David Leitch in talks to direct Netflix’s Gears of War adaptation

David Leitch, the filmmaker behind The Fall Guy and Bullet Train, is set to bring his high-octane style to one of Xbox’s most iconic video game franchises. The action director is in negotiations to helm Gears of War, Netflix’s long-gestating adaptation of the hit video game.

Based on the best-selling video game series developed by The Coalition, Gears of War is set on a dystopian planet teetering on collapse, where subterranean creatures known as the Locust emerge to wage war on humanity. The story follows Delta Squad, a ragtag unit led by disgraced sergeant Marcus Fenix, tasked with mounting a final defence against extinction.

Leitch will produce the feature alongside his longtime collaborator and wife, Kelly McCormick, through their 87North production banner, with The Coalition also producing.

Script duties are in the hands of Jon Spaihts, known for co-writing Dune and its sequel. Leitch’s trajectory from stuntman to blockbuster director makes him a compelling choice for Gears of War, a franchise defined by brutal, kinetic action. His résumé includes the stylised spy thriller Atomic Blonde, superhero hit Deadpool 2, and franchise extension Hobbs & Shaw. His most recent film, The Fall Guy, was a tribute to the stunt world, starring Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt.

Up next, Leitch is set to direct How to Rob a Bank, a heist film for Amazon MGM starring Nicholas Hoult and Anna Sawai.