Deadline has reported that Paramount TV and Anonymous Content have optioned the rights to EA’s Battlefield franchise to adapt the hit video game series into a TV series.
Earlier this year EA DICE revealed that the next game for the franchise, Battlefield 1, would be releasing in October of this year and would take place during WWI. Fans of the series rejoiced at hearing that the new game would venture into the heart of historical warfare rather than continue on with the popular trend of modern and advanced weaponry and futuristic settings. Now, EA is set to bring even more Battlefield content to the screen with the hopes that the franchises 60 million players will flock to the TV screen to see the warfare drama unfold.
Anonymous Content’s Michael Sugar, producer of the Oscar Award winning film Spotlight, will be attached to the project as an executive producer and seems enthusiastic about it, stating that “Battlefield has a tremendous built-in, engaged fan base, making it a highly coveted piece of IP primed for long-form adaptation”. “Together with EA and Paramount TV, we’ll develop the Battlefield TV series with the same commitment to robust storytelling that has made the game such a runaway success for nearly fifteen years.” Paramount TV president Amy Powell seemed optimistic about the prospect as well, stating that “EA’s Battlefield has an incredibly dynamic narrative, coupled with a loyal fan base, which will allow us to bring this exciting and unique property to the small screen. We look forward to working with EA and Anonymous Content and thank Michael Sugar for his tenacity in bringing us this exciting project.”
EA vice president Patrick O’Brien has also shown great faith in both Sugar and the potential series, “Michael’s track record speaks for itself. Combined with his passion for Battlefield, we cannot imagine a better team than Anonymous Content and Paramount for this project.” With all involved parties showing confidence and enthusiasm for the project, fans can be hopeful that the final product will be a solid piece of TV entertainment and not some easy cash-grab, but EA has been known attract such accusations in the past, so a certain level of caution is recommended.
Paramount TV and Anonymous content also has several other projects in the work, including a new Netflix series Maniac starring Jonah Hill and Emma Stone. Paramount TV has also revealed plans to develop TV series of the The Warriors, based of the film by Walter Hill.
There is no word yet on what the plot of the Battlefield series will be, nor any information on when the show will begin production or be released. For now, fans will just have to wait for more information as the project moves forward and eagerly await the release of Battlefield 1.