Assassin’s Creed, released in 2016, stands as a noteworthy, albeit unsuccessful, movie adaptation of the beloved video game franchise. Currently gaining attention on Max, it serves as a reminder of its rich potential that went largely untapped. Directed by Justin Kurzel, this project marked his second collaboration with actor Michael Fassbender. In the film, Fassbender portrays Callum “Cal”Lynch, a condemned murderer, alongside his 15th-century ancestor, Aguilar de Nerha. The plot delves into the advanced technology employed by the Abstergo Foundation, which forces Cal to relive Aguilar’s memories in a quest to uncover secrets about the enigmatic Assassin Brotherhood and the powerful artifact known as the Apple of Eden.
Despite the strong source material and noteworthy cast, including luminaries such as Marion Cotillard, Jeremy Irons, and Michael K. Williams, Assassin’s Creed ultimately faltered at the box office, being labeled one of 2016’s major flops. Although it is now trending on Max nearly a decade later, the film initially sparked dreams of a cinematic franchise that were quickly dashed due to its unfavorable reception. Nevertheless, there remains hope for the franchise’s revitalization, and here’s an exploration of its potential.
Assassin’s Creed Is Now Trending On Max, 9 Years After The Movie First Released
Assassin’s Creed Was One Of The Biggest Duds Of 2016
Even with its recent resurgence on streaming platforms like Max, Assassin’s Creed faced a critical and commercial collapse upon its 2016 release. Instead of adapting a specific game title, the film attempted to create a broader narrative inspired by the iconic series, which ultimately misfired for 20th Century Fox. Upon its debut in December 2016, expectations were high but quickly fell short of reality.
The film was projected to generate over $35 million during its initial six days, yet it managed only $22.5 million, securing a disappointing fifth place at the box office. Although the worldwide earnings reached $240 million against a production budget of $125 million, the extensive marketing costs rendered it a financial failure.
Assassin’s Creed Poor Reception Ended Any Chance At A Movie Franchise
Assassin’s Creed Had Two Potential Sequels That Never Came To Be
Following the acquisition by Disney, all sequel plans were dismissed due to the film’s lackluster performance and critical reviews. Although some viewed the adaptation as an incremental improvement over its contemporaries, its reception was far from favorable. Currently, the movie holds a dismal 19% on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics pointing to an over-dependence on CGI and a convoluted storyline as major faults. This unimpressive response dashed hopes for a continuing film series.
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Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer Score For Assassin’s Creed |
19% |
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Rotten Tomatoes Popcornmeter For Assassin’s Creed |
42% |
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Metacritc Score For Assassin’s Creed |
36/100 |
Despite development plans for a sequel, Disney’s acquisition in 2019 resulted in the abandonment of the franchise as the studio showed little interest in continuing the narrative. Consequently, two planned sequels were scrapped, further illustrating Unutilized potential of the series in the cinematic realm.
The Assassin’s Creed Games Could Have Been Turned Into An Awesome Movie Franchise
The Assassin’s Creed Games Could Inspire A Lot Of Great Movies
The greatest regret surrounding the Assassin’s Creed film lies in the dampening of enthusiasm for potential cinematic adaptations of the Ubisoft series, given its perfect setting for an action-packed franchise. The core of the Assassin’s Creed games revolves around the ongoing conflict between the Assassins and the Templars, but this narrative thread is not what resonates most with fans. The 2016 film’s excessive focus on this storyline detracted from the film’s potential. What truly captivates the audience is the high-octane action sequences and vivid historical backdrops.
The games feature a vast array of interlinked characters across different civilizations, offering endless storytelling opportunities. Each movie installment could spotlight a different individual integral to the historical Assassin Brotherhood, providing a dynamic cast and fresh perspectives with each entry. This self-contained storytelling approach could enhance individual films while developing a cohesive overarching narrative.
Prominent characters like Ezio Auditore da Firenze and Edward Kenway have strong narratives that could span multiple films, allowing for innovative storytelling approaches. A film series could bring forth characters across diverse historical epochs, enrich its narrative fabric, and amplify the series’ global appeal. If executed correctly, the series could transform Assassin’s Creed into a medieval action saga akin to John Wick.
Could Another Assassin’s Creed Movie Adaptation Happen In The Future?
Just Because The 2016 Film Failed Doesn’t Mean The Series Couldn’t Come Back To The Big Screen
The fact that the perfect Assassin’s Creed adaptation hasn’t been realized yet does not preclude the possibility of future cinematic ventures. Numerous adaptations have previously encountered rocky starts only to be successfully revived; take Dune, for instance, which enjoyed a resurgence after several earlier attempts. Acclaimed shows like Arcane and The Last of Us demonstrate that video game adaptations can become cultural phenomena. Given the right direction, Assassin’s Creed may enjoy a similar revival, especially as the franchise remains relevant in the gaming world.
The series is inherently cinematic, filled with untapped narratives rich in action, intrigue, and varied historical contexts. With 14 mainline entries and numerous spin-off titles in the Assassin’s Creed saga, there is plenty of material for a fresh take. The right creative direction could shift focus towards historical action narratives as opposed to sci-fi complexities, honing in on the enticing period settings that make the franchise unique.
In conclusion, the cinematic prospects of Assassin’s Creed remain ripe for exploration—with an excellent creative team, the franchise could evolve into a successful action series where previous attempts have failed.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter