Image: Sega
2022 continues to feature headlines that appear to have been created by a rogue AI learning how to play Mad Libs. Today’s example: Following the continued success of the Sonic films, it has been reported that Sega and dj2 Entertainment are working with the author of John Wick on a film adaptation of the Sega classic, Streets of Rage.
Today, Deadline reported that the next Sega video game to hit theaters via a film adaptation is ’90s Genesis hit Streets of Rage. Sega is reportedly once again working with dj2 Entertainment, the same production house behind the Sonic The Hedgehog films. The adaptation will be written by Derek Kolstad, creator of the John Wick franchise. According to Deadline’s sources, he wrote the screenplay “on spec,” which is Hollywood lingo for when a writer just writes something unsolicited and sends it to the studios. One wonders if Kolstad is a huge Sega fan.
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For those who might not have played the original game, Streets of Rage, which was originally released in 1991, has players who follow in the footsteps of Adam, Axel, or Blaze as three vigilante cops who work together to keep the town ahead avoid being overtaken by a dangerous criminal gang led by Mr. Big. To win the day, they punch and kick a lot while shuffling from one side of the screen to the other through eight levels.
After the success of the first game, two sequels were quickly released. However, after the controversial third game in 1994, the series mostly remained dormant for over two decades until Streets of Rage 4 was released in 2020. Now, after the success of both Sonic movies, Sega seems to be eyeing its one super-popular beat ’em up series for their next potential blockbuster hit.
As pointed out by Deadline, another John Wick graduate is currently working on his own video game adaptation. Chad Stahelski, the director of all three John Wick films, is directing a film based on the PlayStation-exclusive Ghost of Tsushima. This film was first announced in 2021.
Meanwhile, this is just one of many video game projects dj2 Entertainment is working on. The production company is also working on films based on Life Is Strange, It Takes Two, Sleeping Dogs and Disco Elysium. Oh, and a Teddy Ruxpin movie too I guess? weird stuff.
However, as video game TV shows like Arcane and movies like Sonic continue to thrive around the world, we’re likely to see even more movies and TV shows based on games announced in the coming months.