David Leitch in Talks to Direct Netflix’s ‘Gears of War’ Adaptation

May 16, 2025 : Action auteur David Leitch is reportedly in negotiations to helm Netflix’s upcoming live-action adaptation of the hit video game franchise Gears of War, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The streaming giant has partnered with The Coalition Studio, the Canadian developer behind the long-running video game series, to bring the gritty, post-apocalyptic world of Gears of War to the screen. The screenplay is being penned by Jon Spaihts, known for his work on Dune and Doctor Strange.

Leitch, along with his producing partner and wife Kelly McCormick, will produce the film through their 87North production banner, in collaboration with The Coalition.

Originally launched in 2006, Gears of War is set on the planet Sera, a world on the edge of collapse. Humanity faces extinction as they battle terrifying subterranean monsters known as the Locust Horde. The game became a global phenomenon for its visceral third-person gameplay, compelling characters, and intense military storytelling.

Leitch has carved out a niche as one of Hollywood’s top-tier action directors. After co-directing John Wick (2014) with Chad Stahelski, he went on to deliver hit films like Atomic Blonde (2017), Deadpool 2 (2018), Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw (2019), and Bullet Train (2022). Most recently, he directed The Fall Guy (2024), which continued his reputation for slick, high-octane storytelling.

Beyond Gears of War, Leitch is also prepping his next project, How to Rob a Bank, a crime thriller starring Nicholas Hoult, Pete Davidson, and Anna Sawai. The plot is largely under wraps, but it reportedly involves clever robbers live-streaming their heists while dodging law enforcement. The film is set to hit theatres on September 4, 2026.

With Netflix backing the project and Leitch’s action pedigree, the Gears of War adaptation could become the platform’s next major franchise entry in the world of video game-inspired storytelling.