Following the massive worldwide success ofFallout, Prime Video is looking to adapt another successful video game franchise into a television series in the form ofMass Effect. A sci-fi epic launched in 2007,Mass Effectfollows the adventures of Commander Sheppard as he attempts to save the galaxy from a powerful foe known as the Reapers. Sheppard is accompanied by a loyal crew of companions, encompassing the franchise’s vast array of aliens. The series, which includesMass Effect 2(2010),Mass Effect 3(2012), andMass Effect: Andromeda(2017), is critically acclaimed andregarded as one of the best video game series of all time.
Varietyreports that Amazon MGM is moving forward with aMass Effecttelevision series.Daniel Casey,who is best known as the writer ofF9: The Fast Saga, is set to write and executive produce the series. Former SVP of Original Programming & Production at Marvel Television Karim Zriek is on board as executive producer through his Cedar Tree Productions banner. Meanwhile, former chief creative officer of Marvel EntertainmentAvi Aradis also on board as executive producer alongside Electronic Arts, the owner of Bioware, Michael Gamble. No plot details are confirmed for the series. The news was announced on November 7, whatMass Effectfans call N-7 Day, named after the N7 from the armor worn by Commander Shepard.
With how popularMass Effectis as a game series and various tie-in comics and novels, various studios have tried to launch an adaptation of it. In 2010, around the timeMass Effect 2was coming out, Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures acquired the rights to the franchise and were looking to produce a feature film. However, the movie struggled in development hell as the producers and writers struggled to fit the game’s narrative into a single feature film. Then, in November 2021, the same yearMass Effect: Legendary Editionwas released, it was first reported thatPrime Video was developingMass Effectas a television series.
Mass Effect Could Be The Next Game of Thrones (If Done Well)
News of aMass Effecttelevision series certainly will have fans excited. With its massive scope, incredible worldbuilding with rich lore, and memorable characters,this is a television show that could theoretically run for years and be the nextGame of Thrones.However,developingMass Effectas a series also comes with some complications, as the creative team will need to make some concrete decisions about the story, whereas the games are all based on player choices impacting the flow of the story and characters. The series' choices will likely divide some fans, so it is a slightly uphill battle.
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The creative team behindMass Effectis also likely cause for concern, most notably Avi Arad. Avi Arad might be best known for his early work at Marvel, having helped produce the early superhero hits of the 2000s likeX-MenandSpider-Man, but he was also involved in some of the misfires likeDaredevil,Fantastic Four, andGhost Rider. Since leaving Marvel, he has had a string of flops fromBratztoGhost in the Shell. His history with video games is also spotty, as many fans were disappointed with the changes made toUncharted, and his recent video game adaptation,Borderlands, was a box office and critical flop. Arad is now the producer ofMass Effectand the upcomingThe Legend of Zelda, which meanstwo of the biggest video game franchises are in his hands. Hopefully,Mass Effectwill assemble a strong creative team and a talented cast, and the series will turn out more likeThe Last of UsthanHalo.
