From an Emmy-nominated VR game to an international entertainment franchise, The Pirate Queen is entering its most ambitious chapter yet.
Singer Studios is accelerating the international expansion of The Pirate Queen, with a graphic novel co-written by Lucy Liu and Eloise Singer arriving in 2027, a new game in development and a global immersive tour.
The developments, revealed in an exclusive interview with Variety, mark a significant new phase for the award-winning property, which has grown from an independent immersive production into a franchise spanning publishing, gaming and location-based entertainment.
The announcement comes as Singer Studios founder and The Pirate Queen creator Eloise Singer is named a 2026 BAFTA Breakthrough, supported by Netflix, recognising her work in immersive storytelling.
From Independent VR Game to International Franchise
Inspired by the extraordinary true story of Cheng Shih, the Chinese pirate leader who commanded one of history's most formidable fleets, The Pirate Queen first captured international attention at the 2023 Tribeca Festival, where it won the Storyscapes Award.
The original VR game, The Pirate Queen: A Forgotten Legend, starring and executive produced by Lucy Liu, launched in March 2024 and went on to receive an Emmy nomination.
Its success laid the foundations for a much larger creative universe, with Singer Studios continuing to develop and expand the property across multiple entertainment platforms.
Lucy Liu and Eloise Singer Bring The Pirate Queen to Publishing
The franchise's next major release is The Pirate Queen: Crimson Reign, a graphic novel co-written by Lucy Liu and Eloise Singer, illustrated by Soo Lee and scheduled for publication in 2027.
The publication represents a significant expansion beyond immersive entertainment, introducing The Pirate Queen to the international graphic novel market.
The project builds on the creative partnership between Liu and Singer, bringing Cheng Shih's world to a new generation of readers while establishing further foundations for the franchise's long-term growth.
No Safe Waters Heads Towards International Exhibition Rollout
Following its selection for the 2026 Festival de Cannes Immersive Competition, The Pirate Queen: No Safe Waters is moving into its next phase of international distribution.
Written and directed by Eloise Singer and narrated by Lucy Liu, the large-scale immersive installation brings Cheng Shih's story to life through cinematic projections, immersive sound and shared physical environments.
With its international rollout targeted for 2027, Singer Studios is developing exhibition opportunities across multiple territories, bringing the experience to cultural institutions, immersive venues and new audiences worldwide.
A New Game Expands The Pirate Queen Universe
Alongside publishing and location-based entertainment, Singer Studios has announced a new Pirate Queen game.
Building on the success of A Forgotten Legend, the new project extends the franchise's presence in interactive entertainment and forms part of a wider strategy to grow The Pirate Queen across complementary platforms.
With an established award-winning original title, an expanding creative universe and new interactive experiences in development, The Pirate Queen is positioned for its next phase of growth in the global games and immersive entertainment markets.
BAFTA Breakthrough Recognition, Supported by Netflix
The franchise's expansion coincides with Eloise Singer being selected as a 2026 BAFTA Breakthrough, supported by Netflix.
The recognition celebrates Singer's work creating The Pirate Queen and follows nearly a decade of independent development, creative collaboration and international recognition.
From Tribeca and the Emmys to Cannes and BAFTA, The Pirate Queen has continued to build its profile across the global entertainment industry.
The BAFTA announcement arrives at a pivotal moment, as Singer Studios advances the next stage of the franchise's international development.
Read the exclusive Variety interview with Lucy Liu and Eloise Singer:
Lucy Liu's The Pirate Queen Expands with Graphic Novel, New Game and International Tour — Variety
