The highly anticipated live-action adaptation of the Assassin’s Creed franchise, which boasts millions of fans worldwide, will transport viewers to Ancient Rome in 64 AD. Filming for the series, which promises a completely original story, has officially commenced at Italy’s renowned Cinecittà Studios. While the game series has previously explored Egypt, Greece, Renaissance Italy, Feudal Japan, and Revolutionary France, this marks the first time Ancient Rome takes center stage.
Assassin’s Creed Adaptation Set in Ancient Rome: Netflix Unveils New Cast
The narrative will center around the Great Fire of Rome, which raged for days near the Circus Maximus. While historical rumors suggest Emperor Nero intentionally started the blaze to bypass the Senate and rebuild the city to his liking, modern historians believe it began accidentally. Production, which started on March 9, is scheduled for a seven-month shoot ending on October 16, with a targeted release in 2027. Filming is utilizing massive reconstructions of the Roman Forum alongside locations in the Lazio and Tuscany regions.
A Powerhouse Creative Team
Directed by Johan Renck (Chernobyl), the project has added fresh faces to its cast, including Louis McCartney, Mirren Mack, Youssef Kerkour, and Sandra Guldberg-Kampp. They join an ensemble featuring Lola Petticrew, Toby Wallace, Zachary Hart, Laura Marcus, Tanzyn Crawford, Nabhann Rizwan, Claes Bang, Noomi Rapace, Ramzy Bedia, Sean Harris, and Corrado Invernizzi. The series is being penned by Roberto Patino (Westworld) and David Wiener.
Since 2007, the franchise has sold over 230 million copies across 14 main titles. This adaptation will focus on the eternal war between the Templars and the Assassins, genetic memories, and the artifacts known as Pieces of Eden. The struggle between those seeking to control humanity’s fate and those defending free will remains the core theme. The production benefits from Italy’s 40% tax incentive, with Cinecittà CEO Manuela Cacciamani expressing pride in Netflix selecting their facilities for such an ambitious world-building project.
What do you think about this big-budget adaptation of one of gaming’s most iconic franchises? How do you feel about experiencing the Assassin’s Creed universe through the lens of Ancient Rome? Share your thoughts in the comments!
