When it comes to adapting one of the most beloved video games for the screen, fans usually prepare for the worst.
But it seems Ubisoft is taking a surprisingly relaxed approach Splinter Cell: Deathwatchthe upcoming Netflix series by Derek Kolstadthe creator behind John Wick and a writer on The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.
Kolstad recently talked about the creative “guardrails” Ubisoft has set for the show, and they might give fans a reason to breathe easy.
Speaking to GamesRadar+, Kolstad revealed that Ubisoft gave him a level of creative freedom that is rare when working with a major studio or existing IP.
“Anytime you’re dealing with an intellectual property, there are going to be guardrails in place,” Kolstad said of his collaboration with Ubisoft. “I did it Falcon and the Winter Soldier and this is Disney. You’re in a titanium tunnel – it is [still] a joy because you can play in a sandbox full of sand and play with their toys.
Kolstad’s experience at Marvel was enjoyable, but it came with heavy restrictions. Instead, his role as creator and showrunner continues Splinter Cell: Deathwatch it was a completely different game.
The show is set years after the events of the video games, following the trail of an older Sam Fisher who has come out of retirement for another mission.
“Ubisoft, when they came to me and as soon as I wanted to do it [Old Sam Fisher] they were like, ‘Great, and go.’… What I like is that the only limits were love for the character, respect for the IP. They just let me run.
This kind of freedom is almost unheard of when adapting a globally recognized franchise, and it’s exactly what makes this project so exciting. Ubisoft’s faith in Kolstad’s narrative instincts could mean we’re getting a series that honors the stealth action legacy of Chipped cell giving Fisher’s story real emotional depth.
With Liev Schreiber stepping into the role of Sam Fisher, Splinter Cell: Deathwatch it looks like it will be one of the most promising video game adaptations. The idea of an “old Sam Fisher” returning to the shadows under Kolstad’s direction has serious potential, especially when considering Ubisoft’s simple but powerful creative mantra: love the character, respect the IP.
Fans won’t have to wait long to see how it turns out Splinter Cell: Deathwatch sneaks onto Netflix on October 14th.
by Joey Paur
Source: Geek Tyrant
Lloyd Grunewald is an author at “The Fashion Vibes”. He is a talented writer who focuses on bringing the latest entertainment-related news to his readers. With a deep understanding of the entertainment industry and a passion for writing, Lloyd delivers engaging articles that keep his readers informed and entertained.
