David Leitch, the acclaimed director behind films like John Wick and Deadpool 2, is making significant progress on the Gears of War movie adaptation. Producer Kelly McCormick highlighted the strong momentum surrounding the film`s development, partly fueled by the anticipation for the new game, Gears of War: E-Day, slated for a 2026 release.
However, McCormick clarified to The Hollywood Reporter that the Netflix Gears of War film would not be ready to launch concurrently with the game`s 2026 debut. She indicated that while the movie wouldn`t hit that specific release window, it might appear at a time that strategically aligns with the new game`s presence.
McCormick, who is married to Leitch and co-manages their production company 87North, revealed Leitch`s enthusiasm for the Gears of War project. She explained that he is eager to direct it as it marks his first foray into the war genre, with an added “bit of sci-fi” that he intends to explore in his distinct style.
Leitch, a former stuntman who notably served as Brad Pitt`s double in movies such as Fight Club and Ocean`s Eleven, co-directed 2014`s John Wick alongside Chad Stahelski, though he remained uncredited due to industry regulations. His solo directorial credits include Atomic Blonde, Deadpool 2, Hobbs & Shaw, Bullet Train, and The Fall Guy.
Meanwhile, Chad Stahelski is independently working on film adaptations of the video games Ghost of Tsushima and Rainbow Six.
The current script for the Gears of War movie is being crafted by Jon Spaihts, known for writing screenplays for Prometheus, Doctor Strange, Passengers, and both parts of Dune.
Although specific details about the Gears of War film remain scarce, the official social media account for the game enthusiastically responded to The Hollywood Reporter interview, posting: “Oh hell yeah! This my kind of shit!”
It appears that Gears of War will not be Leitch`s next directorial effort, suggesting that its release is not imminent. The director is currently preparing to commence shooting How to Rob a Bank, a 2026 heist thriller from Amazon MGM Studio, with Nicholas Hoult and Anna Sawai attached to star.
For many years, actor and former wrestler Dave Bautista has publicly expressed his keen interest in portraying the character Marcus, a role for which he bears a strong visual resemblance. Nevertheless, no casting announcements have yet been made for the Gears of War movie. Conversely, Gears of War creator Cliff Bleszinski has consistently voiced his strong disapproval of Chris Pratt being cast in any part of the film.
For nearly two decades, the Gears of War franchise has been exclusively available on Xbox platforms. This long-standing exclusivity is soon to end with the upcoming launch of Gears of War: Reloaded on August 26, which will be accessible on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.