Follow us on Google News
Get the latest updates directly in your Google News feed
In a parallel universe,Overwatchfans might be watching an epic animated series on Netflix. Blizzard Entertainment once had grand plans to expand its franchises likeOverwatch,Diablo, andWarcraftinto shows.
They could’ve been adaptations that rival the success ofThe Witcherseries, featuring Henry Cavill. But according to a new report, these dreams were abruptly shattered due to legal disputes between Activision Blizzard and Netflix. Now fans can only wonder what could’ve been.
Blizzard Could’ve Given Us One of The Best Things Ever
According to Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier, Blizzard had plans to adaptOverwatch,Diablo, andWarcraftinto multiple series for Netflix, with rumors about a potentialDiabloanime circulating as early as 2020. However, these shows never saw the light of day.
Schreier revealed in a Reddit AMA that the primary reason for the cancellation stemmed from a lawsuit the studio filed against Netflix for “poaching” one of its top executives, Spencer Neumann. The legal scuffle halted any hope of the studio’s game-based series being developed by the streaming giant.
More Details For Recent Microsoft Layoffs Reveals Team Overwatch 2 And Diablo 4 Got Struck The Hardest
The lawsuit, filed in December 2020, accused Netflix of violating Californian employment law by hiring Neumann while he was still under contract with Activision Blizzard. This legal battle reportedly soured the relationship between the two companies, leading to the collapse of negotiations for theOverwatchseries.
What we could’ve had 💔
This revelation has been particularly disappointing for fans. A show would have followed in the footsteps ofother successful gaming adaptations, likeArcaneandThe Witcher. Fans have compared this to the latter, especially SinceHenry Cavill’s departure from the series was similarly disappointing.
WE LOST SO UNBELIEVABLY HARD
Both games have passionate fan bases and storylines ripe for television adaptation. When Netflix announcedThe Witcherwith Henry Cavill as Geralt, fans were thrilled to see a beloved video game and book series brought to life.
Video Game Adaptations Are a Hit or Miss, But There’s Been Some Good Ones Lately
The news of this cancellation also shows the studio’s wider struggles in expanding its intellectual properties (IPs) beyond video games. While the 2016Warcraftfilm was a box-office disappointment, the studio has largely refrained from pursuing ambitious multimedia projects.
Fumble of the decade
For a company with such beloved IPs, it seems odd that the studio has not capitalized more aggressively on other entertainment formats, like movies or television.
Fans are noting the company’s reluctance to take risks, with one Redditor saying that the studio is “riddled with bad luck and wasted opportunities.”
You’re One of Those Heroes, Aren’t You? Blizzard Co-founder Reportedly Left after Getting Tired of Fighting Activision Who Wanted to “Make as Much Money as Possible”
What frustrates fans the most isthe lost potential. The studio’s games are narrative-rich universes that could thrive in television format. TheDiabloseries, for instance, was reportedly set to be an anime-style adaptation, which would have offered a fresh take on the dark, gothic world of the game.
Meanwhile, theOverwatchseries could have expanded on the already rich backstory of its characters, offering more depth and engagement than the game’s cinematics allow. These adaptations would have introduced these worlds to new audiences, broadening the appeal of these franchises.
The missed opportunity with the potential series has only intensified the growing disconnect between the company and its fanbase. Many fans have already voiced their discontent with the company over other recent controversies, such as the troubled launch ofOverwatch 2and the mishandling ofWarcraft 3: Reforged.
Would you have wanted to see an Overwatch show? Let us know in the comments!
Daniel Royte
Gaming Writer
Articles Published :1370
As part of the FandomWire team, Daniel has followed the hero-shooter genre closely with a focus on titles like VALORANT, Apex Legends, and Marvel Rivals. You can also find him providing insight on the latest AAA titles from Elden Ring to GTA 6 and exploring the world of gacha games like Genshin Impact and Wuthering Waves. With more than 1,000 articles under his belt, you’ll need to look no further for a unique insight into every situation.If he’s not looking for the latest video game news, you’ll find him cheering on Ferrari in the race tracks of Formula 1 or at the theatres for the latest MCU releases.
