We’ve seen quite a few fantasy television announcements in recent months but one that has been sorely missing for quite some time is an adaptation of the iconic ‘Warhammer 40,000.’ Now, Frank Spotnitz (‘The Man In The High Castle,’ ‘The X-Files’) is bringing a live-action take on this popular tabletop RPG world which has been fleshed out extensively in novels to life. Spotnitz’s Big Light Productions will be developing the series under the working title of ‘Eisenhorn.’ Spotnitz is set to be both the showrunner and will be an executive producer with Big Light creative director Emily Feller.

At this time, no streaming service or network is attached to distribute the series.

‘Eisenhorn’ will follow “Inquisitor Gregor Eisenhorn and his band of investigators fight to thwart the monstrous schemes of aliens, heretics, and daemons before mankind’s doom is sealed.” It is set against the backdrop of “humanity’s armies wage unending war across a million battlefields” where “in the darkness, a secret conflict rages – fought by the agents of the Imperial Inquisition.”

As to the source material, the new show will be based upon comic book author Dan Abnett’s novels.

When talking about the series, Spotnitz has shared that:

“We are delighted to collaborate with Games Workshop to develop the beloved visionary world of Warhammer 40,000 into a TV series. Warhammer 40,000 is steeped in rich and complex lore, with a myriad of traditions and stories that have accumulated over time in this thrilling and complex world, making it one of the most exciting properties to adapt for television audiences and the franchise’s loyal global fanbase. There is nothing else like it on television, and we are incredibly excited to tap into our own experience creating imaginative, complex, and compelling worlds to bring this incredible saga to the screen.”

There is indeed nothing even remotely like this world that can be seen on television. This release presents an exciting opportunity for bringing in new viewers with the concept and attracting the millions of fans of the franchise who have clamored for a television series or cinematic experience for years.

Games Workshop’s Global Head of Marketing & Media Andy Smillie added:

“We’re thrilled to be working with Frank and his team at Big Light. Warhammer 40,000 has a massive global fanbase – they are a passionate community of Warhammer hobbyists who love to engage with our characters, stories, and games. I’m truly delighted we are able to develop a show that will reward their loyalty. Inquisitor Eisenhorn represents one of the best-loved characters within our worlds, and we’re excited to share his exploits and adventures with audiences new and old. Frank and his outstanding team at Big Light have done amazing things with other properties, bringing complex worlds to the screen, and we can’t wait to see what our partnership produces for the grim darkness of Warhammer 40,000.”

Finally, Abnett who wrote the trilogy it will be based upon stated:

“Gregor Eisenhorn is a relentless force in the dark future of the Warhammer universe: a destroyer of daemons and a purger of heretics, implacable, powerful and dedicated. But the appeal to me, from the moment I started writing him, was his complexity. He is not the simple, ruthless hero he appears to be. His battle with the Warp leads him into dark places and forces him to question his duty, his understanding of the Imperium, and his own identity. With Eisenhorn, it’s not just the adventures, and they are certainly vivid: it’s the journey he takes to the very limits of what he is and what it means to be loyal.”

Duty, honor, excitement, fantasy, noir, hard science fiction – this show is going to have it all! I’m eager to see who ends up being cast on the show and who we’ll be able to see it through.

Are you excited about ‘Eisenhorn’ being developed as a television series? Do you think that a “Warhammer 40,000” based show is long overdue and is going to attract a high viewership from across the globe? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

 

Source: Deadline