Although it was first revealed back in 2022, it’s taken until now for Amazon and Games Workshop (and their mutual bestie, Henry Cavill) to agree on how to make a Warhammer 40K project. Now, they just have to start writing the damn thing.
Earlier today Games Workshop confirmed that, following discussions that have taken the best part of the last year–with a deadline set to expire in just a few weeks at the end of 2024–it has come to an agreement with Amazon over the rights to its grimdark sci-fi tabletop universe.
“Further to its announcement on 18 December 2023, Games Workshop is pleased to announce that it has now agreed creative guidelines and reached a final agreement with Amazon Content Services LLC, a subsidiary of Amazon.com, Inc., (“Amazon”) for the adaption of Games Workshop’s Warhammer 40,000 universe into films and television series, together with associated merchandising rights,” a statement released this morning to investors reads in part. The deal, as previously revealed, not only gives Amazon the rights to adapt Warhammer 40K, but, after the release of at least one production using those rights, the option to license an equivalent license for Warhammer Fantasy (presumably either Games Workshop’s classic fantastical setting, Warhammer Fantasy Battles, or its contemporary re-imagining, Age of Sigmar).
“It means we now have synopsis and ordering for the stories we’re going to tell… yep, we said stories,” Games Workshop added in a blog post discussing the news. “It might have taken a year but it was a year well spent! And what fun–sifting through the enormity of the Warhammer 40,000 universe, debating characters, story arcs and the thematic grit that underpins it all.” The model-maker emphasized that, even though this does finally put into motion a plan for Amazon’s take on Warhammer, the first project to emerge from the deal is still going to take a long time to reach audiences.
“Project One is about to go into development proper. So, next up is the script/s that will form the basis of everything else to come,” Games Workshop continued. “Of course, as with all carefully crafted things, this all takes time… and trust us when we say, everyone involved is las-focused on getting it all just right.”
The fact that it’s taking time is probably why Henry Cavill, who will produce (and presumably star at some point) in Amazon’s Warhammer 40K plans, decided to celebrate the news by popping into his local hobby store and buying some miniatures.
“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,” Cavill said in an Instagram post. “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!”
Now, in the grim dark future of the 41st millennium, there is only the waiting game. Which is significantly less fun than Warhammer, but a necessary part of this process.
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