{
  "id": 2804116,
  "title": "One Of TV's Best Video Game Adaptations Was Originally Planned As A Movie Franchise",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/23/one-of-tvs-best-video-game-adaptations-was-originally-planned-as-a",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-23T14:12:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "TVLine",
    "slug": "tvline",
    "url": "https://www.tvline.com/2239863/gangs-of-london-video-game-tv-adaptation-movie-franchise-plans/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Gangs of London, a critically acclaimed crime drama rooted in the video game, initially conceived as a film franchise, according to its creator Gareth Evans. Evans explained that the project's inception came about after securing rights to the video game, which aimed to transform it into a film series. However, Evans, dissatisfied with the limited runtime of a feature film, felt that the essence of London's diverse setting might be compromised. The city's unique, multicultural atmosphere with numerous languages spoken in every street was a crucial aspect of the story for Evans. He believed that a movie format would not allow sufficient time to delve into the intricate lives of side characters and their respective cultures. This led Evans to advocate for a TV series, citing the medium's flexibility to dedicate more time to exploring various characters and subplots. He even suggested the possibility of spin-offs, exploring other cultures within the same universe. Evans' insistence on the TV format was eventually adopted, resulting in one of the best gangster TV shows ever. The show's success has now paved the way for its fourth season, with no specific release date announced yet.",
  "summary": "Video game adaptations have improved since the 1980s, especially when it comes to TV shows. This AMC series is proof you can make a great series out of a game.",
  "key_points": [
    "\"Gangs of London\" initially planned as movie franchise.",
    "Creator Gareth Evans dissatisfied with film runtime.",
    "TV format chosen for deeper character exploration."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}