Following the hire of two new writers, New Regency and Ubisoft are in talks with Australian director Justin Kurzel to helm the upcoming Assassin’s Creed film, Deadline reports. The film, which features Michael Fassbender as both star and producer, is currently scheduled for release on June 19, 2015.
Kurzel, best known for directing the award-winning crime-horror film The Snowtown Murders, is coming off of directing Fassbender in the titular role of Macbeth for The Weinstein Company, also slated for a 2015 release. With Fassbender acting as producer on the film, the actor must have enjoyed the working relationship he shared with Kurzel for the director to be offered the job. The negotiations are still ongoing, but with the release scheduled for just over a year away, Ubisoft and New Regency need to begin production soon if they hope to keep that summer 2015 date.
Plot details remain vague and it’s still unclear how the film will translate the game, or which of the many time periods the series exists in will be featured. The games also have a modern day element that acts as the framework, and explains how the series is able to jump around in time and yet remain firmly connected. The growing list of Hollywood heavyweights tied to the film bodes well for it breaking from video game adaptations’ troubled history though. Hiring Kurzel over Uwe Boll is an excellent start, in any case.
