As the streamer gears up for the premiere of a different game adaptation, Netflix’s Splinter Cell anime has gotten a surprising cast update. Based on Ubisoft’s stealth action franchise, which was endorsed by military novelist Tom Clancy, various attempts to adapt the games for the screen have languished for the better part of 20 years, with Tom Hardy having been attached to star in a live-action movie that has seemingly died in development hell. The Splinter Cell anime was first announced in mid-2020, with John Wick creator Derek Kolstad attached to showrun and executive produce the series.
During a recent interview with The Nerd Shepherd for his upcoming movie 1242: Gateway to the West, Michael Ironside was asked about the upcoming Splinter Cell anime. In addition to confirming he wouldn’t be reprising his role of Sam Fisher from the games, Ironside seemingly announced that Ray Donovan‘s Liev Schreiber has been cast to play the iconic protagonist, and also indicated that the show is “done and in the can“. See what Ironside said below:
Netflix owns Sam Fisher. They’ve already shot the miniseries, an extended series with Liev Schreiber playing Sam. And I think it’s done and in the can. They also have an anime series with Sam that they’re going to push first. COVID and the SAG strike delayed everything a bit, but no, I’m sure I’ll be 75 in the spring. There’s no way I should be playing Sam Fisher. I can’t be a part of the series because if I open my mouth, they’ll know it’s Sam.
When Will The Splinter Cell Anime Release?
While some may interpret Ironside’s note of the anime coming before the miniseries as there being two Splinter Cell shows in development at Netflix, it seems more likely that the streamer is viewing the anime as a limited series. When it was first announced, the adaptation was said to be a two-season production comprised of 16 episodes. Netflix did a similar thing with the upcoming Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft anime, which also spent years in production before finally landing an October 2024 release date.
With Ironside seemingly confirming that production is largely complete on the Splinter Cell anime, the question now becomes when the show will actually premiere on Netflix. Some members close to the production previously commented on social media that the show was announced fairly prematurely, with one staffer assuring in May 2024 that they were “hard at work on it“. However, with four years gone since it was announced, it does seem likely its premiere will be sooner than later, even if all 16 episodes were being made beforehand.
At one point, the most likely candidate for the Splinter Cell anime’s release would have been in concurrence with the previously announced remake of the original game. However, with it having since stalled amid staff changes at Ubisoft, it seems more likely Netflix will forge ahead with the show on their own schedule, and a late 2025 premiere seems the most likely. This would not only give the streamer time to properly announce Schreiber and other cast members, but also begin promoting it and allow their other major game adaptations, including Castlevania: Nocturne season 2 and Arcane season 2, to release.
Source: The Nerd Shepherd