The Play to Screen Report - 6th October 2026

From iconic toys and games heading to the big screen to comics getting the TV treatment, there’s plenty happening in the world of play and pop culture this week. Sacha has rounded up the latest casting news, adaptations, sequels and rumours for our latest 'Play to Screen Report'.

Sony Pictures is closing in on a deal to bring EA’s blockbuster 'Battlefield' video game franchise to cinemas following a competitive bidding war. 'Mission: Impossible' filmmaker Christopher McQuarrie is attached to write, direct and produce the adaptation, with Michael B. Jordan also on board as a producer and potentially taking a starring role. The project is still in its early stages, with story details being kept under wraps, but it would mark a major new screen outing for the long-running military shooter series.

Matthew Lillard has confirmed that 'Five Nights at Freddy’s 3' is moving forward, with filming planned for 2027 and an early version of the script already generating excitement. Lillard is set to return for the third instalment, while Gary Dauberman has reportedly taken over writing duties and Emma Tammi is expected to return as director. An official release date has not yet been announced.

Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos has confirmed the 'KPop Demon Hunters' sequel will receive a “very broad” theatrical release, marking a major shift from the original film’s streaming-first debut. He said the sequel will be among a selection of Netflix titles getting big, global cinema releases as the streamer expands its theatrical strategy. The sequel is officially in development, with Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans returning to direct.

Amazon MGM Studios is developing a feature adaptation of Garth Ennis’ Hollywood horror-noir comic 'Freddie the Fix', with 'One of Them Days' filmmaker Lawrence Lamont set to direct. The story follows Freddie, a fixer for Hollywood’s supernatural elite who has an almost magical talent for making incriminating things disappear. Launched in 2024 as the first release from horror imprint Ninth Circle, the sold-out comic was illustrated by Mike Perkins and is now the imprint’s first property to make the move to screen.

Chris Pratt is rumoured to be returning as Star-Lord for a new space-based MCU movie alongside Nova and Silver Surfer. While the team-up itself hasn’t been officially confirmed, a 'Nova' movie is in development and 'Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3' promised that Star-Lord would return. Pratt recently called the Marvel hero the “role of a lifetime”, so we may not have seen the last of Peter Quill just yet.

Mattel is relaunching the franchise with animated series 'Thomas & Friends: Railway Stories', set to premiere in 2027 with stories centred on teamwork and friendship. The new show will be available across YouTube, Netflix, Amazon Prime and free-to-air channels, while the relaunch has already kicked off with the 30-minute special 'Really Helpful Engines'. A new toy line featuring larger-scale and motorised engines, magnetic connectors and the Easy Connect track system is also rolling out.

Zack Snyder has fuelled fan speculation after sharing a scene from 'Zack Snyder’s Justice League' featuring Bruce Wayne telling Alfred, “Faith, Alfred. Faith.” The post arrived just one day before the Paramount-Warner Bros. merger was due to close and quickly attracted thousands of comments calling for the SnyderVerse to be restored. Nothing has been officially announced, but the timing has certainly caught fans’ attention.

Margot Robbie’s production company is still working on 'The Sims' movie, with producer Roy Lee offering a hint at what fans can expect from the unusual game-to-screen adaptation. Lee says the film will land somewhere between 'The Lego Movie' and 'Barbie', suggesting a family-friendly comedy with humour designed to appeal beyond younger audiences. Further details about exactly how the famously open-ended game will translate to the big screen remain under wraps.

Netflix is developing a new 'Sesame Street' feature film alongside Sesame Workshop and production company Rideback, bringing Elmo, Cookie Monster and friends to the movies once again. Plot, cast and release details are still under wraps, but the news comes as Netflix expands its commitment to the franchise, with its deal for new seasons of 'Sesame Street' extended through Season 62.

David Corenswet (aka Superman) has teased what we can expect from 'Man of Tomorrow', comparing the 'Superman' follow-up to the opening of 'The Empire Strikes Back'. He said the relationships between Superman and Lex Luthor, and Clark and Lois, will be more established this time around, before those relationships are put at risk. The film arrives in cinemas on July 9, 2027, and we are REALLY excited to see this one.

Sony is reportedly developing a live-action version of Naoya Matsumoto’s hugely popular manga and anime series 'Kaiju No. 8'. The project has yet to be officially confirmed, and it’s currently unclear whether the adaptation would be a movie or TV series, with no writers or producers attached so far. For now, this one remains firmly in rumour territory, but it’s certainly one to watch.

Production on 'The Batman Part II' has been temporarily paused while director and co-writer Matt Reeves steps away to focus on a family matter. Warner Bros. says Reeves has the full support of DC Studios and it hopes to continue production soon, although it is unclear whether the delay will affect the film’s February 18, 2028 release date. Robert Pattinson is returning as Bruce Wayne, with filming having already been underway for several months.

A 'Barbie' sequel looks closer than ever, with the newly merged Paramount Warner Bros. reportedly keen to make another film following the original’s massive $1.44 billion worldwide box office. New film bosses Dana Goldberg and Josh Greenstein have reportedly reached out to Margot Robbie and her LuckyChap partners, with one source saying there is “no way” a sequel doesn’t happen. Nothing has been officially confirmed yet, but it sounds like Barbie could be heading back to the big screen.

Disney’s live-action sequel is reportedly casting a new lead character named Nellie, a fast-talking nine or 10-year-old who has recently moved to Hawaii and quickly befriends Lilo and Stitch. Maia Kealoha and Sydney Agudong are returning as Lilo and Nani, with Chris Sanders directing a brand-new story rather than adapting 'Stitch Has a Glitch'. Filming is reportedly underway in Oahu, with the movie set to hit cinemas on May 26, 2028.

That’s it for this week’s 'Play to Screen Report'! Which upcoming movie or series are you most excited for, and what toy, game or comic would you love to see make the leap to screen next?