Games Workshop has broken its year-long silence on Henry Cavill's hotly anticipated Warhammer 40,000 Cinematic Universe for Amazon, insisting it's now full steam ahead.
A year after Amazon Studios announced it had secured the rights to Warhammer 40,000 and planned to start a “universe of Warhammer programming” that would be executive produced by and star Henry Cavill, Games Workshop has finally confirmed it had signed a “full agreement” contract with Amazon, “and the next stage can begin.”
Warhammer 40,000 is Games Workshop’s science fiction universe used as the setting for its hugely popular tabletop wargame starring the iconic Space Marines. It’s a grimdark universe in which humanity clings on to survival in the face of terrifying threats within and without the fascist Imperium.
It sounds like Games Workshop and Amazon, alongside Cavill, are workshopping what Warhammer 40,000 stories it wants to tell, getting the first script written and then into production. It’s unclear whether the project should kick off with a movie or a TV show. Games Workshop teases it may end up doing both first.
“All we can tell you right now is that an elite band of screenwriters, each with their own particular passion for Warhammer, is being assembled to help bring the setting and characters you love to the screen,” Games Workshop said in a blog post. “This illustrious group will be championed by Henry Cavill, who stands ready to take his place as executive producer – bringing his pen, sword and/or spear to the project.”
While this is certainly exciting news for Warhammer 40,000 fans, they shouldn’t hold their breath for a first look. Games Workshop moved to manage expectations by saying it often takes a few years for any film or TV show to materialise after contracts are signed.
“TV and film production is a mammoth undertaking,” Games Workshop said. “It’s not unusual for projects to take two to three years from this point before something arrives on screen. Still, things are now properly rolling, and you can bet we’ll bring you all the latest updates and cool snippets as soon as we’re able.”
Right now, there’s no word on who Henry Cavill may play across the Wahammer 40,000 Cinematic Universe. However, talking to IGN in 2021, Cavill did express interest in playing one of the Primarchs or Captain-Generals, who are high-ranking key characters from the Warhammer mythos. (It’s going to be Roboute Guilliman, isn’t it?)
At the time Cavill, a famous Warhammer 40,000 fan, sounded super excited about the project. “I have loved Warhammer since I was boy, making this moment truly special for me,” he said. “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.”
Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.
source https://www.ign.com/articles/henry-cavills-warhammer-40000-cinematic-universe-now-properly-rolling