TheWarhammer 40,000episode of Prime Video’sSecret Levelwas amazing, and now I desperately need to see Henry Cavill’s movie adaptation of the franchise. It’s been a great year forWarhammer 40,000fans, and it just got better. After the release of the long-awaitedWarhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, fans of the franchise got another big budget adaptation throughSecret Level, Prime Video’s video game adaptation anthology. By theend ofSecret Levelepisode 5, I was fully convinced thatWarhammerneeds to be on the big screen as soon as possible.
Henry Cavill, who is known for playing Superman inMan of Steeland Geralt inThe Witcher, is an avidWarhammerfan. He’s such an outspoken enthusiast thatCavill is making aWarhammer 40,000movie, though the project has been in development limbo for a while. Luckily,Cavill confirmedWarhammerhas begun developmentrecently, and the film adaptation of the franchise is actually making progress. Now thatSecret Level’sWarhammeradaptation is out, however, I just can’t wait for Henry Cavill’s movie to hit theaters, and my patience is lower than it’s ever been.
Secret Level’s Warhammer 40,000 Episode Is Fantastic
Secret Level Perfectly Depicted The Brutal Efficiency Space Marines Are Known For
The main reason I need to see Henry Cavill’s take onWarhammer 40,000is becauseSecret Level’s was fantastic. Every single second of the 16-minute-long episode was firing on all cylinders.From the speed of the space marines to the blood-soaked action and the unique blend of sci-fi and fantasy,Secret Levelcompletely understoodWarhammer. Even the title of the episode, “And They Shall Know No Fear,” is an exquisite reference toWarhammerlore. I audibly said “hoo boy” several times while watching it because it was just that cool.
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Prime Video’s upcoming anthology series will adapt various video games, with Secret Level providing a unique take on these popular IPs.
Secret Level’sWarhammerepisode wasn’t just cool, though, it was also so thematically and visually rich. In just 16 minutes,Secret Levelcreated and almost fully developed Bladeguard Sergeant Metaurus, and in the process of explaining his backstory, added a tremendous amount to one of the most famous space marines in the franchise, Demetrian Titus. The depiction of the Daemon Sorcerer’s ability to kill people with their worst fears was also such an ingenious way of diving deeper into the space marines' psyches.Secret Levelprovided such a concise yet densely packed story, it was truly impressive.
Henry Cavill’s Warhammer Could Build On Secret Level’s Success
Cavill’s Warhammer Movie Could Learn From Secret Level’s Expert Depiction
Secret Levelwasn’t just great on its own, however, it could be great for Henry Cavill’s take onWarhammer 40,000as well.Warhammeris truly massive, and there are hundreds of ways Cavill’s movie could approach the sprawling franchise. One of the biggest problems the movie likely faced was figuring out how to start, andSecret Levelmay have helped tremendously with that.Secret Level’sWarhammerepisode could serve as a blueprint for Cavill’s movie with regard to themes, visuals, and action. It already showcased all the biggest things that make aWarhammeradaptation work, now Cavill’s movie just has to do it again.
What Makes Warhammer So Compelling
The Warhammer 40,000 Universe Is Vast & Filled With Great Stories Of Brotherhood & Warfare
There’s a lot to love aboutWarhammer 40,000. It basically redefined futuristic military strategy and massive space-opera warfare on a scale that has rarely been replicated.Warhammeralso filled its universe with such diverse and complex factions, from the chaotic and silly Orks to the adrenaline-pumping Space Wolves, that it feels completely alive. Adding to its varied military components is all the grimness of the far future, from the body horror of servitors to the nightmare fuel that is certain xeno species like the Slaugth.Warhammeris a bottomless pit of great lore and world-building, and it can get as dark as you want it to.
Warhammer is a bottomless pit of great lore and world-building, and it can get as dark as you want it to.
For all the darkness ofWarhammer 40,000, however, there are some surprisingly relatable themes inherent to the franchise. Space marines, for example, are all about brotherhood and companionship among soldiers. The Imperium is also dripping with messages about faith, and members often find their faith challenged. On top of all that, though it’s set in the far future,Warhammerhas an enormous amount of things to say about contemporary politics, from theocratic regimes to humanity’s role in a massive universe.Warhammer 40,000is quite literally so big that there’s something for everyone in its world.
I Need A Warhammer Movie More Than Ever
Secret Level Wasn’t Long Enough - I Need At Least Two Hours Of Warhammer On A Big Screen
There was only one big problem withSecret Level’s depiction ofWarhammer 40,000: it wasn’t long enough. It provided a great glimpse into the myriad of stories and epic battlesWarhammeris capable of containing, but it was only a glimpse.I feel confident that Henry Cavill’sWarhammermovie can take all the things that make the franchise so endearing and flesh them out with a longer runtime. I need to see an entire Imperium campaign play out, and I feel like a feature-length film is the only way to do such a massive assault justice.
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There’s also never been a better time for Cavill’sWarhammerto succeed. This year has had some of thebest video game adaptations ever.Shows likeFalloutandArcaneset a precedent that video game adaptations can stay faithful to the games they’re depicting, but they can also tread new ground in a thoughtful and engaging way. It almost feels like Hollywood has cracked the code to making successful video game adaptations, especially after years of failed attempts. It makes me very hopeful that Cavill can follow suit and use the lessonsFalloutandArcaneclearly learned to make a great movie.
With any luck, Secret Level may not just continue Warhammer 40,000’s popularity but actually enhance it.
One major advantage Henry Cavill has that should help hisWarhammermovie succeed is that he’s a dedicated fan of the franchise.Cavill clearly loves all the things that makeWarhammer 40,000so beloved, and his passion should translate well into film, as long as he can avoid the studio and writer interference he got on his last video game-based passion project,The Witcher. Hopefully, the positive reception ofSecret Level’s take onWarhammerwill make such interference less likely. With any luck,Secret Levelmay not just continueWarhammer 40,000’s popularity but actually enhance it.
Secret Level
Cast
Secret Level is an adult animated series exploring original short stories set within the worlds of popular video games. Each episode introduces new adventures, delving into iconic gaming classics and forthcoming titles to unlock captivating narratives and immersive experiences. Created by Tim Miller, the series celebrates gaming culture.
