Summary
Henry Cavill has long been public about his affection forWarhammer 40,000, so the actor’s involvement in the upcoming adaptation of the long-running game has been welcomed. After no news on the project for almost two years, an update has revealed the project is finally making headway at Amazon.
Warhammer 40Kbegan as a miniature wargame by Games Workshop in 1987. Over the years, it also expanded into novels, tabletop games, and video games - including the popularSpace Marineseries. The franchise takes place in a futuristic setting where aliens, the supernatural, and fantasy all combine.Warhammer 40Khas been likened in some ways to another tabletop roleplaying franchise,Dungeons & Dragons. In 2022,Amazon MGM purchased the rights to the gameand began adapting it with Vertigo’s Jim Lee and Natalie Viscuso, with actor Henry Cavill also set to star and executive produce the series.
Warhammer 40K Series In Development at Amazon
The IP has been dormant for the two years since Amazon acquired the rights toWarhammer 40K.However, a recentreport from Deadlineindicates things are finally moving on the adaptation. The outlet reports that aWarhammer 40Kseries is now officially in development and, while a showrunner hasn’t been named, sources say a mini writers’ room has been assembled to begin developing the story. Before this, it wasn’t entirely clear whether Amazon’s adaptation would result in a movie or series adaptation of the IP, but now it appears the first project from the studio will indeed be a TV series.
The news comes right before the December 2024deadline provided by Games Workshopin its agreement with Amazon that the two companies must mutually agree on the creative guidelines for the series for Amazon to retain the rights to its IP. Cavill’s attachment is no doubt a great bargaining chip in the series’ development. The actor has long been public abouthis obsession with the game, notably admitting to his enjoyment of paintingWarhammer 40Kfigurines on the Graham Norton Show. That’s why in 2022, shortly after the actor lost his role as Superman in the DCU and departedThe Witcher, fans were overjoyed to learnCavill would be involved in adapting his passion projectfor the screen.
Henry Cavill Reacts To News of Warhammer 40K Series' Development
Cavill provided an update on Instagram following the news ofWarhammer 40Kmoving into development, saying he and his team have “been working away in concept rooms, breaking down approaches to the enormity and magnificence of theWarhammerworld.” He added that their efforts have led them to a “fantastic place” to start theWarhammer 40Kuniverse at Amazon, and promised more updates to come.
My incredible team and I, alongside the brilliant minds at Games Workshop, have been working away in concept rooms, breaking down approaches to the enormity and magnificence of the Warhammer world. Together, we’ve been sifting through the plethora of incredible characters and poring over old tomes and texts. Our combined efforts have led us to a fantastic place to start our Universe, which has been agreed upon by those up on high at both Amazon and Games Workshop. That starting place shall, for now, remain a secret. Watch this space, though—more to come in time!
Amazon has made its game adaptations a priority in recent months following the success of series likeFallout, which recently went into production on Season 2. There is also much anticipation for the studio’s adaptation of Sony Santa Monica’sGod of Wargames. Those waiting for more news onWarhammer 40K, however, will first be able to see the game adapted in a dedicated episode of Amazon’santhology seriesSecret Level.
