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Animated Warhammer 40,000 Ultramarines Movie Being Made

by Alex Billington
October 2, 2009
Source: Codex Pictures

I'm breaking my own rules today to report this news because I'm a huge fan of the Warhammer 40,000 universe and have been for a very long time. Games Workshop has officially announced that they will be making a feature-length animated CGI movie based on the Warhammer 40,000 universe that will be titled Ultramarines. The 70-minute sci-fi thriller will use CGI and state-of-the-art animation production techniques and unfortunately be released straight-to-DVD and not in theaters. However, this is the first step in the right direction in hopes of one day (maybe?) seeing a live-action Warhammer 40,000 movie made.

Ultramarines is being developed by Codex Pictures. Erik Mogensen of Games Workshop commented:

"Over the years, we have been approached again and again by all sorts of producers and film companies wanting to take our intellectual property to the screen. We have always believed that, in the right hands, the stories, themes and characters from the Warhammer 40,000 universe would lend themselves perfectly to the movie genre. We're working closely with the talented team at Codex Pictures, who have an excellent understanding of the Warhammer 40,000 intellectual property and an inspired vision for the movie. We can't wait to see our universe come to life on-screen."

For those who aren't familiar with Warhammer 40,000, here are some of the basics. The universe is part of a tabletop miniature wargame produced by Games Workshop, set in a science fantasy universe. Warhammer 40,000's gothic space fantasy setting spans a vast fictional universe. Its various factions and races include the Imperium of Man (the human race), the Orks, and the Eldar. Since first appearing in 1987, an extensive mythology was created for all of the races. The Ultramarines are an elite force of Space Marines identifiable by their futuristic protective armor (and are also coincidentally my favorite faction). I can't wait for this!

Check out the production blog for Ultramarines for updates and more: ultramarinesthemovie.com.

Filed under Hype, Movie News, Opinions

From around the web:

http://comingsoon.net RZA Fan

See sometimes games can be made into movies, however whether this turns into something good or great IDK. But a game like this should be fairly simple(r) than making an FPS. Although, based off of the trailer most everybody liked ODST can definitely be a movie.
Russell

There is SO much source material for this, they could make movie after movie. If done right, this could be the new mind-blowing sci-fi/fantasy epic of the decade.
James

http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/Warhammer40000 This is THE best description of 40K.
S

So...it's Dungeons & Dragons in space?
M-Cat

Now this looks decent. I love animated movies of this kind.
http://MYSPACE.COM/ESOPHUS esophus

TAKE THAT STARCRAFT YOU POSERS!!!!
David Banner

Great news! Hope the can make a Warhammer flick aswell, in the near future. Anyone know of this 20min liveaction Warhammer 40K shortfilm aired at Golden Demon som years back(a decade...?), would love to see this
Ultim8

I have been a fan of the 40'000 universe for a LOOONG time...(too long, perhaps). Tried playing it, didn't like it. Read the stories and played PC games like Dawn of war. Loved Them. For years I have been advocating, to anyone who would listen, a movie set in this universe, possibly with CG work like that used on the Final Fantasy movies. However, seeing how Technology has evolved in the last few years, this film could and SHOULD look AMAZING. Look at the CG on the LOTR's, King Kong or even soon in AVATAR! I WILL be following this with great interest. In Nomine Imperator, as the Marines would say.
Fatal Error

Braingasm!!! I was just talking to my coworkers the other day about the dearth of original ideas in Hollywood and we got on the subject of science fiction. Of course I ear-raped them for 10 minutes with glorious tales of epic battles fought by demigods in the future. For the Emperor!!!
Tra la la la la di da

Wow...classic. Starcraft as a computer game. Warhammer is something else entirely though this will be awesome.
Gavin

YES! lol I had to get that out, but man I've been waiting for this for a while.
http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/2408/blackbabyjesus.gif Crapola

I always like the figures, but couldn't get my head round the gameplay, could be totally mince, but as the dudes who invented seem to think the film makers are good, bring it oaaaaaan.
Zman

Nice! I hope it's done well and becomes a hit. I'd love to see multiple characters from this universe brought to the big screen. Most of all I'd love to see a film based on Eisenhorn books. Warhammer 40,000 could be truly epic if done right.
Wylles

Great, Amazing, Hopeful News. At last an adaptation is coming from a Video Game with Story, Background Setting, Universe, etc, with a lot of Material that, if treated fairly, can be made into a GREAT Movie, and who Knows? even a Great Movie Franchise... This really is a great opportunity to end this damn trend of terrible Games to FIlm Adaptations, and bring a truly awesome Property to the Big Screen, Man, this has the Potential for 2 Lord Of the Rings-like Trilogies!!!
Lazarus from Sparta!!!!

" The God Emperor of Man would be pleased in a tale fortelling his Ultramarines deeds in the gritty conquest and defence of the empire of man...Emperor prevails...Imperious Rex!! "
Fisherr

Oh boy i cant wait for this movie.
http://www.dooms-day-device.com Puke

Sweet! After the Bloodquest CGI movie disappeared I've been hoping like hell to see an animated or live-action Warhammer film. I don't care if it's direct to DVD b/c hopefully it will be good enough to get sequels.
Dc13w1llsav3

Omg i cant wait to see this!
http://firstshowing.net paintbrush*poet

Well its great its making a step towards the theaters but when it makes it there with stars playing leading rolls then the name will finally get reconized the way its fought to be mainstream,providing lionsgate or someother well established names.
Nien

Games into movies... Scrap that. Board Games into movies..?? Seriously?? Source material aside, the only game to movie i have seen that made an impression is silent hill. I dont want to see this, i dont want to see a WoW movie, i dont want to see a gears of war movie; Hollywood needs to stop the plagerism and start a pro active search for stories in a new clint eastwood free world.
David

an animation? Bah when will they make a real life epic like Lord of the Rings. If Warhammer made an epic like that it'd shit on everything ever put on film.
Mark

I couldnt be happier its about time someone did a 40k movie,it should be space wolves but who cares as long as its done, and pfft the silent hill movie ? you got to be kidding what a pile of crap that was.
Ryan

This could be so mind-destroyingly awesome if they don't pull punches. For any of those who have read pretty much any of the hundreds of novels written, you already know, 40k is bloody! I will have to boycott if it has a PG rating.... Here's to hoping!
Ally Bally

Can't wait, big Gaunt fan myself, having read Abnetts books im sure this would make a good film its a starter and im sure with the talents of Dan and Graham McNeill there will be more to come after I cant see why it wouldnt be a hit, and with the diversity of stories and areas within wh40k theres plenty material for future films As for Games into films theres been a few.... Resident evil, Max Payne, Hitman, Tomb raider and Streetfighter if not only to check out Kylie.
Hellstrom

Very exciting news indeed, although I personally can not stand the Ultramarines. That should in no way diminish the awesomeness of the movie.
Ian McAuley

would love to see a manga series based on 40k
Eliphas

SIIIIIIIIIINDRRRRRRRIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!!!!!