‘Far Cry’ TV Series Set at FX From Noah Hawley and Rob McElhenney
FX and Noah Hawley Embark on a New Frontier with ‘Far Cry’ Adaptation
Los Angeles – FX Productions is set to bring the adrenaline-fueled world of Ubisoft’s wildly popular “Far Cry” video game franchise to television, partnering with Emmy-winning creators Noah Hawley and Rob McElhenney (now known professionally as Rob Mac). The series, slated to stream on Hulu in the U.S. and Disney+ internationally, promises an anthology format mirroring the games, with each season unfolding in a distinct setting and featuring a new cast of characters.
A Proven Partnership: Hawley and Mac’s FX Legacy
This collaboration marks a significant moment for both Hawley and Mac, who already boast extensive and successful relationships with FX. Mac, the creative force behind the long-running and critically acclaimed comedy “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” – the longest-running live-action sitcom in American television history – also stars in and executive produces the Emmy-winning docuseries “Welcome to Wrexham.” Hawley, meanwhile, is the visionary behind the anthology series “Fargo”, the sci-fi thriller “Alien: Earth”, and the Marvel adaptation “Legion.”
“Getting to work alongside Noah Hawley is a dream realized,” Mac stated, expressing his enthusiasm for the project. “Ubisoft has been remarkably generous, entrusting us with one of the most iconic video-game worlds ever created. And through it all, my FX family continues to lift me up with their constant belief and support.”
Beyond the Screen: The Global Impact of ‘Far Cry’
The “Far Cry” franchise, which debuted in 2004, has captivated players worldwide with its open-world environments, compelling narratives, and often controversial themes. The series has sold over 100 million units globally, becoming a cornerstone of the action-adventure gaming landscape. The games are known for their immersive experiences, often placing players in the role of a lone operative battling against oppressive regimes in exotic locales. This success has translated into a significant cultural impact, sparking discussions about colonialism, political extremism, and the ethics of violence in video games.
According to a 2023 report by Newzoo, the global games market generated revenues of $184 billion, with action games representing a substantial portion of that figure. This demonstrates the enduring popularity of the genre and the potential audience for a high-quality television adaptation like “Far Cry.”
An Anthology Approach: Echoing the Games’ DNA
Hawley emphasized the importance of maintaining the anthology spirit of the games in the television adaptation. “What I love about the ‘Far Cry’ game franchise is it’s an anthology,” he explained. “Each game is a variation of a theme, the same way each season of ‘Fargo’ is a variation on a theme. To create a big action show that can change from year to year, while always exploring the nature of humanity through this complex and chaotic lens is a dream come true.”
This format allows for creative flexibility and the opportunity to explore diverse narratives within the “Far Cry” universe. Unlike a traditional serialized drama, each season can stand alone, attracting new viewers while rewarding long-time fans of the games. The anthology approach also mitigates the risk of creative fatigue, allowing the showrunners to continually reinvent the series and keep the storytelling fresh.
Ubisoft’s Expanding Footprint in Entertainment
This isn’t Ubisoft’s first foray into television. The company previously co-created and produced the Apple TV+ series “Mythic Quest,” demonstrating their commitment to expanding their intellectual property into other media. The “Far Cry” adaptation represents a significant step forward in this strategy, leveraging the brand recognition and loyal fanbase of one of their most successful franchises.
FX Entertainment President Nick Grad expressed his confidence in the partnership, stating, “FX has had magnificent partnerships with Rob Mac and Noah Hawley for a combined six series and 32 seasons of television, and we couldn’t be more excited that they are teaming up for ‘Far Cry.’ I have no doubt that they will tell this story in a way that is original, gripping and wildly entertaining. We also want to thank our partners at Ubisoft for entrusting us with this beloved property.”
While previous attempts have been made to adapt “Far Cry” to the screen – including a 2008 direct-to-video film and the animated series “Captain Laserhawk: A Blood Dragon Remix” on Netflix – this FX adaptation represents the most ambitious and high-profile effort to date. With Hawley and Mac at the helm, and the backing of FX and Ubisoft, “Far Cry” is poised to become the next major action-adventure series on television.
Rob Mac is represented by WME, 3 Arts, Narrative, and Sloane Offer. Noah Hawley is represented by WME, Untitled, and McKuin Frankel Whitehead. Ubisoft is represented by WME and Greenberg Glusker.
ARTICOL ORIGINAL:
FX has ordered a series adaptation of Ubisoft’s “Far Cry” video games from Noah Hawley and Rob Mac, Variety has learned.
In addition to co-creating the series, Mac (formerly McElhenney) will also star. The series will stream on Hulu in the U.S. and Disney+ internationally. While exact plot details are being kept under wraps, the series will follow an anthology format like the games and feature a different cast and setting each season.
“Getting to work alongside Noah Hawley is a dream realized,” said Mac. “Ubisoft has been remarkably generous, entrusting us with one of the most iconic video-game worlds ever created. And through it all, my FX family continues to lift me up with their constant belief and support.”
The series deepens both Mac and Hawley’s relationship with FX. Mac famously created and stars in the hit FX comedy series “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” which aired its 17th season earlier this year. It is the longest-running live-action sitcom in American history. He also stars in and executive produces the FX docuseries “Welcome to Wrexham,” which has aired four seasons and won 10 Emmy Awards so far.
Hawley, meanwhile, is the creator of fellow FX anthology series “Fargo,” as well as the recently renewed sci-fi series “Alien: Earth.” Five seasons of “Fargo” have aired to date, with the show collectively winning seven Emmy Awards out of 70 nominations, as well as three Golden Globes out of 14 nominations. Hawley also created the FX-Marvel series “Legion,” which aired for three seasons.
The series also brings Mac back into business with Ubisoft. He co-created and starred in the Apple TV series “Mythic Quest” for four seasons, with Ubisoft Film & Television also producing that show.
“What I love about the ‘Far Cry’ game franchise is it’s an anthology. Each game is a variation of a theme, the same way each season of ‘Fargo’ is a variation on a theme,” said Hawley. “To create a big action show that can change from year to year, while always exploring the nature of humanity through this complex and chaotic lens is a dream come true. I’m excited to partner with Rob and bring our shared irreverent, ambitious sensibility to the screen.”
Mac will executive produce under his More Better Productions banner, while Hawley will executive produce under his overall deal with FX and Disney Entertainment Television via 26 Keys. Emilia Serrano for 26 Keys will also executive produce along with Nick Frenkel for 3 Arts, Jackie Cohn for More Better Productions, John Campisi, and Gerard Guillemot, Margaret Boykin and Austin Dill for Ubisoft Film & Television. The series will be produced by FX Productions.
“FX has had magnificent partnerships with Rob Mac and Noah Hawley for a combined six series and 32 seasons of television, and we couldn’t be more excited that they are teaming up for ‘Far Cry,’” said Nick Grad, president of FX Entertainment. “I have no doubt that they will tell this story in a way that is original, gripping and wildly entertaining. We also want to thank our partners at Ubisoft for entrusting us with this beloved property.”
This will be the first live-action “Far Cry” adaptation for TV. The games were previously adapted into a 2008 direct-to-video film starring Til Schweiger and directed by Uwe Boll. Netflix, meanwhile, released the animated series “Captain Laserhawk: A Blood Dragon Remix” in 2023, which was inspired by “Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon.”
The first “Far Cry” game was released in 2004. Since then, five other games in the main series have been released along with numerous spinoffs. The most recent game, “Far Cry 6,” was released in 2021. More than 100 million unique players have enjoyed the games since their debut.
Mac is repped by WME, 3 Arts, Narrative, and Sloane Offer. Hawley is repped by WME, Untitled, and McKuin Frankel Whitehead. Ubisoft is repped by WME and Greenberg Glusker.