone’s favorite video game franchises, and that led to a lot of frustration among gamers. The likes of Hitman: Agent 47, Warcraft, and Assassin’s Creed all struggled to make the best of their built-in audience due to how mediocre the movies ended up being. Whether it was because they weren’t close enough to the source material, the story was weak, or the acting didn’t deliver, there are a multitude of reasons as to why these films didn’t perform well.

It built up a negative reputation when it came to video game adaptations in the movie and television industry. Rather than people getting excited about seeing their favorite games brought to life in this manner, fans started to dread them and the negative impact they could have on how people view the franchise generally. This often led to audiences not rushing to watch these movies when they were released, harming their overall quality and impact even further.

Video Game Adaptations Are Currently Thriving In Hollywood

Fortunately, video game adaptations have turned a corner in recent years and have become some of the biggest blockbusters in the industry. The Super Mario Bros. Movie grossed over $1 billion at the worldwide box office, with a sequel already in the works. Meanwhile, the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise has been popular enough that a trilogy has been created, with the franchise being developed and fleshed out with new characters each time. However, it isn’t just in the movie industry where video game adaptations have been a smash success, as they have also been taking over the world of television, too. The Last Of Us proved to be a major success with its first season, gripping audiences with its tension, while the Fallout television series entertained fans just as much – hence why both shows are getting a second season. These examples have all done a tremendous job of sticking to the source material of the video games they love while enhancing things to fit the television and movie genres. These examples have helped to raise the standard and expectation of video projects in Hollywood, which is why there could be a lot of excitement if a Gears of War movie was done right.

Not every modern video game adaptation works – see 2024’s Borderlands as an example, but there is tons of momentum behind this franchise right now, and it would be foolish of Netflix not to capitalize on it. They have the rights to a huge series of games in Gears of War where the lore and the story are so detailed, and the characters are so distinct that it feels like a smash hit is just sitting on their lap waiting to be used. If a movie based around this franchise is done right, then there’s no reason why it cannot be a significant hit, as the video game series has a large fanbase that’s already built in.

Netflix Has Given A Lack Of Gears Of War Updates

Netflix came out of the gates proudly when they announced that a Gears of War movie was being planned, but since that stage, things have gone extremely quiet on this project. It’s becoming a concerning situation as it is stopping fans from being able to properly unwind and get excited about the deal. There have been no actors attached to the project, and it’s unclear what the story is going to be or the timescale for when people should expect it. Dave Bautista has urged the public to help him get cast in this movie as he’s a huge fan of video games, proving that there is still a hunger for the film to happen within the industry. Gears of War could be massive for Netflix, but the streaming giants need to get moving and strike while the video game adaptation franchise is hot.