Splinter Cell: Deathwatch - Everything we know so far

Fans of Tom Clancy’s universe can hardly hold their excitement, as Netflix’s Geeked Week finally reveals details on Splinter Cell: Deathwatch. The new series has already been making waves across the internet with the recently dropped teaser, featuring the iconic character, Sam Fischer. Since the series was teased in 2020, the latest updates have simply relieved the audience.

The recent entry in the franchise was Splinter Cell: Blacklist, the sixth installment of the video game that debuted on August 20, 2013. Given it took nearly a decade for new content, fans are growing eager to see how Deathwatch evolves the beloved franchise. Follow along with the article to learn more.

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Has Splinter Cell: Deathwatch announced a release date yet?

While most of Netflix’s animated lineup has revealed their release details, Splinter Cell: Deathwatch has remained notably silent on the matter. Nevertheless, the new teaser has restored faith in the series, reigniting excitement among fans and newcomers to the franchise alike.

Additionally, Netflix’s Geeked Week 2024 also confirmed the title to be Deathwatch. The animation adaptation of the series was announced back in 2021 during Netflix’s Geeked Week. A first look was released featuring Sam Fisher embracing the dark and stealth with his iconic Third Echelon multi-vision goggles.

The picture showcasing Fisher with blood stains on his face and coat confirmed the fact that it will indeed be an action-packed goodness.

With no updates after the big reveal in 2021, fans were growing concerned. However, a job listing posted in December 2023 for a light and shadow supervisor assured that the project was indeed in development.

On April 2024, one of the members of the animation team responded to a fan post on Reddit stating the progress of the series. Here’s what he said:

“I can't reveal much more but I can indeed confirm it is gonna be released, it's currently in production... It was announced way too early by Netflix compared to when it actually started.”

Besides the wave of excitement, fans of the franchise will be disappointed to learn that Michael Ironside, the original voice actor for Sam Fisher, won’t be reprising his role in the animation adaptation. However, during an interview with The Nerd Shepherd published on August 29, 2024, Ironside commented on Netflix’s decision:

"Netflix owns Sam Fisher. They’ve already shot the miniseries, an extended series with Liev Schreiber playing Sam. And I think it’s done and in the can. They also have an anime series with Sam that they’re going to push first."

He further said:

"COVID and the SAG strike delayed everything a bit, but no, I’m sure I’ll be 75 in the spring. There’s no way I should be playing Sam Fisher. I can’t be a part of the series because if I open my mouth, they’ll know it’s Sam."

Ironside last appeared in Hulu’s The Dropout, playing the role of Don Lucas. The cast who will be voicing Fisher is Liev Schreiber, popularly known for playing Sabertooth in X-Men Origins: Wolverine.

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What will Splinter Cell: Deathwatch be all about?

Besides the long list of things unrevealed things, the plot summary of Splinter Cell: Deathwatch is also a big mystery that will be unveiled in time. However, Derek Kolstad, the writer behind the new animated series, unveiled surface-level details during an interview with Collider on March 22, 2021. He offered a glimpse into what’s to come:

"Every season is going to be self-contained, outside of the evolution of the main character."

Kolstad elaborated:

"I like having one big, bad, one overarching story and one background story, with the A/B of it all, and yet, I look at everything I do -- well, almost everything -- especially in film and TV, as the best Westerns. He rides off into the sunset because he's going to do the same f***ing thing the next town over until he dies doing it.”

More details about Splinter Cell: Deathwatch will be revealed in time, including additional cast details, the official logline, and the soundtrack.

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Stay tuned for more news and updates on Splinter Cell: Deathwatch, and all your favorite TV shows and movies as 2024 progresses.