Franchise Development
Ongoing coverage on Franchise Development.
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Blizzard Boss On Why Diablo Is Becoming A TV Show And How Involved The Studio Will Be
Blizzard Entertainment announced a partnership with Netflix for an animated Diablo TV show, aiming to engage fans who may not have time for the games. President Johanna Faries stated the studio will be "very involved" in the adaptation, which is part of an effort to meet fans where they are through new storytelling forms. While details on the show are scarce, this follows Blizzard's previous Hollywood venture with the 2016 Warcraft movie.
Mortal Kombat 3 Isn’t Off The Table, But Its Director Is Busy With A Very Different Movie
Director Simon McQuoid has stated that while a third Mortal Kombat movie isn't off the table, he is currently focused on a different, character-driven film project. He expressed openness to returning for Mortal Kombat 3 but is exploring other storytelling opportunities. The box office performance of Mortal Kombat 2, which grossed $129 million against an $80 million budget, may impact the likelihood of a sequel.
Despite 4 years of development hell, Henry Cavill confirms he's still starring in Amazon's Warhammer 40K show
Henry Cavill has confirmed his continued involvement in Amazon's live-action Warhammer 40,000 series for Prime Video, with Mike Flanagan attached as writer. Cavill is also working closely with producer Natalie Viscuso and series lead Dave Wilson on a separate Deathwatch animated series, suggesting potential connections between the projects. News of these developments aligns with recent announcements from Games Workshop CEO Kevin Rountree regarding the franchise's expansion.
Capcom: En Pragmata-uppföljare är "väldigt trolig"
Capcom has indicated that a sequel to their new title Pragmata is highly likely, following strong initial sales of 2.5 million units. The company hopes to establish Pragmata as one of its core, long-term revenue-generating series.
God of War Laufey Will Kickstart Future Arc of the Franchise
Santa Monica Studios' Cory Barlog revealed that God of War Laufey will play a significant role in the franchise's overarching story, expanding the world and setting up future narratives. While Kratos remains a focus, Laufey is positioned as a key character to lead players forward, potentially with new companions like Phranque the Cube.
Certain developments at SEGA have been made possible due to the success of Sonic movies
SEGA president and COO Shuji Utsumi stated in a Famitsu interview that the success of the Sonic the Hedgehog movies has enabled certain developments within the company. He expressed hope that SEGA will fully leverage these new opportunities stemming from the films' positive reception.
Leaked Avatar Aang movie was "just one of a whole slate" and the next project will be announced "when the…
Avatar: The Last Airbender co-creator Bryan Konietzko revealed that the leaked Avatar Aang movie was part of a larger slate of projects, with another currently in development. He expressed optimism for the franchise's future, citing fan excitement for the upcoming movie, the Seven Havens series, and other unannounced projects, despite recent leaks and release shifts.
After 10 years why is there still no sign of a new Uncharted game? - Reader’s Feature
A reader expresses disappointment over the lack of a new Uncharted game, ten years after the release of Uncharted 4. The author argues that the Uncharted series is crucial to Sony's identity and that its absence is felt, despite rumors of developers being hesitant to take on the franchise. The piece also touches on the importance of character and tone in storytelling, drawing parallels to other franchises like Star Wars.
Lost producer reveals his canceled Star Wars movie would have been a meta battle between "the force of nostalgia…
Producer Damon Lindelof has revealed details about his canceled Star Wars movie, which he described as a meta battle against the 'force of nostalgia.' Lindelof exited the project, which was intended to be directed by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, in 2023. The article also mentions that 'The Mandalorian & Grogu' is slated to be the next Star Wars film.
Dead Rising Franchise Still Alive as Capcom Considers Sequels, Remakes
Capcom is actively considering new entries and remakes for the Dead Rising franchise, which it lists as one of its "leading brands" alongside Devil May Cry and Mega Man. While a remaster of the original game was released for PlayStation 5 in 2024, the last mainline entry was Dead Rising 4 in 2016. Capcom is exploring various business models, including new IP, sequels, remakes, ports, and other media like movies and TV shows.
Bit Bot Expands Leadership with AAA Veterans, Appoints Halo's Frank O’Connor as Creative Director
Multimedia studio Bit Bot has expanded its leadership team, appointing Frank O'Connor, formerly of Halo fame, as Creative Director and Brian Ullrich as Studio General Manager. The studio aims to accelerate original IP development across games, film, comics, and merchandise, bringing in AAA veterans to bolster its creative and production capabilities.
Bit Bot scales leadership team with AAA veteran Frank O'Connor as creative director
Bit Bot has appointed AAA veteran Frank O'Connor as creative director and Brian Ulrich as general manager to bolster its leadership team. O'Connor, formerly of the Halo franchise, will focus on original IP and cross-platform development, while Ulrich brings experience from companies like Nintendo and Microsoft. The studio also added advisors Brent Friedman, Tony Harman, and Wyeth Ridgway to its ranks.
Mortal Kombat Movie Writer Reveals The One Franchise He Wants To Work On Above All Others
Hollywood writer Jeremy Slater, known for Mortal Kombat, expressed his strong desire to work on the Star Wars franchise, calling it his 'white whale.' He has had discussions with Lucasfilm but is waiting for the right project to ensure he can do it justice. Slater also reflected on his past experiences with Fantastic Four and Moon Knight, highlighting the challenges of writer-director collaborations.
Pragmata 2 Might Happen as Capcom Calls It an IP to Explore
Capcom is exploring the possibility of turning its IP Pragmata into a franchise, following its successful sales of over one million copies in its first two days. The company's chief operating officer, Rob Dyer, indicated that Pragmata is an IP Capcom can continue to develop. This news comes after a strong year for Capcom with successful releases like Resident Evil Requiem and Monster Hunter Stories 3.
It's not confirmation of a Pragmata sequel, but Capcom has teased that its latest venture could have a future among its pantheon of iconic franchises after a tough development
Capcom COO of USA, Rob Dyer, has indicated that the company views Pragmata as a potential new franchise, despite its challenging development cycle. The game has achieved over one million sales in two days, a success Capcom believes is a strong starting point for future installments. Dyer also commented on the game's rocky development, stating it was ultimately worth the effort.
Before his cancelled Star Wars movie, Steven Soderbergh pitched two James Bond movies, including a "parallel franchise" set in the '60s and a "contemporary extravaganza"
Filmmaker Steven Soderbergh pitched two unconventional James Bond movie ideas to producer Barbara Broccoli in 2008. One concept was a cheaply made, R-rated, violent, and sexy 'parallel franchise' set in the 1960s, distinct from the main Bond series, while the other was described as a 'contemporary extravaganza'.
Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced Revealed
Ubisoft provided an update on the Assassin's Creed franchise, titled 'Assassin's Creed: Into 2026'. The presentation included insights from Jean Guesdon and an introduction from the series' new Creative Director, outlining the future direction of the franchise.
Pocket Camp is Shutting Down—Here’s What You Need to Know About the Transition and the Future of the Franchise – Geeky Sweetie
Nintendo announced that Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp will cease online services on October 31, 2024, transitioning to an offline version that preserves player progress. The decision is attributed to declining player engagement, server costs, and a potential shift in focus to new projects, including future Animal Crossing titles. Despite the closure of the mobile game, the Animal Crossing franchise remains popular, with Animal Crossing: New Horizons being a significant success on the Nintendo Switch.