Netflix's Gears of War adaptation moves forward with Leitch, Spaihts

Netflix’s long-gestating Gears of War movie is moving from rumor to active development, with director David Leitch and screenwriter Jon Spaihts working on the adaptation alongside producer Kelly McCormick. The project has been in development since 2022, when Netflix acquired the rights to the Xbox Game Studios franchise, and the creative team says they are currently writing the draft. While no release date or casting has been announced, the producers say the film is guided by a clear opportunity to align with the series’ upcoming mainline game and to deliver a war film with a distinctive science-fiction tilt.

Leitch, who directed The Fall Guy and is known for high-octane action, is aboard to direct, with his producing partner McCormick also playing a key role. McCormick described the current phase as “we’re writing right now with Jon Spaihts, and we’re really excited about it.” She added that there is “a lot of energy from The Coalition and from Netflix,” noting that the Coalition is planning a new Gears of War game for 2026. Although the film will not arrive in time to coincide with that release, she emphasized a desire to craft something that feels relevant to the new game’s...