Overwatch became a runaway success for Blizzard Entertainment with over 20 million players worldwide since its release back in May of this year, and it seems that Activision Blizzard may want to take it further with something like an animated movie or show for Overwatch.
This isn’t exactly recent news as this rumor had been circulating since late last year, but it has been gaining some steam due to the game’s popularity and the establishment of Activision Blizzard Studios.
Activision Blizzard Studios
Even with the aftermath of BlizzCon 2016, where there was no word mentioned about this rumor on an Overwatch film or show, it is not an impossibility. Activision Blizzard opened a movie and TV studio last year, which recently premiered Skylanders Academy on Netflix and is said to be currently working on a Call of Duty movie.
Activision Blizzard spokesperson Stacey Sher has mentioned that something similar to Skylanders Academy is being explored at the moment. Activision Blizzard CEO Nick Van Dyke has expressed optimism about the idea of video games crossing over to film, saying that it’s easier to do when the game has millions of players.
The Warcraft Movie
The lukewarm critical and box office reception of the Warcraft movie, in North America, may have put a bit of a damper on plans, even though the movie performed well outside the domestic market.
However, it’s worth noting that the response to the Warcraft movie from World of Warcraft players and fans have been mostly positive, and both Blizzard and movie producers are now exploring the option of making a sequel that’s to be produced by Activision Blizzard Studios.
The Possibility of an Overwatch Film or Show
With the story and lore of the game told mostly outside the game itself, a feature film or series certainly wouldn’t go amiss. The animated shorts themselves have been instrumental in the game’s popularity over other titles in the multiplayer online shooter arena genre, and Overwatch fans have taken to expanding the lore further in their own way through tons of fan art.
While they are indeed exploring this idea, Blizzard is proceeding “cautiously and gently,” which is understandable as creating a feature film is indeed different from making a video game. There are also talks about the possibility of Starcraft or Diablo films as well, but that’s also speculation.
With the upcoming Call of Duty movie making a buzz, perhaps another movie based on Overwatch isn’t that far away.
