David Leitch, acclaimed director of films like Atomic Blonde, Deadpool 2, Hobbs & Shaw, and Bullet Train, is reportedly in negotiations to helm Netflix's adaptation of the iconic video game Gears of War. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Leitch would be joined by his producing partner Kelly McCormick, along with the game's developer, The Coalition. The screenplay is being penned by Jon Spaihts, known for his work on Dune.

It has been over two years since Netflix secured the rights to Gears of War, and it appears that significant progress is finally being made. In addition to the movie, an adult animation series is also in development and is slated to release following the film. Should both projects succeed, more Gears of War content is expected to follow.

A major point of interest for fans is the casting of Marcus Fenix, the series' protagonist. Dave Bautista, a former wrestler turned actor, has expressed a strong desire to portray the character and has received endorsement from Gears of War co-creator Cliff Bleszinski.

The surge in popularity of video game adaptations is evident with successful releases like The Super Mario Bros. Movie, A Minecraft Movie, and the Sonic franchise, alongside others such as Uncharted, Mortal Kombat, and various Resident Evil films. This trend suggests a growing confidence in the genre.

In a statement from earlier this year, Microsoft's gaming chief Phil Spencer emphasized that the company remains undeterred by the mixed reception of the Halo TV series. Spencer highlighted the lessons learned from Halo and Fallout, expressing increased confidence in future adaptations.

On the gaming front, The Coalition is currently developing Gears of War: E-Day, a prequel to the original series, though no release date has been announced yet.

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