By Streaming titan Netflix is teaming up with the world famous Russo Brothers (of MCU fame) to adapt Magic: The Gathering into a TV series. Announced earlier today, Netflix and Wizards of the Coast (creator of the popular card game) have reached an agreement to produce a series based around the fantasy IP. The Russo Brothers will “oversee the creation of an all-new storyline and expand on the stories of the Planeswalkers,” reads a description from Netflix.
In a joint statement, both of the Russo Brothers said, “We have been huge fans and players of Magic: The Gathering for as long as it has been around, so being able to help bring these stories to life through animation is a true passion project for us.” The two are set to be executive producers on the series alongside writers Henry Gilroy (Star Wars Rebels) and Jose Molina (The Tick), who will serve as showrunners. Bardel Entertainment (Rick and Morty, Teen Titans Go!) will provide animations and Octopie Network (Neo Fighter Dream Crisis) will be handling production.
Octopie CEO Isaac Krauss, who will also be an executive producer for the series, stated, “Working with Joe and Anthony, Wizards of the Coast, and Netflix on such a universally cherished brand is a real highlight for our studio. Our goal is to not only tell a compelling story leveraging Magic: The Gathering’s incredible body of work but to also push the medium and perception of storytelling through animation. This series will cross the genres of suspenseful thriller, horror, and drama with deeply developed characters the likes of which are not often seen in animation.”
The sentiment was backed up by Chris Cocks, president of Wizards of the Coast. In a press release about the series, he stated, “More fans are enjoying Magic now than at any time in its 25-year history thanks to the enduring popularity of the tabletop game and our latest release, War of the Spark. We’re thrilled to collaborate with Joe and Anthony Russo to bring Magic: The Gathering’s rich and diverse cast of characters and worlds to Netflix in a way that will delight our many fans and those new to the franchise.”
No release window was given for the series, but it seems likely that this will be fast-tracked after the immense success the Russo Brothers have seen with Marvel. With some of the most profitable movies of all time under their belts, any production company would be jumping at the chance to have their names attached to the duo. I wouldn’t expect this to land in 2019, but I have a feeling 2020 is almost a definite.
The directors of Avengers: Endgame are adapting Magic: The Gathering for Netflix [Polygon]
