Shinobi Is the Latest Video Game to Get the Movie Treatment

Shinobi Is the Latest Video Game to Get the Movie Treatment

Key Takeaways

  • SEGA’s classic Shinobi franchise is getting a movie adaptation.
  • Sam Hargrave will direct the film, known for his work on Netflix’s Extraction.
  • Shinobi is one of many fighting game adaptations in the works, including Mortal Kombat 2.

As a long-time gamer with memories of playing arcade games etched deeply into my nostalgic soul, I can hardly contain my excitement about the upcoming Shinobi movie adaptation! Growing up, I fondly remember spending countless hours mastering the art of the ninja, battling against the nefarious Zeed organization in the original 1987 arcade game. Now, over three decades later, we’re finally going to see this cherished franchise grace the silver screen!


Currently, video game adaptations for movies and TV shows are extremely popular, and it appears that a timeless SEGA arcade series is next in line for a cinematic makeover. It has been disclosed that a Shinobi film is under production by Universal, marking the first time this cherished ninja franchise will appear on screen.

The Shinobi series, initially introduced on SEGA arcade machines in 1987, gained immense popularity with its side-scrolling action gameplay. The narrative revolves around ninja Joe Musashi, who embarks on a mission to prevent the malevolent Zeed criminal syndicate from abducting children from his clan. Over the years, the Shinobi series expanded into 14 video games, with the last one appearing on Nintendo DS in 2011. After a hiatus of over a decade, SEGA announced at The Game Awards in 2023 that a new installment of Shinobi is being developed.

It’s possible that a movie based on the game Shinobi could come out before a new video game, as developments are progressing for this film at Universal. According to Deadline, Sam Hargrave has been chosen to direct the Shinobi movie, with Ken Kobayashi (Sunny) having written the script. Notably, Hargrave is an experienced stuntman, particularly recognized for his directorial work on the Extraction films with Chris Hemsworth for Netflix. Moreover, this won’t be Hargrave’s first venture into the video game world, as he previously directed the short film PUBG Ground of Honor: Rondo in partnership with PUBG: Battlegrounds in 2023, which garnered over 4 million views on YouTube.

The makers of the upcoming Shinobi film include Marc Platt and Adam Siegel from Marc Platt Productions, Dmitri M. Johnson from Story Kitchen, and Toru Nakahara for SEGA. Marc Platt has been associated with a Shinobi movie adaptation since 2016, but it’s taken several years to secure the key creative personnel. In 2016, Platt expressed his excitement about the project, stating that they aim to create a film that maintains the core spirit of the games.

Shinobi Is the Latest Video Game to Get the Movie Treatment

In Shinobi, you’ll often find yourself employing shurikens (throwing knives) and a ninjato (sword), along with acrobatic moves like jumping and somersaulting for navigation. The game was notably appreciated back then for its innovative enemy AI, which enabled them to seek cover or counterattack. At the end of each Shinobi level, you’ll encounter a challenging boss that you must vanquish to advance further.

The tale of Shinobi is certainly a strong candidate for becoming a movie, potentially joining the ranks of successful action series such as John Wick and Monkey Man. Given his previous work on the action-packed Extraction films, it’s plausible that Chris Hargrave would be an ideal fit to bring Shinobi to life. His background in stuntwork promises a wealth of exciting action sequences. However, no release date has been set for the movie. With Mortal Kombat 2 scheduled for 2025, a new Street Fighter adaptation from Capcom targeting a 2026 release, and a Sifu film in development by the John Wick creative team, Shinobi will likely join other fighting video game adaptations when it eventually graces our screens. This year, SEGA’s another major video game adaptation, Sonic the Hedgehog 3, is set to premiere in cinemas.

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2024-10-10 15:24