New Regency Pictures is set to bring Ubisoft’s popular Watch Dogs to the big screen in a film adaptation. Deadline reports that Sophie Wilde is among the lead contenders for a central role, signaling strong star power behind the project. The director attached to the project is Mathieu Toury, known for helming other high-profile thrillers and action projects, while Netflix has commissioned the screenplay from Christy LeBlanc, the writer behind the sci-fi thriller Oxygen. Wilde, who is in discussions for a major part, has recently been seen in the horror feature Two, Three, Demon Come and the Netflix miniseries Boy Eats the Universe, illustrating a growing range of dramatic and genre work.
The film’s storyline remains under wraps, but it is confirmed to be based in the Watch Dogs universe. The collaboration aims to translate the game’s trademark hacking mechanics and open-world flair to a cinematic format, promising a contemporary tech-thriller experience with a distinctly urban setting. Industry insiders emphasize a narrative that leverages the game’s core themes of digital manipulation, surveillance challenges, and the tension between individual freedoms and systemic control. The adaptation is positioned as a new entry in the growing slate of video game-inspired cinema designed to appeal to a broad audience across North America.
Watch Dogs originated as an open-world action-adventure series in which players employ hacking skills to influence a wide range of city systems. The franchise debuted in 2014, introducing a Chicago vigilante named Aiden Pearce whose campaign against corruption resonated with players around the world. Subsequent installments expanded the setting to San Francisco in Watch Dogs 2 and to London in Watch Dogs: Legion, each iteration building on the core mechanic of using digital access to shape the environment and the story. Together, the franchise has attracted millions of players, contributing to Ubisoft’s reputation for creating immersive, tech-forward worlds.
Meanwhile, the wider landscape of video game adaptations continues to draw attention as studios explore how to translate interactive experiences into cinematic narratives. The Watch Dogs project joins a growing roster of titles that seek to merge high-stakes action with contemporary tech themes, aiming to deliver a film that satisfies longtime fans while appealing to new audiences curious about the possibilities of a connected, digitized cityscape.
The broader context includes ongoing momentum in the industry around adaptations that blend dramatic character arcs with fast-paced, gadget-driven sequences. Observers note that a successful Watch Dogs film would need to balance fidelity to the game’s mood and atmosphere with the storytelling demands of a feature, ensuring that the world remains vivid and immersive without relying solely on familiar set pieces. The creative team has expressed a clear intent to produce a movie that stands on its own while honoring the franchise’s distinctive vibe.
As development proceeds, fans and analysts will be watching how the script channels the series’ themes of privacy, public spaces, and the consequences of ubiquitous connectivity. A thoughtful approach to pacing, action, and character development will be essential for converting a beloved interactive world into a compelling on-screen experience. The project’s success will likely hinge on a collaboration that respects the source material while embracing cinematic techniques that amplify tension, atmosphere, and the immediacy of a world governed by digital systems.