The Gears of War movie finally has a finished script. Director David Leitch said this week the Netflix adaptation’s screenplay is done, more than a year after he signed on to direct, and that everyone involved is excited about turning it into what he called “a film universe.”
Leitch’s comments were reported by ScreenRant and confirmed in a SuperHeroHype report published November 2 — the clearest update yet on a project that’s been quietly moving forward since 2023.
What David Leitch Said About the Gears of War Movie
I think everybody's excited about the potential of this as a film universe, and so we couldn't be more excited about that. Hopefully, it'll be coming to fruition soon. That's probably all I can tell you. And I wish I could tell you more because there's so much cool stuff going on.
David Leitch, director
Leitch also referenced Gears of War: E-Day, the prequel game that launched October 6, saying, “Obviously, E-Day is about to be released,” a line that places his comments around the game’s launch window even though the script-complete update is only being reported now.
Leitch has a track record with big ensemble action movies: 2022’s Bullet Train grossed $239.3 million worldwide, and he directed 2024’s The Fall Guy before signing on to Gears of War, giving Netflix a filmmaker with recent experience opening stunt-heavy tentpoles.
The Movie’s Long Road to the Screen
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 2023 | Jon Spaihts (Dune, Prometheus) hired to write the screenplay |
| May 2025 | David Leitch (Bullet Train, the John Wick series) signs on to direct, per Deadline |
| June 2026 | First plot details surface: a Delta Squad origin story |
| October 6, 2026 | Gears of War: E-Day launches on Xbox, PC and Game Pass |
| November 2026 | Leitch confirms the screenplay is complete |
No release date and no cast have been announced. Netflix has not set the film for a production start, and Leitch’s remarks stopped short of confirming one is imminent.
How It Connects to Gears of War: E-Day
E-Day is a prequel set on the day the Locust first surfaced, following a young Marcus Fenix and Delta Squad’s formation. It launched October 6, 2026, to an 88 score on Metacritic, the franchise’s best-reviewed entry since Gears of War 3 in 2011. Critics praised its darker tone and combat while flagging pacing issues in its more open levels. Plot details Leitch’s team shared in June describe the movie covering similar origin-story ground: Delta Squad’s formation and the bonds between its soldiers, with Marcus Fenix’s exact role still unconfirmed.
That overlap is deliberate. Leitch’s “film universe” comment suggests Netflix wants the movie to function as an entry point alongside the games rather than a one-off adaptation, built on the same origin-story hook Xbox used to market E-Day itself.
For more on the game this movie is drawing from, see our Xbox Game Pass November 2026 lineup and our coverage of the biggest game launches this fall.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a release date for the Gears of War movie?
No. As of November 2026, Netflix has not announced a release date or a production start date for the film.
Who is directing the Gears of War movie?
David Leitch, known for Bullet Train and the John Wick series, is directing. He signed on in May 2025.
Who wrote the Gears of War movie script?
Jon Spaihts, the screenwriter behind Dune and Prometheus, wrote the screenplay. He joined the project in 2023.
Is the Gears of War movie connected to Gears of War: E-Day?
They’re set in the same origin-story era and share a Delta Squad focus, but the movie is a separate adaptation project, not a direct film version of the game.
Has anyone been cast in the Gears of War movie?
No casting has been announced as of November 2026.
