Amazon is set to bring yet another video game franchise to life via a live-action adaptation of Mass Effect. Over the years, the beloved sci-fi RPG has maintained a place in a lot of gamers' hearts, and as the wait for the next entry continues, the promise of a Mass Effect TV series is compelling.
One of the biggest questions facing the show right now is who the cast will be. As of now, there is practically nothing known about what the Mass Effect show will entail, but thanks to recent leaks regarding a casting call, eager fans may have been given a small glimpse into the series. These leaks come from insider Daniel Richtman, and while he has been accurate in the past, it's important to approach any claims with skepticism. However, if this casting call is accurate, then it could potentially be divisive by making a male Shepard the canon choice.
Amazon's Mass Effect Casting Call Could Point to a Male Shepard Leading the Story
What Exactly Does the Casting Call Say?
According to Richtman, Amazon is looking for a male lead in their early to late 30s. Described as a "young Colin Farrell" type, this could easily lead one to believe that this cements male Shepard as the main character. Of course, there's no way to know for sure, but unless the show is led by a brand-new character, then this casting is more than likely pointing to Shepard. Mass Effect and its characters have helped build the franchise, and the potential decision to make one Shepard canon over the other is bound to make waves among the fan base.
Doug Jung will serve as the showrunner for the Mass Effect series, while Daniel Casey is set to pen the script.
As controversial as it could be for Amazon's Mass Effect series to choose one version of Shepard over the other, such a decision could potentially be backed by data reported from developer BioWare itself. Back in 2021, it was revealed that 32% of Mass Effect: Legendary Edition players chose female Shepard, while the remaining 68% took on the role of male Shepard. While a third of fans preferred the female version, it's clear that the male counterpart has been the most preferred iteration of the character.
This is purely speculation, but it's definitely possible that Amazon could have looked to this data in order to inform its decision on which version of Shepard should lead the TV adaptation's story, if the character is even present at all.
It was recently revealed that the production team for Amazon's Fallout adaptation will be joining the Mass Effect series, too.
Amazon's Mass Effect Series is Still Shrouded in Mystery
Just because this leaked casting call mentions a male lead doesn't mean that it's Shepard in the spotlight. It has yet to be revealed whether Amazon is doing a direct adaptation or not. For example, Amazon's Fallout series introduced a brand-new cast within the franchise's established lore, so it's quite possible that Mass Effect could be taking the same route. On the one hand, this would sidestep any controversy that picking a canon Shepard would create, but on the other hand, some may be upset that the show isn't an exact adaptation of the games.
As it stands, only time will tell what Amazon has in store with its planned Mass Effect series. Many fans of the games have been eagerly awaiting the next Mass Effect chapter for years at this point, and the confirmation of a live-action show in the works hopefully hints at the resurgence of the games, as well.
Mass Effect: Andromeda
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 72 /100 Critics Rec: 40%
- Released
- March 1, 2017
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Violence
- Developer(s)
- BioWare
- Publisher(s)
- Electronic Arts
WHERE TO PLAY
Mass Effect: Andromeda travels deep into the Andromeda Galaxy, far beyond the Milky Way. There, you will lead our fight for a new home in hostile territory where we are the aliens. Take command as the Pathfinder, a leader of a squad of military-trained explorers, with deep progression and customization systems. This is the story of humanity’s next chapter, and your choices throughout the game will ultimately determine our survival in the Andromeda Galaxy. As you unfold the mysteries of the Andromeda Galaxy and the hope for humanity lies on your shoulders, you must ask yourself – how far will you go?
