Tired of Tolkien’s middle earth? Weary of Potter’s wizarding world? Flagging of flights of fancy in galaxies far, far away? A new fantasy franchise is poised to vie for your attention.
Games Workshop, the UK-based maker of the popular miniature Warhammer 40,000 table top wargame, has struck a deal with Amazon to make films and TV series based on its science fiction fantasy games.
The deal will grant Amazon exclusive TV and film rights to the company’s hit game franchise Warhammer 40,000. The companies said screenwriters would now start developing stories for films and television series involving the Warhammerf characters and themes.
A year after Amazon Studios said it had secured the rights, the two have hammered out a formal deal and plan to start a “universe of Warhammer programming” to be executive produced by and star former Superman actor Henry Cavill, who also appeared in the Netflix fantasy series The Witcher.
Cavill, a fan of the game off the screen, said when he announced his excitement at being involved: “I have loved Warhammer since I was boy, making this moment truly special for me.
“The opportunity to shepherd this cinematic universe from its inception is quite the honour and the responsibility. I couldn’t be more grateful for all the hard work put in by Vertigo, Amazon and Games Workshop to make this happen. One step closer to making a nigh-on lifelong dream come true.”
Nottingham-based Games Workshop told investors it had signed a “full agreement” contract with Amazon, adding: “And the next stage can begin.”
In a statement, the company said: “Games Workshop and Amazon will work together for a period of 12 months to agree creative guidelines for the films and television series to be developed by Amazon.
“The agreement will only proceed once the creative guidelines are mutually agreed between Games Workshop and Amazon.”
It warned fans to be patient. “It’s not unusual for projects to take two to three years from this point before something arrives on screen.”
Games Workshop shares jumped by around 16 per cent when the deal was announced and rose another 4 per cent after it was confirmed.
Amazon also holds an option to license equivalent rights for other productions in the Warhammer Fantasy universe, after the initial release of Warhammer 40,000 titles.
Games Workshop said it would not change its full-year financial forecasts despite the deal.
Andrew Wade, equity analyst at Jefferies, said: “There will be a 12-month period to agree creative guidelines, but we had always anticipated an extended timeline (up to three years) until 40k actually hits the screens.
“Fundamentally, we think the deal offers substantial long-term upside for Warhammer to build its global brand exposure.”