Last year Netflix teamed up with The Coalition video game studio to adapt their hit franchise Gears of War into a feature film with screenwriter Jon Spaihts (Dune) enlisting earlier this year. Now Gears creator Cliff Bleszinski has spoken up about Netflix’s plans and the fan-casting of Dave Bautista for the role of the series’ lead protagonist Marcus Fenix.
Gears of War takes place on the world of Sera where humanity has been on the verge of extinction after a subterranean race called the Locust Horde emerged from the ground and began an invasion. The Coalition of Ordered Governments, COG for short, is one of the last governments left after razing Sera with their laser satellite system and been in a war against the Locust for 15 years. The first game begins with former COG soldier Marcus Fenix broken out of prison to help with an operation that could end the Locust threat once and for all.
In an interview with ComingSoon, Bleszinski was asked if he is involved with the film’s production and also of Gears fans desire to see Guardians of the Galaxy actor Dave Bautista take on the role of Marcus Fenix. Bautista himself is a huge fan of Gears of War and has campaigned for both a Gears film and the role of Fenix for years, even turning down a role in the Fast and Furious franchise in the hopes to play Fenix instead. Bautista filmed an ad for Gears 5 and is a downloadable character for the game’s multiplayer.
“Absolutely not,” Bleszinski said on whether or not he’s been contacted by Netflix to take part in the production. “Nobody’s reached out to me and it’s weird … Marcus is like Bruce Willis in Die Hard — everything he touches seems to turn to crap. I used to say back in the day, I didn’t want like a pro wrestler to play Marcus. But Bautista has emerged from the pro wrestling circuit and has shown his range in Blade Runner 2049 and Knock At the Cabin and Guardians of the Galaxy and whatnot. He literally did that cosplay — he’s wearing the armor that he posted on social media, and he has my full support as … people consider me to be ‘the father of Gears.’ I would love for nothing more than to consider consulting on the movie.”
Netflix announced their partnership with The Coalition last year and hired Dune co-writer Jon Spaihts to write the Gears of War script. Following the film, Netflix will also release an adult animated series set in the franchise. Most video game adaptations haven’t had the best luck being adapted into films, but hopefully with the success of this year’s adaptations of The Super Mario Bros. and The Last of Us – where the games or franchises creators and developers were actually involved in the production – Netflix will reach out to Bleszinksi for help in the Gears of War film and animated series.
Gears of War was first released in 2006 and has spawned several sequels and tie-in titles. The first trilogy concluded in 2011 with Gears of War 3 and 2015 saw the remastered Gears of War: Ultimate Edition with updated graphics and new levels that were taken out of the original game. A new trilogy began in 2016 with Gears of War 4, taking place 25 years after the end of the Locust War, and continued with 2019’s Gears 5. As of now The Coalition is rumoured to be working on Gears of War 6, but there hasn’t been any official word on its status or potential release. The series has been a massive success throughout the years and has sold more than 40 million copies worldwide.
Do you want to see Cliff Bleszinkski take part in the Gears of War production? What are you thoughts on Dave Bautista potentially playing Marcus Fenix? Let us know on our social channels at @flickeringmyth…
Ricky Church – Follow me on Twitter for more movie news and nerd talk.
