SHINOBI Movie in Development From SEGA and Producer Marc Platt

A live-action feature film based on the video game Shinobi is officially in the works.

Marc Platt, whose credits include the Broadway smash hit Wicked and movies like Bridge of Spies, Drive, Wanted, and Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, will produce. Platt had this to say in a statement:

“We love the Shinobi games and believe that the world of ninjas has never been properly explored onscreen. We now have the opportunity to do just that. With Shinobi, we hope to make a film that honors the essence of the games and brings this fascinating world to life for moviegoing audiences.”

Shinobi told the story of Joe Musashi, a child who started out weak but eventually worked his way up to become the most skilled ninja of the Oboro clan. Armed with his trusty shuriken (throwing knives), he faced off against a ninja crime syndicate called Zeed, who attempted to return Japan to a state of chaos in which they could thrive. Musashi was the protagonist of the first three games in the Shinobi series.

In 2014, SEGA announced that the company was interested in developing adaptations of Shinobi, Altered Beast, Streets of Rage, Virtua Fighter, Rise of Nightmares, Golden Axe, and Crazy Taxi, and we just received a press release that indicates Shinobi will be the first adaptation that makes it to the big screen. Stories International, SEGA's production branch, "is in the process of partnering with the major studios, producers and filmmakers to co-develop adaptations of these properties as English-language feature films, television and digital series for worldwide release." No word yet on writers, stars, a director, or a production start date, but it sounds like this is slowly moving forward. Which bland white guy do you think will ultimately be cast in the lead role?