David Leitch, the acclaimed director behind films like Atomic Blonde, Deadpool 2, Hobbs & Shaw, and Bullet Train, is reportedly in negotiations to helm Netflix's adaptation of the popular video game Gears of War. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Leitch would be joining forces with his producing partner Kelly McCormick, as well as the game's developer, The Coalition, to bring this explosive third-person action game to life on screen. The script is being penned by Jon Spaihts, known for his work on Dune.

It has been over two years since Netflix acquired the rights to Gears of War, and it appears that the project is finally gaining momentum. Alongside the movie, an adult animation series is also in development, set to expand the universe further if the initial adaptations prove successful.

One of the burning questions surrounding the film is who will portray the iconic protagonist, Marcus Fenix. Dave Bautista, a former wrestler turned actor, has publicly expressed his strong desire to take on the role, even earning the endorsement of Gears co-creator Cliff Bleszinski.

The timing couldn't be better for video game adaptations, with hits like The Super Mario Bros. Movie, A Minecraft Movie, and the Sonic films breaking box office records. Other successful adaptations include Uncharted, Mortal Kombat, and various Resident Evil movies.

In related news, Microsoft gaming chief Phil Spencer remains undeterred by the less-than-stellar reception of the Halo TV series. Spencer emphasized that Microsoft is learning from past projects, including Halo and Fallout, and is gaining confidence in their ability to adapt their video games into other media. He assured the Xbox community that more adaptations are on the horizon.

Meanwhile, The Coalition is currently developing Gears of War: E-Day, a prequel to the main series, though a release date has yet to be announced.

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