Ubisoft taking control of its movie adaptations

November 24, 2012

With the video game adaptations really gaining traction in the movie industry, Ubisoft is looking to get more hands on with their valuable IPs.

After Prince of Persia was a box office and critical flop, the publisher wants to make sure they have a little more control over things with future film adaptations. Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot elaborates:

“Generally have been too far from the spirit of those IPs and their characters,” says Guillemot. “It’s not enough in the direction of the vision behind it. When you look at the Harry Potter films, [J.K. Rowling] was very involved in the making of those movies and she was able to push for the ideas she came with. It’s the same thing. We created an environment and IP and a complete set of rules that will help the movies.”

Ubisoft and their Hollywood partners have two films in the pipeline, adaptations of the Assassin’s Creed and Splinter Cell franchises.

Michael Fassbender of inglourious Basterds fame will be taking the leading role in Assassin’s Creed, which Ubisoft have made happen by working with New Regency Partners. The publisher hopes to have cast, director and script sorted by next winter, which means we could be watching the film come 2014. Splinter Cell is a bit further off, with Ubisoft not yet locking down a partner. However, Tom Hardy has been confirmed as taking the role of Sam Fischer.

While other publishers have been cautious to give movie adaptations a secondary role, Ubisoft are looking to commit a little more than that.

“It can be a substantial part of our profits,” said Guillemot.