Netflix hires Dune and Prometheus writer for Gears of War movie

Academy Award-nominated screenwriter Jon Spaihts has been tapped to pen the live-action Gears of War movie for Netflix.

Most recently, Spaihts was nominated for an Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay for Dune, which he co-wrote with director Denis Villeneuve and Eric Roth.

He also co-wrote the upcoming sequel, and his previous credits include Prometheus, Doctor Strange, Passengers, and The Mummy.

“Gears of War is one of the best action games of all time, with vivid characters, a beautifully designed world, and a combat system that drives home the lethality of war and the importance of supporting your squadmates” , Spaihts told Netflix. “He wants to be film, and I’m delighted to have the opportunity to help make that happen.”

Netflix announced last November that it had partnered with game developer The Coalition to launch a number of Gears of War projects, including the live-action movie.

He said the movie would be followed by an adult animated Gears of War series and possibly more projects. The news was announced to coincide with the 16th anniversary of the release of the Gears of War franchise.

Today’s announcement suggests that Gears of War looks set to at least cover the events of the first game, in which disgraced sergeant Marcus Fenix ​​leads humanity’s last stand against a monstrous underground race called the Locust Horde.