Ubisoft Compares ASSASSIN'S CREED Film to BATMAN BEGINS and BLADE RUNNER

Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed movie has spent years in development, and we've heard about how the company is really taking its time and giving its properties the time they deserve to get the script to a good place instead of just rushing into production in order to capitalize on name recognition. It's clear that they actually want to make good movies, and we'll find out whether they succeeded when Assassin's Creed arrives in theaters on December 21st, 2016.

In an interview with the French Premiere magazine (via /Film), Ubisoft Motion Pictures CEO Jean-Julien Barronet spoke about the company's mindset with regards to Assassin's Creed and the other long-in-the-works film they have in development, Splinter Cell. Here's a translated quote:

"We want to try to prove that the adaptations of cinema video games can be good projects. Until now, it was licensing purchases - so the studios that were unfamiliar culture and DNA of the game - and that frustrated fans. Or gaming companies who thought that because they knew playmaking, they knew how to make films. But this is not the same. By taking the initiative to create this structure dedicated to the cinema - with only film people - we want to show that we have the closeness with the players and the specific know-how that allows us to produce it. That's why creative control is essential for us. We have creative control as we choose the main actors, directors, budget, the scenario ... It's a package that we present and studios take it or not. But the amount will still be paid. We also have the final cut, even if we do not fund mainly the film. They preferred not to film rather than not having that creative control. Of course, we work closely with the studios. They have an incredibly strong expertise on production. But it is a safeguard. If ever there was a slip that would bring the film to a direction that does not suit us, we can put a veto. And in Ubisoft's history of loving change the rules of the game and we want to do that too in film. Usually in Hollywood, when you develop a big film, you start with a script or studio ... We did not do that. We said: "For each film, what is the first decision that we have to take?" In Assassin's Creed, it was obvious that the first decision was the choice of the actor. Who is behind the assassin, who will personify? In Splinter Cell, the same thing is going to be Sam Fisher? The obsession that we had was to find actors among the best, if not the best."

That's cool to hear that they have final cut on their projects. It seems like Ubisoft is being incredibly smart about bringing their franchises to the big screen, and I appreciate the way they're really taking their time to make sure everything is sound from a story perspective before moving forward. Barronet went on to talk about why stars like Michael Fassbender and Tom Hardy found the way they work so appealing, and it has a lot to do with — you guessed it — creative control. He also compared the upcoming Assassin's Creed movie to Batman Begins and Blade Runner:

"[Fassbender] accepted very quickly. And it was the only actor which we thought was obvious. So we started with the actor, which is incongruous. Even more incongruous, he engaged us with nothing. There was no script, no studio or anything. We told him we were going to build the project together, we have a huge brand and we want to make a make a film with references to feature films like Batman Begins and Blade Runner. That is why we tend to. He was promised that he could work with the writers, we would associate it with all key creative choices. This is obviously attractive for intelligent players like Michael Fassbender and Tom Hardy. It is like a huge studio because it has huge brand, but it is a small structure. And it will remain like that, you do not want to become bigger. Tom Hardy was also evident on Splinter Cell. We had the same discussion and it is also committed immediately. Tom is a gamer and he loves the world of Splinter Cell. We worked a lot with him on the character."

There's a lot more to read in Premiere's (huge) interview, but the iffy English translation means it isn't an easy thing to go through. The most important points to take away from this, though, is that these guys aren't messing around when it comes to their beloved properties, and it appears that Assassin's Creed has a good shot at legitimately becoming the first truly great video game movie.

Justin Kurzel will direct, and the film stars Fassbender, Marion Cotillard, Michael K. Williams, Ariane Labed, Brendan Gleeson, and Jeremy Irons.

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