Vampire: The Masquerade universe getting turned into TV shows, movies

The “World of Darkness” began with the Vampire: The Masquerade table-top role-playing game in 1991. Soon there were other titles like Werewolf: The Apocalypse, Mage: The Ascension, Orpheus and Hunter: The Reckoning. There have been World of Darkness video games, novels, and more, with the common thread being that they put monsters and outsiders at the center of the stories.

And now, the World of Darkness is getting the cinematic universe treatment courtesy of Oscar-nominated Arrival screenwriter Eric Heisserer, according to The Hollywood Reporter. He’ll be working with writer Christine Boylan, who’s worked on whos like The Punisher and Castle. The whole thing will be produced by Hivemind, which is behind shows like The Witcher and The Expanse.

We don’t know exactly what form the World of Darkness cinematic universe will take, but films and TV shows are a good place to start. “The World of Darkness story universe is deliberately and unapologetically inclusive and diverse,” Boylan said in a statement. “It has always made a point of including equal gendered characters, protagonists and antagonists of every race, and representation of all creeds — bringing a female and diverse audience to gaming like nothing prior. Its games and fandom are a place where women, POC, and the LGBTQI community feel welcome and we are very proud to bring these stories to life.”

Heisserer, who’s also the creator and showrunner behind Netflix’s Shadow and Bone series, was also psyched: “The legacy of these stories is way ahead of its time, inviting issues and perspectives other games ignored. This feels like the next step for genre.”

Finally, Hivemind president and cofounder Jason Brown sold people on Boylan and Heisserer’s Word of Darkness bonafides: “Eric and Christine are among the most extraordinary creators working today, and they’re also gamers who have played in WOD since it began. It’s a rare opportunity when the connection between storyteller and story runs this deep, and that is the alchemy which has led to many of our favorite and most culturally resonant franchises.”

The World of Darkenss Cinematic Universe may be getting ahead of itself

I’m sure these guys are genuinely invested in this world, but the cynical part of me can’t help but look askance at the attempt to create a cinematic universe where they was none before. They’re not trying to make one TV show or one movie and see how it does, they’re jumping right to empire, which reads like less of a passion project and more like an attempt to cash in on the success of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and its imitators.

We don’t know where the World of Darkness Cinematic Universe (WDCU?) will end up. I imagine Hivemind is shopping it around.

To stay up to date on everything fantasy, science fiction, and WiC, follow our all-encompassing Facebook page and sign up for our exclusive newsletter.

Get HBO, Starz, Showtime and MORE for FREE with a no-risk, 7-day free trial of Amazon Channels