Paramount bags Battlefield TV series rights from EA

Paramount TV and Anonymous Content have bought the rights to make a television series based on Electronic Arts‘ Battlefield video game series.

Michael Sugar, the producer of Academy Award Best Picture winner Spotlight, and Ashley Zalta from Anonymous Content will serve as executive producers. Battlefield is a natural for TV since it has amassed more than 60 million players worldwide since the first Battlefield game debut in 2002, and EA has plans to launch another installment, Battlefield 1 (set in World War I), this fall.

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Battlefield’s previous settings include World War II and more modern battlefields in Asia.

“Paramount TV actively seeks smart content from all sectors that will resonate with audiences and translate to compelling programming,” said Amy Powell, president of Paramount TV, in a statement. “EA’s Battlefield has an incredibly dynamic narrative, coupled with a loyal fan base, which will allow us to bring this exciting and unique property to the small screen. We look forward to working with EA and Anonymous Content and thank Michael Sugar for his tenacity in bringing us this exciting project.”

The partners will have “first-look” rights for scripted television programming across broadcast, premium cable, cable and online audiences.

 “Battlefield has a tremendous built-in, engaged fan base, making it a highly coveted piece of IP primed for long-form adaptation,” said Michael Sugar, partner at Anonymous Content, in a statement. “Together with EA and Paramount TV, we’ll develop the Battlefield TV series with the same commitment to robust storytelling that has made the game such a runaway success for nearly fifteen years.”

Previously announced projects from Paramount TV and Anonymous Content include Thirteen Reasons Why, a Netflix show based on bestselling book by Jay Asher and executive produced by Selena Gomez.

“Battlefield is one of the most loved properties among our players,” said Patrick Söderlund, executive vice president at EA, in a statement. “We are thrilled that Anonymous Content and Paramount TV will look to introduce fans to Battlefield through a new medium.”