Far Cry Series Ordered by FX: Noah Hawley and Rob McElhenney Team Up for Ubisoft Anthology

FX has officially ordered a series adaptation of Ubisoft’s blockbuster Far Cry video game franchise, uniting two of the network’s most successful creative forces: Fargo and Alien: Earth creator Noah Hawley, and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia mastermind Rob McElhenney (now professionally known as Rob Mac). The announcement, made November 24, 2025, marks another major video game property joining the streaming wars and represents FX’s most ambitious gaming adaptation to date.

The Far Cry series will follow an anthology format similar to both the games and Hawley’s acclaimed Fargo, with Mac set to star in the first season. The show will stream on Hulu in the United States and Disney+ internationally, produced by FX Productions with full backing from Ubisoft Film & Television.

A Dream Partnership: Hawley and Mac Unite for Far Cry

The collaboration between Noah Hawley and Rob Mac represents a powerhouse combination of proven television excellence. Both creators have longstanding relationships with FX that span decades and multiple award-winning series.

“Getting to work alongside Noah Hawley is a dream realized,” said Mac in an official statement. “Ubisoft has been remarkably generous, entrusting us with one of the most iconic video-game worlds ever created. And through it all, my FX family continues to lift me up with their constant belief and support.”

Hawley, fresh off signing a nine-figure overall deal with FX and Disney Entertainment Television, expressed equal enthusiasm for the project. “What I love about the Far Cry game franchise is it’s an anthology. Each game is a variation of a theme, the same way each season of Fargo is a variation on a theme,” Hawley explained. “To create a big action show that can change from year to year, while always exploring the nature of humanity through this complex and chaotic lens is a dream come true. I’m excited to partner with Rob and bring our shared irreverent, ambitious sensibility to the screen.”

Why FX Is the Perfect Home for Far Cry

FX Entertainment President Nick Grad expressed unwavering confidence in the creative team, highlighting their proven track record with the network. “FX has had magnificent partnerships with Rob Mac and Noah Hawley for a combined six series and 32 seasons of television, and we couldn’t be more excited that they are teaming up for Far Cry,” Grad stated. “I have no doubt that they will tell this story in a way that is original, gripping and wildly entertaining. We also want to thank our partners at Ubisoft for entrusting us with this beloved property.”

The Far Cry series represents FX’s latest move into prestige video game adaptations following the massive success of other networks’ gaming properties. HBO’s The Last of Us, Amazon Prime Video’s Fallout, Netflix’s Arcane, and Paramount+’s Halo have all demonstrated the commercial and critical viability of translating beloved games to television—though with varying degrees of success.

FX’s approach with Far Cry, however, carries unique advantages. The network has cultivated relationships with both Hawley and Mac over more than a decade, understanding their creative processes and trusting their vision. This established partnership stands in stark contrast to studios handing gaming properties to untested showrunners or filmmakers unfamiliar with the source material.

The Far Cry Franchise: A Gaming Powerhouse

Understanding the Far Cry series’ significance requires examining its remarkable commercial success and cultural impact. Since the first game launched in March 2004, the franchise has become one of Ubisoft’s most recognizable and profitable properties.

Far Cry Franchise by the Numbers:

• Total Players: Over 90 million globally (as of March 2024)
• Total Sales: Over 60 million units sold across all titles
• Years Active: 20+ years (2004-2025)
• Mainline Games: Six numbered entries plus multiple spin-offs
• Most Successful Entry: Far Cry 5 (25+ million copies sold)
• First Week Record: Far Cry 5 generated $310 million in consumer spending

Far Cry 5, released in March 2018, shattered franchise records by more than doubling the first-week sales of Far Cry 4. The game generated $310 million in consumer spending during its opening week alone, making it Ubisoft’s second-biggest launch ever behind only Tom Clancy’s The Division. Digital distribution accounted for over 50 percent of those sales, reflecting modern gaming consumption patterns.

The franchise’s success stems from its signature formula: placing players in exotic, lawless frontiers where they must fight against despotic rulers while surviving against wild animals and hostile environments. Each game features memorable antagonists—from Far Cry 3‘s unhinged pirate Vaas Montenegro to Far Cry 5‘s cult leader Joseph Seed—who have become gaming icons in their own right.

Anthology Format: The Key to Far Cry’s Adaptability

The decision to structure the Far Cry series as an anthology proves crucial to its adaptation potential. Unlike franchises with continuous narratives and recurring protagonists, Far Cry games have always featured standalone stories in different locations with different characters.

Previous Far Cry Settings:

• Tropical Micronesian archipelago (Far Cry)
• African savanna and civil war (Far Cry 2)
• Rook Islands pirate haven (Far Cry 3)
• Himalayan mountains and Kyrat nation (Far Cry 4)
• Montana and religious cult (Far Cry 5)
• Tropical Yara dictatorship (Far Cry 6)
• Prehistoric Oros valley (Far Cry Primal)
• 1980s neon dystopia (Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon)

This anthology structure mirrors Hawley’s Fargo, which has successfully run for five seasons while completely changing cast, setting, and time period with each installment. The format allows creative freedom while maintaining thematic coherence—exactly what makes Far Cry games resonate with players.

“Each game is a variation of a theme, the same way each season of Fargo is a variation on a theme,” Hawley noted, drawing the direct parallel between his previous work and Far Cry‘s structure. This understanding of the source material’s DNA suggests Hawley grasps what makes the franchise work beyond surface-level action and explosions.

The anthology format also provides practical production advantages. Cast and crew can rotate between seasons, preventing burnout and allowing the show to attract A-list talent for limited commitments. If one season underperforms critically or commercially, the next can pivot completely rather than being locked into failing storylines.

Rob Mac: From Mythic Quest to Far Cry

Rob Mac’s involvement with Far Cry represents a natural evolution of his relationship with Ubisoft and video game culture. The actor, writer, and producer previously co-created and starred in Apple TV+’s Mythic Quest for four seasons—a workplace comedy set in a fictional video game studio also produced by Ubisoft Film & Television.

Mythic Quest demonstrated Mac’s understanding of gaming culture, industry dynamics, and the passionate communities surrounding beloved franchises. That series balanced insider knowledge with broad accessibility, making it appealing to both hardcore gamers and general audiences. This same sensibility will prove essential for Far Cry, which must satisfy franchise devotees while remaining comprehensible to viewers unfamiliar with the games.

Mac’s starring role in the first season also brings significant box office and streaming appeal. As the creator and star of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia—now the longest-running live-action sitcom in American history with 17 seasons—Mac has proven comedic chops and audience loyalty. However, Far Cry will demand dramatic range beyond his Dennis Reynolds persona, requiring Mac to embody the action-hero archetype while navigating moral ambiguity that defines Far Cry protagonists.

Additionally, Mac’s work as co-owner and executive producer of FX’s Emmy-winning docuseries Welcome to Wrexham has demonstrated his ability to handle prestige television beyond sitcom comedy. That series has won 10 Emmy Awards and showcases Mac’s commitment to quality storytelling across genres.

Production Details: The Team Behind Far Cry

The Far Cry series boasts an impressive production team that extends well beyond Hawley and Mac:

Executive Producers:

• Noah Hawley (26 Keys)
• Rob Mac (More Better Productions)
• Emilia Serrano (26 Keys)
• Nick Frenkel (3 Arts Entertainment)
• Jackie Cohn (More Better Productions)
• John Campisi
• Gerard Guillemot (Ubisoft Film & Television)
• Margaret Boykin (Ubisoft Film & Television)
• Austin Dill (Ubisoft Film & Television)

Production Companies:

• FX Productions (lead producer)
• 26 Keys (Hawley’s Austin-based production company)
• More Better Productions (Mac’s banner)
• 3 Arts Entertainment
• Ubisoft Film & Television

Notably, Ubisoft maintains significant creative control through multiple executive producers from Ubisoft Film & Television. This involvement suggests the game publisher intends to protect the franchise’s integrity while allowing Hawley and Mac creative freedom within established parameters.

Noah Hawley’s Track Record: Why He’s the Right Choice

Noah Hawley brings unparalleled credentials to the Far Cry adaptation, with a track record that consistently demonstrates his ability to reimagine existing properties while maintaining their essential DNA.

Fargo (2014-Present): Hawley transformed the Coen Brothers’ 1996 film into a sprawling anthology series that has earned:

• 7 Emmy Awards from 70 nominations
• 3 Golden Globe Awards from 14 nominations
• 2 AFI Awards
• 1 Peabody Award
• Average 93% Rotten Tomatoes score across five seasons
• Average 84 Metacritic score

Fargo proved Hawley could take a beloved property, honor its spirit, and expand it beyond anyone’s expectations. Each season feels distinctly Fargo—darkly comedic, morally complex, visually distinctive—while telling completely original stories in different time periods with different characters.

Legion (2017-2019): Hawley’s FX-Marvel series based on the X-Men comics character averaged a 91% Rotten Tomatoes score across three seasons. The show took a relatively obscure character and created something genuinely experimental and visually stunning, proving Hawley’s ability to work within established universes while pushing creative boundaries.

Alien: Earth (2025-Present): Hawley’s most recent triumph, Alien: Earth, earned a 94% Certified Fresh rating from Rotten Tomatoes and an 85 Metacritic Must-Watch score. The series successfully adapted Ridley Scott’s iconic sci-fi horror franchise for television, generating passionate fan response and immediate renewal for a second season. This success directly preceded the Far Cry announcement, demonstrating Hawley’s current hot streak with franchise adaptations.

The pattern is clear: Hawley understands how to identify what makes a property resonate, distill those essential elements, and build new stories that feel both faithful and fresh. He doesn’t simply recreate what came before—he evolves it.

The Video Game Adaptation Landscape in 2025

The Far Cry series enters a crowded but increasingly successful video game adaptation market. After decades of failed attempts, the past few years have finally cracked the code on translating interactive entertainment to passive viewing.

Recent Video Game Adaptation Successes:

• The Last of Us (HBO): Critical and commercial smash, multiple Emmy wins
• Fallout (Prime Video): Renewed for Season 2 before premiere, massive viewership
• Arcane (Netflix): Emmy winner, multiple seasons, mainstream crossover appeal
• The Witcher (Netflix): Three seasons, massive global audience
• Cyberpunk: Edgerunners (Netflix): Critical acclaim, revived game sales
• Castlevania (Netflix): Four seasons, spawned spin-off series

However, not all adaptations succeed:

• Halo (Paramount+): Mixed reception despite big budget
• Resident Evil (Netflix): Canceled after one season
• Cowboy Bebop (Netflix): Canceled after one season despite passionate fanbase

The difference between success and failure often comes down to understanding why fans love the source material and hiring creators who respect that foundation while making necessary adaptations for television.

Far Cry possesses advantages over many previous gaming adaptations. Its anthology structure eliminates continuity concerns that plagued franchises like Halo and Resident Evil. Its focus on human conflicts against authoritarian rulers provides clear dramatic stakes without requiring extensive world-building or mythology explanation. And its exotic locations offer visual spectacle without demanding massive CGI budgets for creatures or fantastical elements (though Far Cry games do feature dangerous wildlife).

What Makes Far Cry Adaptable for Television

Several factors make Far Cry particularly suited for television adaptation:

1. Strong Thematic Foundation Far Cry games consistently explore themes of oppression, resistance, moral ambiguity, and the corruption of power. These themes translate naturally to prestige television drama without requiring extensive modification.

2. Memorable Antagonists The franchise has produced iconic villains who transcend gaming: Vaas Montenegro’s unhinged philosophy (“Did I ever tell you the definition of insanity?”), Pagan Min’s flamboyant tyranny, Joseph Seed’s cultish manipulation. These characters provide rich material for actors to showcase dramatic range.

3. Exotic Locales Each Far Cry game visits stunning locations—tropical islands, African savannas, Himalayan peaks, Montana wilderness. These settings offer visual diversity across seasons while potentially qualifying for international production incentives.

4. Action Set Pieces The games deliver spectacular action—base assaults, vehicle chases, wildlife attacks, explosive confrontations. These sequences translate directly to television action while staying grounded in reality rather than requiring extensive visual effects.

5. Moral Complexity Far Cry protagonists often make questionable choices, allying with lesser evils against greater threats. This moral ambiguity aligns perfectly with prestige television’s rejection of simple heroes and villains.

6. No Required Prior Knowledge Unlike Halo or The Witcher, which require understanding complex lore, Far Cry seasons can function as standalone stories. Viewers need not have played the games to understand the television adaptation.

Challenges Facing the Far Cry Series

Despite its advantages, the Far Cry adaptation faces significant challenges:

Violence and Tone Far Cry games feature graphic violence, torture sequences, and dark subject matter. Translating this to television while maintaining broad appeal requires careful calibration. Too sanitized, and it loses the franchise’s edge. Too graphic, and it alienates mainstream audiences.

Avoiding the “White Savior” Trap Multiple Far Cry games have been criticized for depicting American or European protagonists as saviors in foreign lands inhabited by people of color. The television series must navigate these concerns thoughtfully, potentially by diversifying protagonist backgrounds or examining power dynamics more critically than the games.

Saturation in Video Game Adaptations With numerous gaming properties already adapted or in development, audience fatigue represents a real concern. Far Cry must differentiate itself from competitors while justifying its existence beyond “it’s based on a popular game.”

Living Up to Expectations Far Cry fans have strong opinions about what makes the franchise special. Some prefer the survival elements of Far Cry 2, others the narrative focus of Far Cry 3, still others the cooperative chaos of Far Cry 5. Satisfying diverse fan expectations while appealing to non-gamers proves challenging.

The 2008 Film Disaster German director Uwe Boll’s 2008 Far Cry film adaptation starring Til Schweiger was critically savaged and commercially unsuccessful. The television series must overcome negative associations with that disaster by demonstrating superior quality from the outset.

Mac and Hawley’s “Irreverent, Ambitious Sensibility”

Hawley’s statement about bringing their “shared irreverent, ambitious sensibility” to Far Cry provides crucial insight into the show’s likely tone. Both creators excel at balancing dark subject matter with unexpected humor, creating tension between serious themes and absurdist moments.

Fargo masterfully walks this tightrope, depicting horrific violence and moral degradation while finding dark comedy in human folly. It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia takes the opposite approach—using sitcom format to explore genuinely terrible people doing terrible things, finding humor in sociopathy while never glorifying it.

Far Cry games contain similar tonal mixture. They feature unhinged villains delivering philosophical monologues, desperate struggles for survival, and moments of pure chaos when gameplay systems collide (a tiger attacks while you’re escaping an enemy base, creating emergent comedy from disaster). This tonal complexity separates Far Cry from generic shooters and provides rich material for Hawley and Mac to explore.

The “ambitious” part suggests they won’t settle for simple action-adventure television. Expect visual experimentation (a Hawley trademark), complex narrative structures, and willingness to take creative risks that might alienate some viewers while thrilling others.

Streaming Strategy: Hulu and Disney+

The Far Cry series will stream on Hulu in the United States and Disney+ internationally, following FX’s current distribution strategy for its original series. This dual-platform approach maximizes global reach while leveraging Disney’s streaming infrastructure.

Hulu provides access to FX’s core adult demographic in the U.S., where the service has established itself as home for prestige television content. Disney+ handles international distribution, bringing Far Cry to territories where Hulu doesn’t operate while maintaining Disney’s global streaming ecosystem.

This strategy has worked exceptionally well for Alien: Earth, which posted strong viewership across both platforms. The question remains whether Far Cry can attract similar audiences, particularly given the crowded streaming landscape and competition from established franchises.

Production Timeline and Release Expectations

While exact production timelines haven’t been announced, typical FX series development suggests the following trajectory:

Estimated Timeline:

• Late 2025 / Early 2026: Writing rooms begin, scripts developed
• Mid-to-Late 2026: Principal photography on Season 1
• Late 2026 / Early 2027: Post-production
• 2027: Premiere on Hulu and Disney+

This timeline allows Hawley to complete his commitments to Alien: Earth Season 2 (filming begins in London in 2026) and potentially deliver another Fargo season before fully immersing himself in Far Cry. Mac’s schedule appears more flexible, having recently concluded Mythic Quest after four seasons.

The production will need to secure international filming locations that double for whichever setting the first season tackles. Whether they choose a tropical island, mountain range, desert environment, or other locale will significantly impact where filming occurs and production budget requirements.

What Season 1 Might Explore

While plot details remain under wraps, several possibilities emerge based on the franchise’s history and the creators’ sensibilities:

Potential Season 1 Settings:

1. Cult Compound (Far Cry 5-inspired): Exploring American extremism through a charismatic religious leader controlling an isolated community. Relevant to current events, offers spectacular Montana locations, allows examination of faith and manipulation.
2. Tropical Dictatorship (Far Cry 6-inspired): Following rebels fighting against an authoritarian regime on a Caribbean island. Provides visual spectacle, explores themes of revolution and oppression, allows for diverse casting.
3. Corporate Exploitation (Original Story): Following Ubisoft and gaming’s evolution since 2004, perhaps examining how corporations exploit resources and people in lawless regions, making environmental and economic commentary relevant to 2025 audiences.
4. 1980s Cold War Setting (Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon-inspired): Leaning into the franchise’s occasional absurdity with a neon-soaked action-comedy that lets Mac’s comedic talents shine while maintaining stakes and violence.

Regardless of setting, expect strong antagonist as centerpiece, moral ambiguity where “good guys” make questionable choices, spectacular action sequences, and thematic exploration of power, freedom, and resistance that elevates material beyond generic action television.

The Future of Ubisoft Television

The Far Cry series represents Ubisoft’s continued push into television and film production. The game publisher has increasingly recognized the value of transmedia storytelling, developing properties across multiple platforms.

Ubisoft Television Projects:

• Mythic Quest (Apple TV+): Four seasons, Ubisoft co-production
• Far Cry (FX/Hulu/Disney+): Newly ordered anthology series
• Assassin’s Creed (Netflix): In development
• Various other properties in early stages

This strategy mirrors successful approaches by other entertainment companies that leverage valuable IP across film, television, gaming, and merchandising. Unlike many publishers who simply license properties to studios, Ubisoft maintains creative involvement through Ubisoft Film & Television, ensuring brand consistency while allowing creators like Hawley and Mac necessary artistic freedom.

Fan Reactions and Expectations

Early fan reactions to the Far Cry series announcement have been cautiously optimistic, largely due to Hawley and Mac’s involvement. Comments across social media and gaming forums reveal:

Positive Sentiment:

• Trust in Hawley’s track record with franchise adaptations
• Excitement about anthology format avoiding continuity issues
• Appreciation for FX’s prestige television reputation
• Interest in seeing Mac in dramatic action role
• Relief that Ubisoft chose proven creators over unknown quantities

Concerns:

• Worry about “white savior” narratives from game series
• Questions about violence levels and ratings
• Skepticism about another video game adaptation after mixed results
• Desire to see specific villains or settings adapted
• Fear that it won’t capture games’ emergent gameplay chaos

One recurring theme in fan discussions centers on which Far Cry villain should appear. Vaas Montenegro from Far Cry 3 dominates these conversations, with many fans considering him the franchise’s definitive antagonist. However, the anthology format means every season could introduce a completely original villain rather than adapting existing game characters.

A Franchise Worth Fighting For

FX’s Far Cry series represents the perfect collision of creative talent, proven franchise, and supportive network partnership. Noah Hawley’s track record with adaptation excellence and Rob Mac’s understanding of gaming culture provide an ideal foundation for translating Ubisoft’s blockbuster property to television.

The anthology format solves many challenges that have plagued previous gaming adaptations while allowing creative freedom to explore different settings, characters, and themes each season. The franchise’s 20-year history and 90 million player base provide built-in audience, while exotic locations and memorable villains offer visual and dramatic appeal to newcomers.

Challenges remain—navigating franchise baggage, differentiating from competitors, living up to fan expectations, and justifying the adaptation’s existence beyond commercial considerations. However, if anyone can successfully adapt Far Cry while maintaining artistic integrity, it’s Hawley and Mac working within FX’s creator-friendly environment.

As Hawley noted, exploring “the nature of humanity through this complex and chaotic lens” elevates Far Cry beyond simple action television. The franchise’s examination of power, resistance, moral compromise, and human nature in extreme circumstances provides rich thematic material for prestige television drama.

The series won’t premiere until 2027 at earliest, leaving time for extensive development, script refinement, and production planning. But with FX’s track record, Hawley’s vision, Mac’s involvement, and Ubisoft’s support, the Far Cry series has every advantage necessary to succeed where so many video game adaptations have failed.

Whether the show can deliver the same adrenaline-fueled chaos and emergent storytelling that makes Far Cry games beloved remains to be seen. But with creators who understand both the source material and quality television, fans have reason for genuine optimism rather than cynical resignation.

The lawless frontiers of Far Cry are coming to television. And unlike the desperate protagonists trapped in those dangerous locations, this adaptation has a clear path forward—guided by two of television’s most talented storytellers, supported by one of television’s most respected networks, and built on one of gaming’s most successful franchises.

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