When it comes to adapting a beloved video games for the screen, fans usually brace themselves for the worst.
But it sounds like Ubisoft is taking a surprisingly chill approach with Splinter Cell: Deathwatch, the upcoming Netflix series from Derek Kolstad, the creator behind John Wick and a writer on The Falcon and The Winter Soldier.
Kolstad recently opened up about the creative “guardrails” Ubisoft set for the show, and they might just give fans a reason to breathe easy.
Talking with GamesRadar+, Kolstad revealed that Ubisoft gave him a level of creative freedom that’s rare when working with a major studio or existing IP.
“Whenever you deal with any IP, there’s going to be guardrails in place,” Kolstad said of his collaboration with Ubisoft. “I did Falcon and The Winter Soldier and that’s Disney. You’re in a titanium tunnel – it’s [still] a joy because you get to play in a sandbox filled with sand and play with their toys.”
Kolstad’s experience at Marvel was enjoyable, but it came with heavy restrictions. In contrast, his role as creator and showrunner on Splinter Cell: Deathwatch has been a completely different game.
The show takes place years after the events of the video games, following an older Sam Fisher who’s pulled out of retirement for one more mission.
“Ubisoft, when they came to me and as soon as I wanted to do [Old Sam Fisher] they were like, ‘Great, and go.’… What I love about it is that the only guardrails were love the character, respect the IP. They just let me run.”
That kind of freedom is almost unheard of when adapting a globally recognized franchise, and it’s exactly what makes this project so exciting. Ubisoft’s trust in Kolstad’s storytelling instincts could mean we’re getting a series that honors the stealth-action legacy of Splinter Cell while giving Fisher’s story real emotional depth.
With Liev Schreiber stepping into the role of Sam Fisher, Splinter Cell: Deathwatch looks like it’ll be one of the most promising video game adaptations. The idea of an “old Sam Fisher” returning to the shadows under Kolstad’s direction has serious potential, especially with Ubisoft’s simple but powerful creative mantra: love the character, respect the IP.
Fans won’t have to wait long to see how it all plays out as Splinter Cell: Deathwatch sneaks onto Netflix on October 14.
