Forget Sonic, SEGA's Classic Arcade Shinobi Series Headed for Hollywood

Joe Musashi, coming to a cinema near you

by · Push Square

One of SEGA's more overlooked mascots (with Sonic and Alex the Kidd getting all the attention), Joe Musashi, it seems, will get his shot at the big time. The Shinobi series, which began way back in 1987, is officially getting a film adaptation to be directed by Sam Hargrave for Universal, according to Deadline.

Following the successful mining of the Sonic franchise, it's not surprising to see SEGA go back to the well. Hargrave gained renown in collaboration with the Russo brothers, serving as stunt director on major Marvel films and directing the Extraction series of Netflix films starring Chris Hemsworth.

The Shinobi series, which spans 14 video games, was released across an eclectic mix of what are now considered retro platforms and is confusing to follow. Capitalising on the popularity of ninjas in America in the late 80s, it followed the exploits of Joe Musashi, who fought against the shadowy ninja clan called Zeed, which schemed to return Japan to a Sengoku-style period of civil strife in which shinobi thrived.

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Would you be up for a Shinobi film adaptation? Were you a fan of the Sonic movies? Pitch your dream SEGA production in the comments section below.

[source deadline.com]

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About Khayl Adam

Khayl Adam is Push Square's roving Australian correspondent, a reporter tasked with scouring the internet for the richest, most succulent PlayStation stories. With five years of experience as a freelance journalist and mercenary wordsmith, RPGs are his first great love, but strategy and tactics games are a close second, genres in which he is only too happy to specialize.

Comments 13

Very excited that something is happening with this underrated franchise. Especially the genesis and PS2 outings (including the female counterpart kunoichi) are fantastic games.
Just hope the movie won't end up like some Michael Dudikoff-esque schlock.

Ohh man... Hollywood is on its knees again... After age of remakes, age of prequels and age of marvel comes age of games...

I used to play The Revenge of Shinobi on the Sega Mega Drive so often when I was a kid so naturally I would watch a movie adaptation in a heartbeat.

I would love a very faithful remake of GG shinobi for modern consoles.

I mean I'd take a straight port in a collection to be honest but this game is so good modern graphics and a proper rise in resolution would bring it to a whole new audience.

Oh and I'm backing the movie to be awful...

As a longtime Shinobi fans, i feel quite excited but also worried that they could mess up the movie.

But while we're waiting for a new Shinobi game and movie, it would be awesome if Sega make an HD collection for all 14 Shinobi games. Heck, i would take Shinobi + Nightshade (Kunoichi) remaster.

I played a Megadrive Shinobi game the other day for the 1st time. Couldnt get off the first level 😂

Revenge of Shinobi on the Megadrive was s-tier

Well that is all a bit low key with PS5 Pro preorders for general stores release today in the UK.

For those that wish Argos UK have preorders up.
Can’t see anything for Game UK or Smyths Toys.

Though Smyths Toys last week told me they not sure they even getting any yet, waiting to here from Sony.

@djlard and the age of “pro enhanced” lol

Correction Smyths Toys UK have PS5 Pro preorders up, just hard to find.

Can't help but feel Sega is getting over their heads with all these non-Sonic gaming movie announcements lately.

That said I’m cautiously more positive towards this news piece, as Shinobi is atleast relatively better known (within the gaming space), compared to Eternal Champions (which is a nobody) and the movie adaptation news for it a few months back.

How about a brand new 3d shinobi.the ps2 shinobi game is really good.and with all those samurai games its the best time to make a comeback.word up son

@colonelkilgore The "S" stands for Shinobi

Yeah as loose as the Shinobi lore is, it's pretty much an open canvas for any kind of movie plot, but I think what would definitely get me to go on day one would be if they roped in Yuzo Koshiro to do the soundtrack.

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