Video game maker Ubisoft is trying something new with its upcoming pirate game Skull & Bones. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Ubisoft’s movie and TV arm is developing a female-centric series based on the game, and it will be released before the game is available for purchase.
Ubisoft has partnered with Atlas Entertainment (Dirty John) for the series. While the 2016 film Assassin’s Creed, which starred Michael Fassbender, was based on one of Ubisoft’s most popular franchises, several of the titles had been out for quite some time. This time, however, the company’s film and television division is rolling the dice on a title that isn’t familiar to gamers.
“Ubisoft is known for creating innovative video games that combine immense worlds with rich narratives,” said Danielle Kreinik, Ubisoft’s director of development for television.
The TV adaptation is set in the lawless frontier of the Indian Ocean at the end of the golden age of piracy in the 1700s. Amanda Segel, who executive produced Spike TV’s The Mist, will write the pilot and serve as executive producer. Atlas’ Andy Horwitz and Richard Suckle also will executive produce.
This endeavor marks the company’s latest push into film and TV. Its first live-action comedy, from Rob McElhenney and Charlie Day (It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia), 3 Arts and Lionsgate, was ordered straight to series by Apple. Meanwhile, David Leitch is developing a feature film that’s based on Ubisoft’s The Division series. Jake Gyllenhaal and Jessica Chastain are currently attached to star.
Skull & Bones, the series and the video game, are expected to be released sometime in 2019.
