Shinobi Movie To Sneak Up On You

Smoke bombs at the ready for Sega's arcade ninja classic.

By Matt Holmes /

Sega

It's only taken 19 years but arcade classic Shinobi looks to have stealthily found its way to a movie adaptation.

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Sega's popular video game that centres on skilled ninja Joe Musashi looks set for a film adaptation with the news that producer Marc Platt (Bridge Of Spies, Scott Pilgrim vs The World) is teaming with SEGA Group and Hakuhodo DY Group to bring Shinobi to the big screen.

Reportedly, a movie adaptation has been designated as "high-priority" and although no story details are yet forthcoming, it seems likely it would follow the video game lore of a weak boy who through years of methodical and precise training becomes a skilled and deadly ninja and although peaceful in adulthood, is forced to fight to save his home when the crime syndicate Zeed rises to power, threatening Japan with a civil war.

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Producer Platt says;

€œWe love the Shinobi games and believe that the world of ninjas has never been properly explored onscreen. We now have the opportunity to do just that. With Shinobi, we hope to make a film that honors the essence of the games and brings this fascinating world to life for moviegoing audiences.€

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Shinobi isn't the only Sega property that this partnership is working on. Plans are afoot for the classic games Golden Axe, Altered Beast, Crazy Taxi and Virtua Fighter to also become live-action adaptations via feature films, tv series' and digital platform shows in English-language markets.