Ubisoft’sWatch Dogsfilm adaptation has finally begun production a decade after its announcement. The game first caught public attention at E3 2012, with players assuming the role of a hacker as protagonist in an urban setting controlled by pervasive surveillance systems.
Following the game’s unveiling, there was an immediate rumor about a potential film adaptation, even before the game’s official release. This idea took solid form in 2016 during Sony’s GamesCon press conference where it was revealed that Ubisoft Partners and New Regency were collaborating on bringing the protagonist Aiden Pearce’s story to the big screen.
Mathieu Turi, who will be directing the film, posted the update onInstagram, with a picture featuring a film clapboard accompanied by the caption “Lights_Camera_Action.exe.”
The updates on the film’s development have been scarce over the years, with only sporadic updates until recently. Last month, a press release finally broke the silence, confirming that the project was moving forward with plans to start shooting in the summer. The film featuresTom Blyth, notably fromThe Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, and Sophie Wilde ofTalk to Mefame in leading roles. The screenplay was penned by Christie LeBlanc, acclaimed for her work on the 2021 Netflix sci-fi movieOxygen.
A Hacker’s Quest for Justice Powers Watch Dogs Film Adaptation
InWatch Dogs, a skilled hacker named Aiden Pearce is out to exact revenge after a tragic event impacts his family. Armed with hacking abilities, Pearce manipulates the infrastructure of Chicago in quest of justice and to control the city, turning it into a powerful tool in his journey.
PerIGN, Jean-Julien Baronnet, CEO of Ubisoft Motion Pictures, expressed confidence in the collaboration with Sony and New Regency. He noted that the production expertise of both companies, combined with their respect for Ubisoft’s creative vision, positions the project to expand upon the game’s already substantial fan base and excitement.
“Sony Pictures and New Regency are ideal partners for us. Their deep production expertise and willingness to allow us to maintain a strong creative voice in the film means that we’re on track to deliver a movie that can build upon the excitement that Watch Dogs already is generating as a game.”
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Hannah Minghella, president of production at Columbia Pictures, mirrored this sentiment. She pointed out the natural fit ofWatch Dogsfor film adaptation due to its rich narrative and the thematic focus on the power of information. Minghella focused on the potential of the game’s story to evolve into a compelling thriller, noting the game’s mix of intense action and profound themes.
“The themes and open gameplay of Watch Dogs lends itself perfectly to the big screen. The game has intense action and adventure, but the story focuses on information and the control of information, which we think will lead to an exciting thriller. It has tremendous potential as a motion picture and we’re thrilled to have the opportunity to work closely with Ubisoft’s internal creative team on the development of the project,” said Minghella.
