Assassin's Creed movie is in production and has a confirmed 2016 release date

The Assassin's Creed movie is now in production, Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot revealed today during a company earnings call.

"We have the pleasure to announce today that the green light has been given by New Regency, and the production has already started," Guillemot said. "This is a very important milestone for the project and for our team on Assassin’s Creed."

Ubisoft Motion Pictures announced its partnership with New Regency and distributor 20th Century Fox in October 2012. Multiple reports in the ensuing years pegged the unnamed movie’s release in 2015.

Today, Guillemot confirmed recent reports that the movie is slated for a Dec. 21, 2016, release.

Deadline reported last April that Justin Kurzel (The Turning, The Snowtown Murders) would direct. Actor Michael Fassbender (Hunger, Inglorious Basterds) has long been linked to the project, as have several writers, including Michael Lesslie (Macbeth), Scott Frank (The Wolverine, Minority Report) as well as Adam Cooper and Bill Collage (Exodus: Gods and Kings).