Games Workshop and Amazon agree ‘artistic tips’ over Warhammer TV deal

Games Workshop and Amazon have agreed ‘creative guidelines’ for adapting Warhammer 40,000 into films and television shows.

The two companies struck a deal in principle in December 2022 to make films and TV series of Games Workshop’s intellectual property.

A year later, Games Workshop gave Amazon exclusive rights to develop projects set within the Warhammer 40,000 universe, along with the associated merchandise rights.

It also gave Amazon an option to license equivalent rights in the Warhammer Fantasy universe once the initial Warhammer 40,000 production is released.

The two groups have agreed on creative guidelines, but Games Workshop cautioned that TV and film production processes ‘may take a number of years’.

Superman actor Henry Cavill has reportedly signed up to star and executive produce an Amazon series based on Warhammer 40,000, having been a fan of the tabletop game since he was young.

Productions coming: Games Workshop and Amazon have agreed on ‘creative guidelines’ for adapting Warhammer 40,000 into films and television shows 

Games Workshop’s announcement comes as the Nottingham-based retailer prepares to enter the FTSE 100 Index for the first time following meteoric growth over the past decade.

Last month, the firm said its combined core and licensing revenues were expected to total at least £290million for the six months ending 1 December, against £248.6million during the same period last year.

It also forecasts minimum pre-tax profits of £120million, a 25 per cent increase on the £96million recorded in 2023.

Founded in 1975, Games Workshop’s annual sales have roughly doubled since the Covid-19 pandemic, which encouraged people to spend more time playing board games while stuck at home.

In its last financial year, the business achieved £525.7million in turnover and pre-tax profits of £203million, partly due to strong demand for the tenth edition of Warhammer 40k.

Another of the company’s most popular creations is the American football-inspired Blood Bowl, where teams of fantasy creatures like elves, goblins, and orcs battle to score ‘touchdowns’.

Games Workshop’s current market capitalisation stands at around £4.6billion, having seen its share skyrocket by over 2,600 per cent in the past 10 years.

According to AJ Bell data, the group delivered a 2,630 per cent return on investment during the 2010s, the second-highest of any FTSE 250 stock.

Games Workshop shares were 0.4 per cent higher at 14,010p on Tuesday morning, taking their gains to around 42 per cent since the year started.