Netflix’s upcoming live-action Assassin’s Creed series is officially moving forward with Toby Wallace cast as a co-lead and filming planned for early 2026 in Rome, Italy. The series marks a significant step after five years since Netflix acquired the rights to adapt Ubisoft’s iconic video game franchise. It will be set during Ancient Rome, focusing on the latter years of the Roman Republic, a time when Julius Caesar rose to power, though no existing franchise characters will appear.
The Assassin’s Creed games, launched in 2007, are known for their blend of historical settings and sci-fi elements revolving around the secretive conflict between two factions: the Assassins, who fight to preserve humanity’s free will, and the Templars, who seek control over humanity’s destiny. The modern-day storyline often involves Abstergo, the Templars’ tech company, which uses the animus device to access ancestral memories in search of powerful ancient relics called Pieces of Eden. The Netflix series will likely explore this central conflict between the Assassins and the Templars, mirroring the games’ narrative.
The showrunners Roberto Patino (Westworld) and David Wiener (Homecoming) lead the creative team, supported by a seasoned group of producers and writers from Ubisoft Film & Television and the industry. While plot specifics remain under wraps, the decision to film in Rome aligns with the franchise’s strongest historical settings—such as those featuring Ezio Auditore de Firenze during the Renaissance—which have remained beloved by fans despite recent controversies surrounding the latest game release, Assassin’s Creed: Shadows.
Given the mixed history of video game adaptations, including the 2016 Assassin’s Creed film starring Michael Fassbender which was a critical and financial failure, this series represents a high-risk venture. However, the potential of episodic storytelling to delve into ancestral memories and historical secrets through the animus device could uniquely harness the games’ rich lore and mechanics such as stealth, parkour, and combat, potentially revitalizing the franchise for both existing fans and new audiences.
In summary, Netflix’s Assassin’s Creed series aims to bring a beloved yet complex video game universe to life on screen with Toby Wallace co-leading in a story set in the politically turbulent Ancient Rome of Julius Caesar’s time. This live-action adaptation hopes to capture the essence of the franchise’s long-running conflict between Assassins and Templars, blending action, mystery, and historical drama while leveraging the unique storytelling device of ancestral memory exploration .
