SEGA Developing Movie Based on Yakuza Franchise with Production Company 1212 Entertainment
As reported today by Variety, SEGA is developing a live-action adaptation of the Yakuza series of games with 1212 Entertainment (“Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark”) and Wild Sheep Content. Erik Barmack (“Quicksand,” “Sacred Games” and “The Rain”), Roberto Grande and Joshua Long will produce and they are currently searching for script writers.
1212 told Variety: “Yakuza offers us a new playground in which to set compelling stories with complex characters in a unique environment that audiences have rarely seen before. The saga of Kazuma Kiryu has a built-in cinematic appeal – a mix of kinetic action with bursts of comedy, multiple converging storylines, and a gripping journey towards redemption.” Barmack of Wild Sheep Content added, “With our background in telling global stories, we are excited to bring this huge project to global platforms.”
Yakuza fans should remember that this is not the first time the franchise saw a film. In 2007 “Like A Dragon” released to Japanese cinemas, loosly adapting the first game. The film saw an international release on DVD.