It has been touted for several years, but finally it seems that the ball is rolling on the Assassins Creed film. Due for release at Christmas 2016, it will star big names Michael Fassbender and Marion Cotillard. Can it break the curse of the “video games adapted for film are generally shit” (with one or two exceptions?)

Having fine actors like Cotillard and Fassbender is no guarantee that the script will be well written and a good adaptation, and their presence will certainly add some gravitas, but I do have genuine hope for this. There’s something quite pure about the original game despite its flaws and I think the story not being bogged down in the conspiracies and (arguably) sometimes convoluted intertwining of the overall narrative that hit the series later will work in its favour – aside from everything else, the overly complex plotting of the series may turn a movie audience off.

We know that Fassbender will play both Desmond Miles and Altair – slightly disappointing perhaps, but I understand why it was necessary. He does have the right demeanour to be playing the icy protagonist though should there be sequels, I will not be happy to see him also play Ezio Auditore, or even Connor and Edward Kenway for that matter.

Cotillard is yet to have a title or a name. I suspect she will play Altair’s love interest with whom Altair reformed the Assassins Brotherhood, but in the games we didn’t learn about her until ACII.

Much more will be revealed as it is not scheduled for release until Christmas 2016.