Between its original story, unique characters, and faithfulness to the source material, the post-apocalyptic series managed to win over gamers and new fans alike, with Fallout season 2 getting better as time went on. Now that Arcane has ended and The Last of Us has declined, Prime Video’s gem is arguably the best ongoing gaming adaptation on TV.
Fortunately, Netflix looks set to offer some competition though. While it’ll be tough to reach the heights of Fallout‘s record-breaking second season, Netflix’s Assassin’s Creed is gearing up to be something special. Containing action, sci-fi, and historical elements, there is a lot of potential for this upcoming series, especially with the franchise having such a large pre-existing fanbase.
Assassin’s Creed Could Be Netflix’s Answer To Fallout If Done Right
Assassin’s Creed has been a staple of the video game world for around two decades, producing countless classic games throughout its lifespan. Although the later entries have divided fans more and more in recent years, the franchise remains a juggernaut, suggesting it could be Netflix’s answer to Fallout if it sticks the landing.
Not only does it have countless stories to take inspiration from, but the general tone and atmosphere should translate well to TV, at least on paper. Assassin’s Creed isn’t short of action, but it also has plenty of dramatic elements and interesting characters that could be adapted despite going for an original story, making this live-action series unmissable.
Considering Fallout has expertly introduced new ideas while still respecting everything that came before it, the blueprint is already there to make the upcoming show work. Netflix’s Assassin’s Creed needs to include certain video game details, such as the bleeding effect, while mentioning notable assassins and historical figures throughout its duration.
Netflix’s Assassin’s Creed began filming in March.
That said, it should also take some creative liberties to express itself, which will help audiences connect to whatever new characters are stepping into the spotlight. The fact that this IP is known for visiting all kinds of historical periods while also combining some sci-fi elements into it gives the overall premise universal intrigue.
Therefore, maintaining all the factors that make the video games work and combining this with a compelling story filled with brutal action sequences could cement Assassin’s Creed as a modern classic. However, it will be far from easy — something the franchise’s live-action movie proved.
2016’s Assassin’s Creed Movie Already Proved How Hard It Is To Adapt This Franchise
The gritty, philosophical tone of Assassin’s Creed seems destined to work in a live-action format, but back in 2016, 20th Century Fox tried bringing this franchise to the big screen and failed. Financially, it wasn’t a complete disaster, as it did make over $240 million at the box office, but given its estimated $125 million budget, it didn’t exactly triumph.
The reviews were even more damning, as the film holds an 18% Tomatometer rating, with its audience score not faring much better at 42%. With big names such as Michael Fassbender and Brendan Gleeson involved, the creators certainly didn’t lack ambition, but things just didn’t come together like they would’ve hoped.
As expected, the acting was solid, and there were some pretty innovative ideas on display, but the story lacked the kind of depth that Assassin’s Creed‘s better games have, while many of the best elements from the source material simply aren’t present, contributing to it leaving viewers largely unsatisfied.
There are lessons to learn from this flick though, both good and bad, granting Netflix’s Assassin’s Creed the chance to redeem Michael Fassbender’s movie. A televised format will allow for the exposition to be spread across episodes, rather than thrown at newcomers all at once, which is bound to leave them confused.
Likewise, there should also be plenty of time to establish characters, set up video game connections, and create a long-running narrative that truly feels like Assassin’s Creed. Assuming Netflix’s adaptation manages this, it could restore the franchise’s image in Hollywood and give Prime Video’s Fallout a run for its money.