The Division: Ubisoft Announces Writer-Director for Next Videogame Film

Ubisoft is moving forward with its planned film adaptation of its hit game The Division and has attached a serious talent to write and direct it.

Ubisoft Motion Pictures announced today that Academy Award winner Stephen Gaghan will write and direct the upcoming film. Gaghan is most known for his stellar work on Traffic and Syriana, both of which garnered critical acclaim.

“We are really excited to bring Stephen’s unique vision of the game to film audiences around the globe,” said Gerard Guillemot, Chief Executive Officer, Ubisoft Motion Pictures. “We can’t wait for Stephen’s remarkable passion and talent to bring the astonishing world of The Division to life,” added Matt Phelps, Vice President and Head of Development, Ubisoft Motion Pictures.

As for Gaghan himself, he is excited to bring the popular world of the hit video game to the big screen, saying “I’m excited to work with Ubisoft Motion Pictures and collaborate with their team at Massive Entertainment to bring The Division to the big screen, they’re great guys, exceptionally creative, and willing to take risks,” shared writer and director, Stephen Gaghan. “The game has been an enormous success, in large part due to the visual landscape they created, their vision of a mid-apocalyptic Manhattan. It’s immersive, wonderfully strange, and yet familiar, filled with possibilities. It’s also remarkable to be able to collaborate with Jessica Chastain and Jake Gyllenhaal early in the process. We all feel the story Ubisoft created is more relevant than ever.”

Ubisoft’s latest production effort, the Michael Fassbender-starring Assassin’s Creed, was not the home run the studio was hoping for. Against a budget of $125 million plus the amount they used to market it, it has only earned over $53 million domestically so far. It is fairing a bit better internationally, with a worldwide total of over $186 million.

The Division stars Academy Award nominees Jessica Chastain and Jake Gyllenhaal and still has no official release date.

MORE MOVIES: Logan Official Rating Still Being Decided By MPAA / This Is What Pierce Brosnan Could Look Like As Mr. Sinister / Zack Snyder Shares Stunning New Batman Photo / 5 Coolest Moments From The Power Rangers Trailer