Universal Pictures and Sega have announced the development of a film inspired by the Shinobi video game franchise. This partnership seeks to translate the action-packed universe of Shinobi onto the big screen, furthering Sega’s successful exploration of film adaptations.
Key Details of the Shinobi Movie
Director and Screenwriter: The film will be helmed by Sam Hargrave, noted for his work on Netflix’s Extraction series. The screenplay is being adapted by Ken Kobayashi, recognized for his contributions to Sunny and Move On.
Production Team: Produced by Marc Platt and Adam Siegel through Marc Platt Productions, the project also involves Dmitri M. Johnson of Story Kitchen and Toru Nakahara from Sega. Mike Goldberg will act as executive producer, while Timothy I. Stevenson will co-produce.
Franchise Background: The Shinobi series made its debut in 1987 as an arcade title, centered around Joe Musashi, a contemporary ninja fighting against formidable adversaries. The franchise has since grown to include fourteen titles, selling over five million copies globally.
Upcoming Game: Alongside the movie, Sega has revealed plans for a new entry in the Shinobi series as part of their initiative to revitalize classic games. Earlier this year, leaked footage of the new game suggested continuing interest in the franchise.
Although a release date for the film has not yet been set, this announcement enhances Sega’s expanding slate of film projects, which includes the anticipated Sonic 3 movie and a planned adaptation of Streets of Rage. The Shinobi movie aims to encapsulate the franchise’s epic and dynamic action, potentially bringing to life iconic elements from the games, such as memorable boss encounters.
