Apex Legends TV Show: Netflix, Rumours, And Leaks
An Apex Legends TV show has been on the minds of many Apex fans for a while. Apex Legends has flexed its storytelling muscles from time to time, with an ever expanding lore, and gradually filling the backstories of each of its titular legends. However, is there an Apex Legends TV series in the works? And if so what form could it take? Here's everything we know about a potential Apex Legends TV show including rumours, leaks, and what we'd love to see.
- Need a recap on the best characters to play in the game? Check out our Apex Legends tier list, which ranks all 19 legends.
Apex Legends TV Show: Is A Show Coming To Netflix?
Click to enlargeAt this point in time, there has been no official mention of an Apex Legends TV show, but that doesn't stop rumours and potential leaks from circulating the web. The show has been requested profusely from fans across the globe after all, so someone somewhere has to know there is interest in it.
That someone is more of a something. Netflix has long been rumoured to be keen to host, produce and distribute an Apex Legends TV show. Netflix has been known to place some amount of faith in video game adaptation, with The Witcher launching its second season in December, and the critically acclaimed League of Legends TV show, Arcane launching the month before that.
During a Reddit AMA in May 2021, Director of Communications Ryan Rigley was asked about a potential Netflix show, to which he responded with a zipped mouth emoji. Not exactly a confirmation, but a lack of denials hints that an announcement could be coming in the future.
Apex Legends TV Show: The Developers Are Open To A Show
Click to enlargeSpeaking with GamesRadar+ back in August 2020, Game Director Chad Grenier proved to be open and even eager to start an Apex Legends TV show which could expand the lore. In it he said
"Yeah, I would love to do that. That sounds awesome. A Netflix animated series of Apex? Sign me up! I think right now we are focused on making the game but heck, if someone wants to pitch me something I'll listen."
Grenier's statement suggests that as of August 2020 there wasn't a show in the works, but hopefully that led to pitches and talks commencing, linking to Rigley's comments nine months later.
Apex Legends TV Show: What We'd Love To See
Click to enlargeAn Animated Style
An Apex Legends TV show would have to feature an animated style. Not only would the budget for a live-action take on an expansive battle royale cost a fortune, but the series of Stories From The Outlands shorts, which typically feature individual characters, all feature colourful, varied and unique animated styles. The aforementioned show, Arcane is the perfect point of reference as a show that blended unique motion capture, and a hyper stylised and colourful art direction.
The Original Cast Must Return
While Henry Cavill taking the reins from Doug Cockle makes sense in a live-action Witcher series, sticking with an animated style in Apex Legends would mean that all of the original voice actors could and should return to voice the 19 (and counting) legends. There is an avid fan base who have grown to love those that have been voicing their favourite legends across the last two years, and bringing in new incarnations just wouldn't be right.
Click to enlargeExpand The Lore But Keep It Contained
The Stories From The Outlands series of shorts are well-regarded for constantly expanding the Apex Legends and Titanfall universe. The most recent, Gridiron, featured Bangalore and the origin of her heirloom knives, but also included reference to the IMC Titanfall - a military faction from the games - and we even get a glimpse at a Titan. These shorts work so well because they manage to hint at the larger universe without bogging players down with a ridiculous amount of lore and exposition. This would really be the key balance that an Apex Legends TV show would need to strike.
It Doesn't Need To Include Every Character
To reference Arcane once more, it worked because while it had an expansive cast, it kept things focused on an integral few. With 19 legends so far, and a 20th due around February 2022, an Apex Legends TV show would need to make the tough call of cutting characters. While cameos from certain characters may be fine, there is no way a single series could cover each legend to a satisfying degree. In that case, it would be best to focus on a select few, and potentially explore other characters in future seasons. However, the Apex cast have steadily become narratively entwined, so we are sure Respawn would figure out some great way to work in as many as possible. We'd love to see a show just between the rivalry of Ash and Horizon.
That's everything we know so far about the Apex Legends TV show, along with everything we'd like to see in it. Keen to get stuck into some other video game TV adaptations? Check out our guides on everything we know about the Halo TV series and The Last Of Us TV show.