Dec 16 (Reuters) – Amazon.com (AMZN.O) is in search of to convey in style fantasy miniature recreation “Warhammer 40,000” to screens with former “Superman” actor Henry Cavill, after agreeing in precept to supply movie and tv content material with its British developer.
Whereas industrial phrases of the deal weren’t disclosed by London-listed Video games Workshop (GAW.L), the transfer demonstrates Amazon’s push to benefit from a streaming growth and tackle rivals together with HBO Max and Netflix (NFLX.O).
“For 30 years I’ve dreamt of seeing a Warhammer universe in stay motion,” Cavill mentioned in a publish on social media platform Instagram.
“Now, after 22 years of expertise on this business, I lastly really feel that I’ve the talent set and expertise to information a Warhammer Cinematic Universe into life,” he mentioned, including that the primary steps can be to discover a filmmaker, creator and author.
Cavill’s involvement was fuelling investor and viewers curiosity, with media reportssaying the avid Warhammer fan might star within the new mission and be concerned as govt producer, doubtlessly increasing the fanbase of the miniature recreation.
The 39-year-old British actor didn’t give particulars concerning the extent of his involvement.
On Thursday, the actor had confirmed he wouldn’t return as “Superman” within the DC universe and had in October introduced his exit as “Geralt of Rivia” on Netflix’s “The Witcher”, which additionally spans a book-to-game universe.
A self-proclaimed “geek”, Cavill has in a number of interviews shared his love for video video games and Warhammer itself, and has made no secret of how he relentlessly pursued makers of “The Witcher” to solid him on the present.
[1/4] Henry Cavill attends a premiere for the movie Avatar: The Approach of Water, at Dolby theatre in Los Angeles, California, U.S., December 12, 2022. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni
He shocked followers in the beginning of the pandemic and posted an image on social media platform Instagram of his “nearly life-long” interest, portray a miniature from Video games Workshop.
DIFFERENT STRATOSPHERE
Video games Workshop’s shares soared 15% on Friday.
“Amazon’s deep pockets and its big attain, greater than 50% of British households have an Amazon Prime account, places (the Video games Workshop deal) in a special stratosphere,” AJ Bell analyst Russ Mould mentioned in a observe.
The sport firm, founded more than 30 years ago, makes tabletop fantasy and futuristic battle video games together with “Warhammer 40,000”, which is about within the forty first millennium.
Amazon, whose shares had been down 0.5% in U.S. premarket buying and selling, didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.
The event follows Amazon’s dear prequel collection to J.R.R. Tolkien’s “Lord of the Rings” novels – “The Rings of Energy”, which set a file debut in September for a Prime Video collection after being watched by greater than 25 million viewers.
Video games Workshop mentioned Amazon’s content material unit would develop its mental property into movie and tv productions, starting with the “Warhammer 40,000” universe.
The British agency mentioned that it could additionally grant merchandising rights to Amazon, and that the U.S. firm would begin creating the mission, together with holding preliminary discussions with writers.
Reporting by Pushkala Aripaka and Yadarisa Shabong in Bengaluru; Modifying by Rashmi Aich, Mark Potter and Louise Heavens
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