Netflix is revving up one of gaming’s most beloved franchises for the big screen, and it’s bringing serious firepower behind the camera. David Leitch, the stuntman-turned-director behind high-octane hits like Bullet Train, Deadpool 2 and The Fall Guy, is in talks to helm the long-awaited Gears of War adaptation. It’s the first step in Netflix’s broader plan to build a cinematic universe around the best-selling Xbox shooter.
The script comes courtesy of Jon Spaihts, whose credits include Dune and Doctor Strange. With Spaihts handling the writing and Leitch steering the action, the project is shaping up to be more than just another game adaptation — it’s positioning itself as a gritty, large-scale sci-fi spectacle. Production will be overseen by Leitch and producer Kelly McCormick through their 87North banner, in collaboration with The Coalition, the Canadian studio behind the Gears games.
Originally launched in 2006, Gears of War is set in a war-torn future where humanity faces annihilation from subterranean monsters known as the Locust. At the heart of the story is Marcus Fenix, a battle-hardened soldier leading a last-ditch effort to save civilisation — a premise ripe for cinematic reinvention, especially in the hands of a team well-versed in stylish chaos.
Netflix acquired rights to the franchise back in 2022, with ambitions that go far beyond a single feature. Plans include an adult animated series to follow the live-action film, and potentially more content if the adaptation hits home with fans. With Leitch now, it seems the gears are finally in motion.
