Sega has become synonymous with their Sonic the Hedgehog franchise. It has become their tentpole franchise even as the game’s quality has not been consistent. The character is so popular he got his own film back in February. While it didn’t have much competition, the film was a big hit and Sega is looking into future ventures on the silver screen. There is one franchise that is perfect for a live-action adaptation and that is Yakuza. In Japan, the series is better known as Ryū ga Gotoku, which means Like a Dragon.
The 2005 franchise consists of seven main titles with various spin-offs. It follows the story of Kazuma Kiryu, a small-time member of the Dojima family. He takes the fall for the murder of the family’s patriarch and lands in prison for 10 years. 1212 Entertainment and Wild Sheep will be developing the live-action adaptation. They gave the following statement on the film’s production.
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.
It makes sense with the franchise becoming a bestselling hit worldwide. Erik Barmack, Roberto Grande, and Joshua Long are attached as producers. Barmack pointed out that they will make use of their background in global storytelling. You can’t make a film about Yakuza without filming it in Japan to bring Kamurocho to life. The location is a fictionalized version of the real-world’s Kabukichō in Tokyo. It will be interesting to see who they attach as director. The franchise has its roots in Yakuza gang. dramas. The Outrage series could be a big influence on the film. It would be a dream if they get Takeshi Kitano involved with the project, who just finished the Outrage trilogy a few years ago.
Source: Variety
