Assassin's Creed Movie Sequel Coming, Fassbender on Board - Report

The Tracking Board is reporting that New Regency is moving forward with a sequel to the Assassin's Creed movie, which doesn't open until December. We have heard rumblings of more movies already, but this new report specifically states that star Michael Fassbender is on board for the follow-up.

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Not only will Fassbender return for the sequel as its star and producer, but a number of other key production partners will come back, The Tracking Board says.

"That the studio is already laying the groundwork for the sequel is hardly surprising, given the international appeal of both the game and its star, Fassbender," the site reported. "But skeptics of video game-based films may interpret this move as a sign of confidence from those involved that, unlike previous attempts to bring popular video game properties to the big screen, Assassin’s Creed could not only work--but thrive."

The site points out that previous attempts to make franchises out of video game properties have had mixed results. The Resident Evil and Tomb Raider film franchises are among those that have seen multiple installments.

Video game movies have a track record of mediocrity, but some are saying Assassin's Creed, with its high-profile talent and Ubisoft's commitment to creative some control, could help reverse the trend.

Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot recently said the movie's "all-star" cast (Fassbender, Marion Cotillard, Jeremy Irons, and Brendan Gleeson), its "outstanding" director Justin Kurzel, along with its production partners, give the film a chance to become one of year's biggest hits.

Additionally, because there is no new mainline Assassin's Creed game coming this year, the movie's marketing team has more space and opportunity to promote the film.

Indeed, the casting for the Assassin's Creed movie is impressive. Cotillard is an Oscar-winner and Fassbender has been nominated multiple times. Kurzel's latest movie, Macbeth, which also starred Fassbender and Cotillard in the lead roles, received a generally positive critical response. None of this guarantees Assassin's Creed will break the trend of video game movies not being very good, of course.

Assassin's Creed opens on December 21, 2016, one week after Star Wars spinoff Rogue One is released. The movie finished filming in January and is now in post-production.

Recently, Fassbender cited The Matrix as an inspiration for the Assassin's Creed film.

"This idea of DNA memory elevates it from a basic fantasy genre [piece], because you have something an audience can actually believe in," he said. "Then the journey becomes so much more elevated, because you're on board in a different way."

Fassbender also said the Assassin's Creed film will not rely heavily on CG shots. The film will include the franchise's trademark "leap of faith" jumps, and at least one of which was performed by a stuntman who leapt 120 feet without a rope.

Ubisoft has at least six movies in the pipeline. In addition to Assassin's Creed, the Paris-based publisher is making movies based on its Far Cry, Rabbids, Watch Dogs, Splinter Cell, and Ghost Recon franchises. In all instances, Ubisoft will retain some level of creative control through its Ubisoft Motion Pictures group.

For more on movie adaptations of video games, check out GameSpot's gallery of 18 video game films currently in production.