Amazon agrees deal with Games Workshop to create Warhammer TV series

Amazon has struck a deal with the high street games chain Games Workshop to create a series based on its hit franchise Warhammer, the science-fiction fantasy miniature war game, potentially featuring the former Superman star Henry Cavill.

Games Workshop said that the first rights to be developed will relate to the Warhammer 40,000 franchise, which was made into a computer-animated film in 2010.

On Friday it emerged that Henry Cavill, who now will not return in future Superman films as he had planned, has been linked to a leading role in the new series. The British actor is said to be a big fan of Warhammer 40,000, even hand-painting miniature figures himself.

Despite signing the potentially hugely lucrative deal, Games Workshop, started more than 40 years ago by three school friends, did not raise its financial guidance for the year to the end of May.

Amazon continues to spend billions annually on making content for its Prime Video streaming service, a key element of its strategy to get customers to sign up for its monthly subscription services, including more than $500m (£411m) to date on the Lord of the Rings prequel The Rings of Power.

Shares in Games Workshop soared by 15% on Friday, making it the biggest riser on the FTSE 250, as investors cheered the prospect of a rise in long-term profits from the relationship with Amazon.