The highly anticipated Gears of War film, with director David Leitch—known for hits like John Wick and Deadpool 2—at the helm, is making significant progress. Producer Kelly McCormick highlighted a strong momentum behind the project, partly fueled by the upcoming release of the new game, Gears of War: E-Day, which is slated for 2026.
McCormick, however, clarified that the Netflix adaptation of Gears of War would not be ready to align with the game’s 2026 launch. She conveyed to The Hollywood Reporter, “We won`t hit that release date, but maybe something that feels relevant to the release of the new game.”
As co-head of their production company 87North and Leitch’s spouse, McCormick revealed Leitch’s genuine enthusiasm for the Gears of War movie. The project excites him particularly because it ventures into a genre he has yet to explore: war. Additionally, it offers a blend of science fiction that Leitch intends to realize “in his own way.”
Leitch`s distinguished background as a former stuntman includes stints as Brad Pitt’s double in films such as Fight Club and Ocean’s Eleven. He co-directed 2014’s John Wick alongside Chad Stahelski, though industry rules prevented him from receiving co-director credit at the time. His extensive directorial portfolio also boasts films like Atomic Blonde, Deadpool 2, Hobbs & Shaw, Bullet Train, and The Fall Guy.
Interestingly, Chad Stahelski is independently working on his own video game adaptations, including films based on Ghost of Tsushima and Rainbow Six, indicating a busy period for directors transitioning from stunt work to major productions.
The most recent iteration of the Gears of War movie script is being developed by Jon Spaihts, a celebrated writer known for his contributions to blockbusters such as Prometheus, Doctor Strange, Passengers, and both parts of Dune.
While specific details about the Gears of War film remain under wraps, the game`s official social media channel reacted with clear excitement to The Hollywood Reporter interview, exclaiming, “Oh hell yeah! This my kind of shit!” This informal yet enthusiastic response suggests strong fan interest and developer approval.
It appears that Gears of War will not be Leitch`s immediate next directorial effort, suggesting fans should manage their expectations regarding an immediate release. His upcoming project involves directing How to Rob a Bank, a 2026 heist thriller for Amazon MGM Studios, set to star Nicholas Hoult and Anna Sawai.
In terms of casting, wrestler-turned-actor Dave Bautista has consistently expressed his strong desire to portray Marcus Fenix, a role for which he bears a striking resemblance. However, no official casting announcements for the Gears of War movie have been made. Conversely, Gears of War designer Cliff Bleszinski has previously stated his firm opposition to Chris Pratt being cast in any role within the film, stirring ongoing fan discussions.
Historically, Gears of War has been an Xbox exclusive for nearly two decades, shaping its identity within the gaming community. This long-standing exclusivity is, however, changing soon with the upcoming release of Gears of War: Reloaded on August 26, which will be available across PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC platforms, expanding its reach to a broader audience.