‘Shinobi’ Movie in the Works Based on Sega’s Long-Running Video Game Series

Video game adaptations are traditionally…not good. That may change when Assassin’s Creed arrives in theaters this December, but there’s still a healthy amount of cynicism when another adaptation is announced. The latest title hoping to make the transition from your living room to the big screen is Shinobi, Sega’s long-running, ninja-centric video game series.

What gives us at least some optimism is the involvement of Marc Platt, producer of films like Drive, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World and more recently, Steven Spielberg’s Bridge of Spies. According to Deadline, Platt and his production banner are teaming up with Sega and Hakuhodo DY Group to develop a film based on Shinobi.

Shinobi debuted as an arcade game back in 1987 before eventually moving to consoles and spawning a dozen sequels. The game centers on Joe Musashi, whose origin story tells of a weak boy who enters a dojo and, through relentless dedication and patience, becomes a ninja. When a nefarious ninja syndicate emerges to try and restore Japan to its civil war era, Musashi must leave his peaceful life in the mountains and put his training to the test.

It should also be noted that Stories International is developing english-language film, TV and digital projects based on Sega’s other popular titles, including Crazy Taxi, Golden Axe and Virtua Fighter, among others. We may very well be on the verge of a Sega-pocalypse.