Its been 12 years since we’ve received a new Splinter Cell game and spent time with Sam Fisher. Last year we wondered if Ubisoft was underutilizing the Tom Clancy universe as well. Perhaps now we know why. Thanks to the power of anime and Netflix, Fisher is back in the spotlight in upcoming anime Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Deathwatch.
Derek Kolstad, known for his work on the John Wick franchise, was on hand to help reveal the teaser at Anime NYC 2025. When asked about his interest in the franchise he shared he read Tom Clancy books growing up. So of course when Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell became a game, he had to play. Unfortunately for younger Kolstad, he admitted to the audience at Anime NYC that he sucked at the games. Now he gets to shape the Splinter Cell series and Sam Fisher for the next generation.
In the trailer for upcoming Deathwatch, we see the funeral of Sam’s former comrade Douglas Shetland. This sets Deathwatch after the events of Chaos Theory as Sam killed Douglas in that game. How long after the previous game is a bit unclear but we do know Sam has since retired. “You have Sam in his retirement phase, hiding in plain sight with most of his enemies long gone,” Kolstad told Den of Geek. He went on to say, “There is contentment in the order that he’s built, and yet discontentment in his own various regrets and the haunting nature of a vet.”
Voicing Sam Fisher will be actor Liev Schreiber who Kolstad felt was perfect for the role. Alongside Schreiber will be Kirby Howell-Baptiste as Zinnia McKenna. Zinnia pulls Sam out of retirement in Deathwatch when seeking his help after being wounded. Expect to see Sam a bit rusty at first. Don’t worry, seemingly that won’t last long. Sam will be pulling out all the stops and putting his skills to use in this upcoming continuation of the Splinter Cell series.
The series premieres on October 14th on Netflix. It joins other video game adaptations on Netflix such as Devil May Cry and upcoming Assassin’s Creed.
Will you be watching an older Sam Fisher be the killer that he is? Can this perhaps revitalize the Splinter Cell game series and bring a new generation in? Let us know if you’ll be watching down below.
