Daniel Vávra is no longer serving as Creative Director on the new game in development at Warhorse Studios. Instead, the studio co-founder has taken on a new responsibility centered on expanding the Kingdom Come brand into film. The change was confirmed by studio head Martin Frývaldský, who stated, “Dan has a new role. That is the creation of the Kingdom Come film.”
According to Frývaldský, the live-action adaptation represents the next major milestone for the franchise. “We have been pushing the Kingdom Come brand beyond video games for some time now. So far, we have done comics, concerts, and tourism, but the film attracted us the most. That is why we are working with Dan to enter the screens or the silver screen. A working version of the script already exists,” he said. The project is described as a substantial production with global ambitions, not a montage or condensed retelling of the game.
Frývaldský addressed speculation about Vávra’s departure from day-to-day game development. “It is clear to me people will wonder if this is some kind of breakup with Warhorse,” he said, adding, “It is not; on the contrary, Dan himself wanted to move forward. He made three games that had global success; he has wanted to try something different for a long time.” He further confirmed, “Getting Kingdom Come onto the silver screen or the small screen within the next few years is the next milestone we want to reach, and that is Dan’s new role. While you will not meet him in the office every day anymore, in the broader sense, he is still part of Warhorse.”
The studio is currently negotiating with partners from the film industry. “We feel interest from the film world; negotiations are already underway. We do not just want to sell the rights; we want the film to be exactly as we imagine it,” Frývaldský explained. Warhorse intends to remain closely involved in the adaptation to ensure it reflects its creative vision.
The film’s narrative direction has not yet been finalized. “We are working with both possibilities. However, anyone who has played Kingdom Come or even Mafia knows Dan’s signature style and can again expect a strong story,” Frývaldský noted, referring to whether the adaptation will retell the games’ plot or explore new material. He also emphasized the studio’s international ambitions, stating, “It is important for us that, whether through a film or a series, we reach a similar audience as the game. That means the United States, Western Europe, but also Asia.”
The announcement coincides with broader organizational changes at Warhorse Studios, which now employs nearly three hundred people. Viktor Höschl and Martin Štýs have joined senior leadership, while Viktor Bocan and Prokop Jirsa will serve as Creative Directors overseeing game development. Meanwhile, Vávra’s new position, described by Frývaldský as potentially akin to a Transmedia Director role, signals a strategic push to expand Kingdom Come beyond games while keeping the studio’s core focus intact.
