David Leitch is circling Netflix’s Gears of War film, with plans to deliver a gritty, faithful adaptation alongside The Coalition and writer Jon Spaihts.
David Leitch, the director behind Fall Guy and Bullet Train, is reportedly in talks to direct Netflix’s upcoming Gears of War film, a live-action adaptation of one of Xbox’s most well-known franchises.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Leitch is negotiating to direct and produce the film alongside his wife and producing partner, Kelly McCormick, through their 87North production company. They will work in partnership with The Coalition, the Canadian game studio responsible for the Gears of War series. Jon Spaihts, who was nominated for an Oscar for his work on Dune, is attached to write the screenplay.
What we know about the Gears of War movie adaptation
The story will follow Delta Squad, a battle-worn team led by Marcus Fenix, a disgraced sergeant. They fight against the Locust, which are monstrous underground creatures threatening humanity on a planet facing collapse.
Leitch and McCormick will produce the film through 87North with The Coalition also involved in production. Netflix has not commented on the deal but has made it clear this adaptation aims to be faithful to the Gears of War video game saga, setting it apart from previous attempts. Netflix acquired the rights in November 2022 after earlier efforts by New Line Cinema stalled. New Line’s version, first announced in 2007, drifted away from the game’s universe and was stuck in development limbo by 2019.
Gears of War is a third-person shooter that first launched in 2006. Initially developed by Epic Games and later taken over by The Coalition under Microsoft, it centres on humanity’s desperate struggle against the Locust Horde. Known for its brutal gunfights, cover-based mechanics, and emotionally-driven narrative, the game quickly became a defining title for the Xbox brand.
The original Gears of War was a major commercial success, selling over three million copies within its first ten weeks. It was the fastest-selling video game of 2006 and the second-most played title on Xbox Live in 2007. Acclaimed for its gameplay and visuals, it won over 30 Game of the Year awards and played a key role in popularising cover systems in shooters.
A remastered version, Gears of War: Ultimate Edition, was released in August 2015 for Xbox One, and later in March 2016 for Windows, developed primarily by The Coalition. A second remaster, Gears of War Reloaded, co-developed by The Coalition, Sumo Digital, and Disbelief, is due for release in August 2025. It will mark the original game’s debut on Steam and the franchise’s first appearance on non-Xbox consoles, including PlayStation 5. A prequel, Gears of War: E-Day, is also in the pipeline.
Its popularity led to several sequels starting with Gears of War 2, as well as expanded media including novels and comics.
