Per Deadline, Sony and Playstation Pictures are developing a film adaptation of hugely successful action adventure game, Ghost Of Tsushima. The game has sold over 6.5 million copies since its July 2020 debut. Chad Stahelski, who has directed all three John Wick movies, is on board to direct.
The game revolves around samurai warrior Jin Sakai, the last surviving member of his clan who must set aside the traditions that have shaped him as a warrior to wage an unconventional war for the freedom of Tsushima. The game was one of the top nominees at the Game Awards 2020, up for Game of the Year, Best Game Direction, Best Narrative, and Best Performer for Daisuke Tsuji.
Asad Qizilbash, Head of PlayStation Productions, said in a statement: “We’re excited to be partnering with Chad and 87Eleven Entertainment, to bring their vision of Jin’s story to the big screen. We love working with creative partners like Chad, who have a passion for our games, ensuring we can create rich adaptations that will excite our fans and new audiences”.
Although movie adaptations of video games haven’t had the greatest run the past, recent films such as Detective Pikachu and Sonic The Hedgehog have been successful at the box office. Obviously those games and movies are not that similar to Ghost Of Tsushima, but they’re at least helping remove the stigma of “video game adaptation” from those in charge of Hollywood studios.
This is actually the second film to come out of the partnership between Sony Pictures and PlayStation Productions, as the adaptation of Uncharted is currently in post-production. The success of that film could be big for a lot of other potential video game adaptations. That’s currently set for a February 11, 2022 release.
Sony Pictures Television and PlayStation Productions are also developing a TV adaptation of The Last Of Us for HBO, which Chernobyl creator Craig Mazin is attached to write.
Ghost Of Tsushima has the narrative to work as a film adaptation, and judging by its sales, it probably has the fanbase to help it out at the box office. Getting Stahelski on board to direct is also a huge coup, as his work on John Wick shows that he’ll be perfect for the samurai combat the game revolves around. He’s currently working on John Wick 4.
#Peace.Love.GhostOfTsushima
