Netflix is set to adapt the upcoming video game Kingmakers into a feature film, partnering with producer Shawn Levy. This announcement marks another addition to the streaming service’s growing portfolio of video game adaptations, reinforcing its collaboration with Levy’s production company, 21 Laps.
According to Deadline, the project is based on Kingmakers, a sandbox strategy game developed by Redemption Road Games and published by tinyBuild. The screenplay will be adapted by Christopher MacBride, who has secured the film rights through a partnership arrangement with 21 Laps. The production company swiftly moved to acquire the project, ensuring it remained off the open market.
Plot Insights and Production Team
While specific details about the film’s plot are not yet available, the game offers a promising narrative foundation. Set against the backdrop of a war-torn, medieval Great Britain, the story follows a soldier who travels back in time. Equipped with an impressive array of modern weaponry, including assault rifles and vehicles, he aims to change the course of history and avert a future apocalypse. This premise suggests that the film adaptation will feature large-scale, real-time simulated battles, reminiscent of the game’s gameplay.
The film will be produced by Levy and Dan Levine for 21 Laps, alongside Dmitri M. Johnson, Michael Lawrence Goldberg, and Timothy L. Stevenson from Story Kitchen. Emily Feher will oversee development for 21 Laps, with Elena Sandoval supervising the project for Story Kitchen. Additionally, Alex Nichiporchik and Jon Carnage from tinyBuild will serve as executive producers.
Game Development and Future Prospects
The adaptation is progressing even as the release of the Kingmakers game has faced delays. Redemption Road Games released a statement emphasizing their commitment to delivering a high-quality gaming experience, stating, “In short, it’s an incredibly ambitious, uncompromising game, and we don’t want to cut any planned features for the sake of getting it out the door earlier,” according to ScreenRant.
Currently, 21 Laps is also involved as an executive producer for Netflix’s acclaimed series Stranger Things, which is approaching its final episodes. The company is also producing the upcoming film Star Wars: Starfighter, directed by Levy and featuring Ryan Gosling. Meanwhile, Story Kitchen continues to explore adaptations of popular games, including Tomb Raider, Life is Strange, and Just Cause.
As Netflix broadens its reach into the realm of video game adaptations, the collaboration for Kingmakers exemplifies the platform’s ambition to create engaging cinematic experiences that resonate with both gamers and film enthusiasts alike.