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The studio behind the medieval RPG phenomenon has announced a strategic creative shift: Daniel Vávra, the director known for the Kingdom come series, will step back from everyday game development to take charge of a film adaptation of the franchise. Warhorse Studios framed the change as a natural evolution for a creator who has already delivered multiple global hits and who now wants to explore storytelling in a different medium. The announcement, published on 24/02/, underlines that this is not a severance but a redefinition of Vávra’s relationship with the company.
Warhorse’s leadership emphasized that this move aims to expand the brand beyond interactive entertainment. A draft screenplay for the Kingdom Come film has reportedly been completed, and talks with production partners are active. While Vávra will no longer be a daily presence in the studio, he will remain involved with Warhorse in a broader capacity, shaping the franchise’s cross-media future.
Why the shift matters for the franchise
From a business and cultural perspective, appointing the original games’ director to lead the cinematic project signals Warhorse’s intent to protect the voice and tone of the IP. The studio’s CEO described Vávra’s new position as akin to a transmedia director, a role focused on ensuring narrative continuity and authenticity across different platforms. Such continuity is especially important for a brand that has grown substantially through two major releases and numerous accolades.
The decision also reflects confidence in the property’s marketability beyond the console and PC audience. The most recent entries in the series achieved significant commercial success and critical recognition, which strengthens the case for adapting the material for film. By placing a key creative figure at the helm of the adaptation, Warhorse is aiming to deliver a cinematic product that resonates with both existing fans and newcomers.
What Warhorse has revealed so far
According to statements relayed to Czech media, the studio has confirmed several concrete points: a draft of the script already exists, negotiations with production companies are underway, and Vávra will move into an oversight and creative lead role for the film. The studio head explained that Vávra initiated the move himself, driven by a long-standing desire to work in film after his accomplishments within the studio.
Warhorse clarified that this change should not be read as a departure from the company’s long-term plans for the games. Instead, the film is presented as a complementary expansion—a way to broaden the franchise’s narrative reach. The company believes a faithful adaptation overseen by the original creative team will both enhance the IP and act as a successful standalone work.
How the role differs from game direction
Leading a film project entails different rhythms and stakeholder dynamics compared with directing games. A film director typically works within the constraints of a production schedule and collaborative film financing, while a game director may be more embedded in iterative design cycles and long-term studio production pipelines. Warhorse’s description of Vávra’s new title emphasizes cross-platform stewardship: he will guide the movie’s creative direction while the studio’s internal teams continue to develop game projects.
Backstory: the franchise’s recent performance
The Kingdom Come franchise has seen notable commercial growth in recent years. The original title sold millions of copies, establishing the IP and enabling the studio to expand its staff and ambitions. The follow-up, Kingdom Come: Deliverance II, also performed strongly, earning praise from industry awards and selling several million copies, which reinforced the series’ standing and provided the financial and cultural momentum for transmedia expansion.
These sales and critical endorsements have positioned Warhorse to pursue an adaptation with a built-in audience and a clear narrative foundation. By keeping Vávra close to the project, the studio hopes to preserve the gritty historical tone and complex storytelling that characterized the games while adapting them to the constraints and opportunities of cinema.
Potential challenges and expectations
Adapting a sprawling RPG into a feature film brings obvious challenges: condensing a large narrative into a two-hour runtime, satisfying fans who expect fidelity, and engaging general audiences unfamiliar with the source material. With the original director directing the adaptation’s creative course, Warhorse is betting that authenticity will be a key advantage. Production negotiations and the eventual choice of partners will heavily influence how these challenges are addressed.
For now, the project remains in its early stages. Fans and observers should expect updates as production partners are confirmed and as the film’s creative team grows. Warhorse’s public messaging frames the movie as a milestone for the franchise—an experiment in translating a deeply interactive world into a focused cinematic story while keeping the original creative spirit intact.