Amazon Studios is preparing a TV and film franchise starring former Superman actor and The Witcher star Henry Cavill based on iconic miniature war game, Warhammer 40,000, and, presumably related fiction created by authors such as 2000AD‘s Dan Abnett, and others.
Both Hollywood Reporter and Broadcast report Cavill will star and executive produce on projects created under the franchise, after Amazon Studios secured the rights from Nottingham-based manufacturer Games Workshop.
Established in 1987, Warhammer 40,000 is a table top game set in the grim darkness of the far future, where mighty armies clash on countless war-torn worlds and Humanity stands alone, beset on all sides by the threats of the heretic, the mutant and the alien. The hugely successful game has spun off into animation, comics, novels and other games.
Cavill, a Warhammer fan, has partnered with Vertigo Entertainment’s Roy Lee and Natalie Viscuso, with the label executive producing alongside The Witcher star and Andy Smillie, novelist of the Games Workshop books, and Max Bottrill, head of product and supply at Games Workshop.
Games Workshop previously teamed with Frank Spotnitz’s Big Light Productions back in 2019 to develop the live-action sci-fi and fantasy series Eisenhorn, written by Dan Abnett, which is set in the Warhammer 40,000 universe. Spotnitz was to serve as showrunner and executive Producer on the series, which is already a successful video game, but a broadcaster or platform, cast and staff have not yet been made public,
“Warhammer 40,000 has captured the imagination of fans of all ages, from all walks of life, and all over the world,” notes Jennifer Salke, head of Amazon and MGM Studios.
“We are excited to work with Henry, Vertigo Entertainment, and Games Workshop across our Amazon entertainment businesses on this brilliant, immersive franchise for our global customers to experience for years to come.”
• Warhammer 40,000 is online at warhammer40000.com
• Warhammer game on AmazonUK (Affiliate Link)
SOME RECENT WARHAMMER 40K COMIC COLLECTIONS
Warhammer 40,000 Vol. 1: Will of Iron
by George Mann, Tazio Bettin, Enrica Angiolini
Published by Titan Comics
After a thousand years, violent warp storms have receded from the Calaphrax Cluster, and an ancient battlefront in the war against Chaos has again been opened to the universe. Now, multiple forces risk complete immolation to attack the sector – drawn by the lure of ancient relics, lost knowledge, and powerful megaweapons, buried for aeons…
Warhammer 40,000 Vol. 2: Revelations
by George Mann, Tazio Bettin, Enrica Angiolini
Published by Titan Comics
The mighty ongoing Warhammer 40,000 series returns with a brand new arc! Featuring the capricious and deadly Eldar Harlequins… And the resurrection of the evil inside a Necron tomb!
Warhammer 40,000: Sisters of Battle
by Torunn Gronbekk, Edgar Salazar
Survive the grim darkness of the future with the Sisters of Battle! A squad of Adepta Sororitas, led by Canoness Veridyan, arrives on Planet Siscia to retrieve a lost Inquisitorial acolyte and put down a heretical uprising.
But as Novitiate Ghita’s first mission with her Order gets underway, what should be an easy assignment turns into something much worse, as an unknown force deep within a subterranean city rears its ugly head! It’s no-holds-barred action, mystery and daemons galore as the all-female military force lets bolters blaze and flamers scorch in this all-new saga!
Show your faith and fervour to the Emperor by joining Marvel for the next phase of Warhammer comics.
Collecting: Warhammer 40,000: Sisters Of Battle (2021) 1-5
The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.
He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.
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