Amazon Studios has announced that it has secured the rights to Warhammer 40,000, and plans to start a “universe of Warhammer programming” that will be executive produced by and star Henry Cavill.
Revealed on the official Warhammer Community website, Amazon has secured the global rights for Warhammer 40,000, the sci-fi universe created by Games Workshop. “The agreement encompasses rights to the universe across series, film, and more,” says the statement from Amazon Studios.
“This is the first deal of its kind for Amazon Studios for IP of this scale, and it allows the company to utilize the title across its entertainment businesses,” it continues. “Henry Cavill (Man of Steel, Mission: Impossible – Fallout) is set to star in and executive produce the Warhammer 40,000 franchise across all Amazon Studios productions.”
Right now, Amazon Studios only has the rights for Warhammer 40,000. There are no announced TV shows or movies, and so it may be many years before we see any projects materialise. As such, there’s no word on who Henry Cavill may play across what is described as a Wahammer 40k “cinematic universe”. However, talking to IGN last year, Cavill did express interest in playing one of the Primarchs or Captain-Generals - very high-ranking key characters from the Warhammer mythos.
While concrete details on shows and films are likely a way off, Cavill nonetheless seems excited to be bringing the grimdark universe to life.
“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,” said Cavill. “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.”
Over on Instagram, Cavill echoed his excitement in a post that concluded by saying "Our first steps are to find our Filmmaker/Creator/Writer. Watch this space, my friends."
Amazon’s press release explains that Vertigo Entertainment partnered with Henry Cavill to help secure the rights to Warhammer 40,000 and bring it to Amazon Studios. As such, it seems like Cavill is spearheading the operation. Considering his love for the universe, that is hopefully a very good things for fans of Space Marines, the Inquisition, Aeldari, and all other sorts of intergalactic horrors.
Matt Purslow is IGN's UK News and Features Editor.
source https://www.ign.com/articles/warhammer-40000-amazon-studios-henry-cavill