Active developments toward a live-action adaptation of the hit Ubisoft game, The Division, have been stirring moreso since 2016 with the casting of actor Jake Gyllenhaal and with stunt action feature hitmaker David Leitch tapped to direct just last Spring.
Going forward, the word is out with Netflix announcing its acquisition of the feature film that now sets screenwriter Rafe Judkins to put pen-to-paper on the project. Joining Gyllenhaal to star and produce will be actress Jessica Chastain who will partake in the same capacity.
In the near future, a pandemic virus is spread via paper money on Black Friday, decimating the city of New York and killing millions. By Christmas, what’s left of society has descended into chaos. A group of civilians, trained to operate in catastrophic times, are activated in an attempt to save who and what remains.
Leitch’s 87North banner will produce alongside Gyllenhaal’s Nine Stories, Chastain’s Freckle Films, and with Ubisoft Film and Television.
The Division quickly became the fastest-selling new IP in video game history following its launch in 2016, and currently has more than 20 million players. Its March follow-up this year, The Division 2, garnered critical acclaim and continues to provide players with new content on an ongoing basis.
Leitch, the present helmer of recent hits like Deadpool 2 and Atomic Blonde has Universal’s The Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw pending for August. Judkins is currently developing Amazon series, Wheel of Time, based on the acclaimed fantasy novels.
Chastain has the upcoming release of Andy Muschietti’s It: Chapter Two in September, with Tate Taylor actioner, Eve, setting in from Voltage, and the forthcoming production of ensemble spy thriller, 355, which just cast Diane Kruger.
Gyllenhaal just appeared in Dan Gilroy’s Velvet Buzzsaw and will next make his entry into the Marvel fray as Mysterio opposite Tom Holland in Spider-Man: Far From Home on July 2 from Sony Pictures.
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Director @DavidMLeitch, @Jes_Chastain, and Jake Gyllenhaal are bringing Ubisoft’s The Division to Netflix. It’s the Tom Clancy high-stakes action you love, in the pandemic stricken Manhattan that offers no second chances. pic.twitter.com/cpi6JCp4EM
— Netflix Geeked (@NetflixGeeked) June 10, 2019