Magic: The Gathering: Update on the Live-Action Adaptation

There is new information about the upcoming live-action film adaptation of the popular trading card game "Magic: The Gathering": According to the industry magazine Deadline, the film studio Legendary and Hasbro have found a writing duo for their first film.

They are Noah Gardner and Aidan Fitzgerald. The two are still relatively unknown names in Hollywood. As writers, they were supposed to realize the "Aquaman" spin-off "The Trench". However, this has since been canceled.

In February 2025, Legendary and Hasbro announced that they wanted to develop not just a movie or a series, but an entire movie and series universe based on "Magic". They want to proceed in a similar way to the adaptation of "Dune". The plan is to start with a movie, followed by a series and further content.

In addition to the writers for the first film, those responsible behind the scenes also already have a director in mind. According to Deadline, Matt Johnson is to direct the project, but the deal is not closed. So far, Johnson has mainly worked on smaller productions. It therefore seems that the "Magic" film adaptation will be created by fresh personnel. Due to the early stage of production, it is not yet clear when we can expect the first film.

Magic: The Gathering on Netflix

At the same time, Netflix is also planning an animated series for "Magic: The Gathering". According to The Hollywood Reporter, the Russo brothers, known for their MCU films, were originally intended to be responsible for the series. However, creative differences apparently arose behind the scenes.

In September 2024, Netflix announced that Terry Matalas would be taking on the role of showrunner – a position he had already held on "Star Trek: Picard" and the series adaptation of "12 Monkeys". Matalas commented as follows:

"Those new to this sprawling saga will learn what millions of fans who play every day already know. Magic is the ultimate storytelling sandbox, brimming with iconic, complex characters, extraordinary mind-bending powers, and portals to every genre imaginable."

However, the project has been rather quiet of late. So it will be interesting to see whether we can actually expect several films and series from the world of "Magic" in the future – and whether each of the announced projects will actually see the light of day.

Magic: The Gathering: the most famous trading card game in the world

"Magic: The Gathering" is a trading card game that was developed by mathematician Richard Garfield for Wizards of the Coast in 1993. It was the first game of its kind and has since not only delighted millions of players worldwide, but also established an entire genre. "Magic" combines elements of classic trading card games with tactical depth, storytelling and constant innovation.

The basic idea of the game

In "Magic: The Gathering", players take on the role of planeswalkers – powerful wizards who travel through different worlds and fight against each other. The aim is to reduce the opponent to zero life points. The game is played with an individually compiled deck of cards consisting of at least 60 cards. These cards can be roughly divided into five colors: White, Blue, Black, Red and Green. Each color has its own strengths and weaknesses and clever combinations can create strategically strong decks.

A game with history and depth

"Magic" is played both in private rounds and at professional tournaments. What makes "Magic: The Gathering" special is not just the game principle, but also the world behind it. Each edition brings new cards, game mechanics and stories. The lore is deep and complex – some players even focus exclusively on the narrative behind the cards.

Collector's value and culture

Another aspect is the collector's value: older or rare cards can fetch high prices at auctions. "Magic" has also developed its own community culture over the years, with fan art, podcasts, YouTube channels and cosplay at events.

"Magic: The Gathering" is therefore more than just a card game – it is a complex hobby, a cultural phenomenon and, for many, a lifelong passion. The combination of strategic depth, artistic design and narrative diversity makes "Magic" a unique gaming experience that is constantly evolving and captivating generations of players.