Bandai Namco Entertainment America has announced HOUR ZERO, a four-part live-action prequel to ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE. Starring Josh Holloway (Lost, Yellowstone), Brandon Routh (Superman Returns) and Tamlyn Tomita (Cobra Kai), the short film series will begin on September 15, with its final installment arriving ahead of the game’s October 2 launch.
HOUR ZERO follows three strangers whose lives are upended during the opening days of the Republic of Sotoa’s invasion of the Federation of Central Usea. Holloway plays a pilot with nowhere to land, Routh portrays a doctor who saves an enemy, while Tomita stars as a news anchor who is silenced after attempting to tell the truth. The story unfolds in reverse, focusing on the family lives of its three leads as it counts down to the moment their ordinary lives are destroyed by the outbreak of war.
The prequel is intended to introduce both longtime fans and newcomers to the world of ACE COMBAT while setting the stage for the events of the game’s Campaign Mode. ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE returns to the series’ fictional Strangereal setting, where the Federation of Central Usea has been occupied and its military left shattered. Players take on the role of the ace known as Wings of Theve, joining three new fighter pilots in an effort to repel Sotoa’s invasion and reclaim their homeland.
Developed by Bandai Namco Aces Inc., ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE is the first mainline entry in the series in seven years. The game is being developed with Unreal Engine 5 and proprietary technology, with Bandai Namco promising its most cinematic flight combat experience yet.
ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE will launch for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC via Steam on October 2, 2026. Deluxe Edition owners will receive early access beginning September 29. Pre-orders are now available for both the Standard and Deluxe Editions.