Ubisoft has just announced that Driver will become a live-action TV show. Ubisoft Film & Television will produce the show alongside startup streaming platform Binge, a video-game-focused platform that will begin streaming sometime in 2022.
Ubisoft Film & Television’s Jason Altman, Danielle Kreinik, and Genevieve Jones will be executive producers on the project, while Binges Allan Ungar and Vincent Talenti will produce.
Driver got started back in 1999 on the original PlayStation, inspired by classic '60s and '70s car chase movies like Bullitt and The Driver and featuring open-world driving mechanics inspired by the GTA series, Driver put players in control of a detective John Tanner as he took on the local crime syndicate.
The first Driver took place in Miami, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and New York City, while Driver 2 brought Tanner to Chicago, Havana, Las Vegas, and Rio de Janeiro. There's no word from Ubisoft on where the live-action Driver will be set, who will star as Tanner, or when Driver will begin streaming.
“We’re always open to new vehicles for storytelling so we’re thrilled to partner with Binge, an exciting new platform that’s uniquely dedicated to creating premium entertainment for gaming fans,” said Danielle Kreinik, head of television development at Ubisoft Film & Television. “Our mission at Ubisoft is to bring our games to life in new and exciting ways and create content set in the world, culture and community of gaming. Working with Binge will allow us to bring a Driver series directly to the audience who is most passionate about seeing this franchise come to life.”
Binge was announced at this year's E3 as a new games-focused streaming platforming coming in 2022. Allan Ungar--the same guy who directed the Uncharted fan teaser starring Nathan Fillion as Nathan Drake--serves as Binge's "chief content officer." We interviewed Ungar during E3, and he said that Binge would remain faithful to any video games it adapts for television.
“Having the opportunity to adapt Driver alongside the team at Ubisoft Film & Television is a dream come true,” said Ungar. “As longtime fans of the franchise, we’re excited to deliver an original, premium, and rich storytelling experience that will take fans and newcomers on a thrilling ride.”