[UPDATE] Amazon and Games Workshop made everything official and actually revealed that plans are even bigger than initially reported, as the plan is to create a whole Warhammer 40K cinematic universe.
Jennifer Salke, head of Amazon and MGM Studios, said in a statement:
Warhammer 40,000 has captured the imagination of fans of all ages, from all walks of life, and all over the world. We are excited to work with Henry, Vertigo Entertainment, and Games Workshop across our Amazon entertainment businesses on this brilliant, immersive franchise for our global customers to experience for years to come.
Henry Cavill stated:
I have loved Warhammer since I was a boy, making this moment truly special for me. The opportunity to shepherd this cinematic universe from its inception is quite the honour and the responsibility. I couldn’t be more grateful for all the hard work put in by Vertigo, Amazon and Games Workshop to make this happen. One step closer to making a nigh-on lifelong dream come true.
Andy Smillie, creative director of GAW, added:
It’s great news and we’re absolutely thrilled; we’re working with a fantastic triumvirate in Henry, Vertigo, and Amazon. Henry’s well-known love of Warhammer 40,000—and his passion as a world-builder and storyteller—will serve us all well in the coming years. Finally, Warhammer will make it to the screen as the fans have hoped, and as they deserve. Exciting times!
The Warhammer 40K cinematic universe will be produced by Vertigo's Roy Lee (The Ring, The Departed, It, Barbarian) and Natalie Viscuso (The Mist, Scream series) alongside Cavill himself, GAW's Andy Smillie and Max Bottrill, and Amazon Studios.
[ORIGINAL STORY] According to a new rumor published a few hours ago by The Hollywood Reporter, Amazon Prime Video is closing in on a deal with Games Workshop to produce a TV series based on the popular Warhammer 40K IP. The report also mentions Vertigo Entertainment (The Stand, Them, and the upcoming Horizon and BioShock Netflix adaptations) would executive produce. Still, the most exciting part is that apparently, none other than Henry Cavill is attached to the project as an actor and an executive producer.
The renowned actor is known to be not only a gamer but also a massive fan of Warhammer 40K. He even paints his own miniatures. It's also an interesting turn of events for Cavill, given that he recently left The Witcher show (he will be replaced by Liam Hemsworth from the fourth season), where he played protagonist Geralt of Rivia. At first, Cavill announced he was going back to the role of Superman (after appearing in a brief Black Adam post-credits cameo). Earlier this week, though, DCU boss James Gunn revealed that wouldn't actually be the case, as the new plan is to have a much younger Superman attached to the DCU.
While Warhammer 40K is originally a miniature wargame, the IP has been increasingly adapted into video games lately. Fatshark's co-op first-person action game Darktide launched in late November; earlier this year, Warhammer 40K fans were also treated to the release of the turn-based tactics game Chaos Gate - Daemonhunters, not to mention the side-scrolling run and gun game Shootas, Blood & Teef. Next year should see the release of Owlcat's cRPG Rogue Trader and of Saber Interactive's highly anticipated sequel Space Marine 2.
Back to the Warhammer 40K TV series, Cavill would certainly make for a great Emperor of Mankind if the show was set during the Age of Strife and the following Unification Wars.
