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Sydney Sweeney's upcoming video game movie with Wicked director Jon M. Chu will officially be distributed by Amazon MGM Studios. Deadpool & Wolverine's Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick will pen the script.

Variety confirmed that the Split Fiction film adaptation starring Sweeney will go to Amazon MGM. Based on the game developed by Hazelight Studios, Split Fiction stars two writers named Mio and Zoe who are trapped in the world of their own stories when connected to a machine that was designed to steal their creative ideas. It remains to be seen which of the two protagonists Sweeney will star as, and the production is "actively looking" to cast the other starring role.

Split Fiction's film was first announced when it started a bidding war among top Hollywood Studios at the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco this March, mere weeks after the game went on sale. The title proved...

Amazon MGM Studios is in talks to acquire the feature adaptation of Split Fiction starring Sydney Sweeney.

The package has Jon M. Chu attached to helm the movie based on the video game of the same name. Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick are writing the screenplay.

Producers include Chu, Mike Goldberg and Dmitri M. Johnson. Sweeney is set to executive produce.

The game Split Fiction hails from Hazelight Studios and Electronic Arts and debuted in March. Designed for split-screen play, it centers on authors Mio and Zoe, who get trapped in the world of their creations. Sweeney’s role has not yet been announced.

Last month, Hazelight Studios’ Instagram account celebrated the game having sold four million copies. “So many of you have picked up Split Fiction already, it’s amazing,” read the post. “Seeing the fun you have with our game and the love you show for Mio, Zoe...

A film adaptation of hit video game “Split Fiction” starring Sydney Sweeney and directed by Jon M. Chu has landed at Amazon MGM Studios, Variety has confirmed.

As Variety first reported last month, along with the news of Sweeney’s casting and Chu directing, the script for the movie is being written by “Deadpool & Wolverine” screenwriters Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick.

From developer Hazelight Studios and publisher Electronic Arts, “Split Fiction” blends fantasy and science fiction, following a pair of authors, Mio and Zoe, who become trapped in the worlds they wrote. Written by director and Hazelight studio chief Josef Fares and Sebastian Johansson, “Split Fiction” is a co-op adventure game that features gameplay mechanics involving split-screen combat, platforming challenges and differing abilities for each character.

The “Split Fiction” film will be produced by Mike Goldberg and Dmitri M. Johnson’s Story Kitchen (formerly dj2 Entertainment) and Chu’s Electric Somewhere.

A good portion of Paul W.S. Anderson’s filmmaking career has consisted of video game adaptations, with his writing and/or directing credits including Mortal Kombat (1995), Monster Hunter, and six Resident Evil movies. Next up for him is a film version of the Sega game The House of the Dead. Originally released in 1997, The House of the Dead spawned a franchise that includes several sequels and spin-offs, as well as a remake. Uwe Boll directed a film adaptation back in 2003, and that received a sequel in 2005 that was directed by Michael Hurst. Now, Anderson is plotting an adaptation that he promises will be “very, very scary.”

In the game, players take on the role of Ams agents, a government agency tasked with thwarting the conspiracies of organizations that threaten the world. The title comes from the bureau they work for, because their life expectancies are brief. Anderson is producing the...

John Wick director Chad Stahelski has found his next revenge action movie in the form of Sifu, the upcoming adaptation of the hit video game from Slocap. This comes after three years since the original beat 'em up game was first released for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Windows.

Per Deadline, Stahelski has officially signed on to produce the Sifu movie under his production banner 87Eleven Entertainment. The stuntman-turned-filmmaker is best known for directing all four movies of the Keanu Reeves-led action thriller franchise, including 2023’s John Wick: Chapter 4. Stahelski is no stranger to video game adaptations, after previously serving as a second-unit director in 2015’s Hitman: Agent 47 movie. Besides Sifu, he is also currently attached to helm and produce Sony Pictures’ Ghost of Tsushima movie, based on the 2020 action-adventure game from Sucker Punch Productions.

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Chad Stahelski is keeping busy with his video game adaptations, as a new report from Deadline has revealed that the John Wick director will be producing a Netflix adaptation of the video game Sifu, which was developed and published by Sloclap and released in 2022. The game is a beat-em-up with challenging combat scenarios and a compelling thematic twist based on a game mechanic that causes players to age up whenever they lose a fight. The mechanic requires careful strategy, as when the player's character ages, they are given access to new powerful moves, but if they get too old, they can die permanently and will have to start the game from the beginning.

Sifu combines elements of time-loop and rogue-like games to create a stunning and addictive fighting game. Its story of revenge can make for an interesting feature film. 87Eleven, Stahelski's production company behind projects such as Atomic Blonde and The Fall Guy,...

Picture: Sifu (left) and John Wick director Chad Stahelski

Netflix is developing a live-action adaptation of the popular indie video game Sifu, with John Wick franchise director Chad Stahelski producing. Details are limited, but here’s everything we know so far.

Produced by game developer Sloclap, the beat ’em up video game Sifu was released in 2022 and sold over 3 million copies by February 2024. As reported by Deadline, John Wick director Chad Stahelski has joined the project as a producer with partners Jason Spritz and Alex Young through their 87Eleven Entertainment banner. They join Story Kitchen producers Mike Goldberg and Dmitri M. Johnson.

Stahelski directed all four John Wick movies, and his production company 87Eleven Entertainment is also working on several other projects, including Ghost of Tsushima for Sony, Highlander for Lionsgate, and the adaptation of Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six.

Picture: Chad Stahelski

Slocap’s Jordan Layani, Pierre Tarno, Jeff Ludwig,...

The video game Sifu from developers Slocap is an unforgiving test of endurance and Netflix is now bringing the popular title to life. This will actually not be the first time the game is adapted into a narrative project as the Prime Video anthology series Secret Level drew upon numerous video game titles for their episodes and Sifu is included amongst them. However, the Sifu segment in Secret Level was done in a style that’s very faithful to the animation look of the video game. Netflix’s movie will be a full-on live-action adaptation.

The story of the game, per Deadline, “tells a story of revenge set in modern-day China. It follows the student of a martial arts school’s master (Sifu) as he seeks to avenge the murder of his mentor. The twist, however, is that thanks to a magical talisman, each time our hero dies, he’s resurrected,...

Exclusive: Netflix has come aboard the feature adaptation of Slocap’s popular video game Sifu and tapped T.S. Nowlin to write the script. Insiders add that Chad Stahelski and his 87Eleven Entertainment banner have joined Story Kitchen as producers, and he will now produce with his partners Jason Spritz and Alex Young, as will Dmitri M. Johnson and Mike Goldberg for Story Kitchen.

The video game developed and published by Sloclap tells a story of revenge set in modern-day China. It follows the student of a martial arts school’s master (Sifu) as he seeks to avenge the murder of his mentor. The twist, however, is that thanks to a magical talisman, each time our hero dies, he’s resurrected, but the price paid is that he ages with every use. And should he become too old too fast, his death shall become permanent, and his quest unfulfilled.

Timothy I. Stevenson...

The Just Cause series is one of the best franchises ever made by Square Enix and Hollywood is finally bringing our all-time favorite Latino to the big screen.

Just Cause is finally coming to the big screen | Image Credits: Square Enix

After numerous reports since 2010, Just Cause is finally getting a film adaptation. But who are the people behind it? and will they be able to keep up with our expectations? Let’s find out.

Who is bringing Just Cause to the cinemas? Who will be the producers of the Just Cause movie? | Image Credits: Square Enix

Just Cause is a franchise that took the world by storm when the first game debuted in 2006. The game featured Rico Rodriguez a.k.a The Scorpion who just brought three things to the table, a parachute, a grapple to zipline himself with, and Guns. Lots Of Guns.

The mixture of ziplining through...

A major update has been revealed for the upcoming feature film based on the video game Just Cause. After previously landing a director, the project has now found its screenwriter.

Per The Wrap, Aaron Rabin has signed on to write the script for the Just Cause movie, which is in the works at Universal Pictures. Previously, it was announced that Angel Manuel Soto (Blue Beetle) would be at the helm for the project. Kelly McCormick and David Leitch are producing, while other producers include Story Kitchen's Dmitri M. Johnson, Mike Goldberg, and Timothy I. Stevenon. Dan Jevons is executive producing.

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Rabin is known in part for serving as a writer on the hit TV series Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan.

Aaron Rabin is set to write Universal Pictures’ film adaptation of Square Enix and Avalanche Studio’s bestselling video game franchise, ”Just Cause,” TheWrap has exclusively learned.

“Blue Beetle” director Ángel Manuel Soto, who just wrapped production on Amazon MGM’s “The Wrecking Crew,” is attached to direct.

Kelly McCormick and David Leitch, producers of action films “The Fall Guy,” “Bullet Train,” “Nobody” and “Violent Night,” will produce through 87North’s first-look deal with Universal.

The team behind “Tomb Raider” and Paramount’s “Sonic the Hedgehog” will also be producing via Story Kitchen’s Dmitri M. Johnson, Mike Goldberg and Timothy I. Stevenson, with Dan Jevons executive producing.

Debuting in 2006, the video game series follows the adventures of Rico Rodriguez, an operative for a fictional U.S. covert agency sent to destabilize and overthrow oppressive regimes. “Just Cause” is well regarded for its wide-open sandbox environments, over-the-top action and humor.

A live-action film adaptation of the video game “Clair Obscur: Expedition 33” is in the works before the game even launches.

Variety has learned exclusively that game developer Sandfall Interactive is teaming with Story Kitchen to develop a film version of the game, which will be published by Kepler Interactive. The game is due to be released on April 24 on Xbox, Playstation, PC, Steam, and Epic. It was recently showcased on Xbox Developer Direct and was featured on DualShockers’ Top 10 Most Anticipated Indie Games of 2025 as well as the cover of “PC Gamer” and “Edge Magazine.”

“We’re thrilled to collaborate with Sandfall Interactive to bring the rich, immersive world of ‘Expedition 33’ to the big screen,” said Story Kitchen founders Dmitri M. Johnson & Mike Goldberg. “The game’s compelling narrative and complex characters provide a solid foundation for a cinematic experience that will resonate with both gamers and moviegoers alike.”

“Clair...

Sega's The House of the Dead arcade games have had their time on the silver screen in the past, specifically with director Uwe Boll's 2003 effort. Now it's time to take another shot with the announcement that Sega has tapped Resident Evil film series architect Paul W.S. Anderson to bring the games back to cinemas in a new motion picture project. Anderson will write and direct The House of the Dead , and will also produce alongside producing partner Jeremy Bolt. Story Kitchen's Dmitri M. Johnson, Mike Goldberg and Dan Jevons are producing, as well, and on Sega's end Toru Nakahara is on board as producer. Timothy I. Stevenson is an executive producer on the project. In the video game adaptation space, Paul W.S. Anderson is known for more than just Resident Evil . He also directed 2020's Monster Hunter and the cult classic movie adaptation of Mortal Kombat...

A good portion of Paul W.S. Anderson’s filmmaking career has consisted of video game adaptation, with his writing and/or directing credits including Mortal Kombat (1995), Monster Hunter, and six Resident Evil movies. Now, Deadline reports that Anderson is adding another video game adaptation to his filmography, as he is set to write and direct a film version of the Sega game The House of the Dead. Originally released in 1997, The House of the Dead spawned a franchise that includes several sequels and spin-offs, as well as a remake. Uwe Boll directed a film adaptation back in 2003, and that received a sequel in 2005 that was directed by Michael Hurst.

In the game, players take on the role of Ams agents, a government agency tasked with thwarting the conspiracies of organizations that threaten the world. The title comes from the bureau they work for, because their life expectancies are brief. Anderson...

After an infamously disastrous version in the early 2000s, House of the Dead is getting a second chance at an adaptation from Paul W.S. Anderson. The Sega action-horror franchise puts players in the shoes of a variety of protagonists as they make their way through a house full of zombie-like creatures, utilizing an on-rails system to keep the player moving through each level. House of the Dead was previously adapted by Uwe Boll in 2003, but is regarded as one of the worst movies of all-time, holding a 3% approval rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes.

Deadline has brought word that Anderson is teaming with Sega for an adaptation of House of the Dead. The filmmaker of Resident Evil fame will be writing, directing and producing it alongside his partner Jeremy Bolt, Sega's Toru Nakahara, Story Kitchen's Dmitri M. Johnson, Mike Goldberg and Dan Jevons, while Timothy I. Stevenson will executive produce.

A new take on Sega's House of the Dead is in the works with Paul W.S. Anderson, the filmmaker behind the financially successful Resident Evil movie series. The news comes 21 years after the first House of the Dead feature film adaptation was met with universal criticism upon release.

Per Deadline, Anderson is set to write and direct a new feature film based on House of the Dead, the Sega-owned video game franchise. Anderson is also going to produce alongside producing partner Jeremy Bolt, with whom he previously collaborated on Mortal Kombat, Resident Evil, and Monster Hunter adaptations. Sega's Toru Nakahara is also producing alongside Story Kitchen's Dmitri M. Johnson, Mike Goldberg, and Dan Jevons. Timothy I. Stevenson will be on board as an executive producer.

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Exclusive: Paul W.S. Anderson will write and direct The House of the Dead, an action-packed feature based on the legacy Sega franchise.

Anderson will produce alongside his partner Jeremy Bolt, Sega’s Toru Nakahara will produce along with Story Kitchen’s Dmitri M. Johnson, Mike Goldberg and Dan Jevons. Timothy I. Stevenson will be executive producer.

Anderson and Bolt have brought several game franchises to the screen successfully, including Mortal Kombat, the Resident Evil franchise, and most recently Monster Hunter.

The House of the Dead debuted in 1996 as an “on-rails shooter” game, fast-paced action/horror with a groundbreaking zombie premise. That included the innovation of giving its undead villains the ability to run, something that inspired films from Zack Snyder’s Dawn of the Dead remake and Marc Forster-directed World War Z. It was The House of the Dead that first evolved the flesh-eaters from the lumbering stumblers that...

Universal Pictures finally found the filmmaker who will direct its upcoming live-action film adaptation of Segas ninja video game series Shinobi. The project comes following the back-to-back commercial and critical success of The Super Mario Bros. Movie and Five Nights at Freddys, which were both released by Universal last year.

Per Deadline, Extraction director Sam Hargrave has signed on to helm the Shinobi movie for Universal Pictures. Shinobi is a hack-and-slash video game series launched by Sega in 1987. It centers around a modern-day ninja named Joe Musashi, who fights against great evil. Before making his feature-length directorial debut with Netflixs 2020 action movie, Hargrave was best known as the stunt coordinator in a number of high-profile movies such as The Hunger Games franchise, Atomic Blonde, Captain America: Civil War, Deadpool 2, and Avengers: Endgame.

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Extraction director Sam Hargrave is developing an adaptation of Sega's Shinobi video game franchise. First released as an arcade game in 1987, Shinobi sits in the hack-and-slash genre, with Joe Musashi serving as the franchise's main character in numerous installments. The overarching storyline of many of the games sees Joe facing off against Zeed, an evil ninja crime syndicate. There are now 12 Shinobi games in total, with a thirteenth on the way.

Now, Universal Pictures reveals that they're partnering with Sega to bring a Shinobi movie to life. Hargrave, who directed both Extraction (2020) and Extraction 2 (2023), is attached to direct the project, with Ken Kobayashi (Sunny) set to write the screenplay.

Marc Platt and Adam Siegel will produce the film through Marc Platt Productions, while Dmitri M. Johnson will produce for Story Kitchen. For Sega, Toru Nakahara will produce. Mike Goldberg will executive produce the Shinobi film, with Timothy I. Stevenson co-producing.

Sega and Paramount hit it big with the Sonic the Hedgehog movie series, and now the game company is teaming up with Universal to bring another classic game to the screen. This time the series in question is Shinobi and the partnership is with Universal, which has a live-action film in the works.  Side-scrolling action game series Shinobi series first started in arcades back in 1987 and has seen a number of sequels, spinoffs and revivals in the decades since, including an awesome, tough-as-nails 3D PS2 entry in 2002. Sam Hargrave ( Extraction series) is currently lined up to direct the live-action film, with Ken Kobayashi handing the screenplay.  Producers include Marc Platt and Adam Siegel of Marc Platt Productions, Dmitri M. Johnson of Story Kitchen and Toru Nakahara of Sega. Mike Goldberg is executive producer alongside co-producer Timothy I. Stevenson. Related: Ninja Slayer Side-Scrolling Action Game Hits Steam in Summer 2024 Beyond that,...

Sega is once again getting busy with its IPs, announcing a collaboration with Universal Pictures to develop a film adaptation based on their classic Shinobi franchise.

The movie will be directed by Sam Hargrave (Extraction franchise), with Ken Kobayashi adapting the screenplay Marc Platt and Adam Siegel will produce the film through Marc Platt Productions. Dmitri M. Johnson will produce through Story Kitchen, while Toru Nakahara will produce through Sega. Mike Goldberg will serve as executive producer alongside Timothy I. Stevenson, who is co-producing.

Details on the adaptation are still to come, but the basis of the Shinobi franchise started way back in 1987 in the arcades, where players assumed the role of Joe Musashi, a modern-day ninja who is out to stop the Zeed terrorist organization from kidnapping students of his clan. The success of the arcade game led to multiple entries in the series spanning multiple platforms, dabbling in...

Universal Pictures has tapped Extraction director Sam Hargrave to helm Shinobi, a movie adaptation of the video game franchise created by Sega.

Plot details are being kept under wraps, but the original Shinobi game featured Joe Musashi as a modern-day ninja who confronts great evil. Ken Kobayashi (Sunny) is writing the script for the Shinobi movie, which will be produced by Marc Platt and Adam Siegel through Marc Platt Production. Dmitri M. Johnson will produce through Story Kitchen, with Toru Nakahara producing through Sega. Mike Goldberg will executive produce alongside co-producer Timothy I. Stevenson.

The original Shinobi arcade game was released in 1987. The franchise has grown to include over a dozen games, with the latest announced at last year’s Game Awards. Universal already has a couple of successful video game movies under its belt, including The Super Mario Bros. Movie (which grossed $1.35 billion) and Five Nights at Freddy’s (which...

Universal Pictures is turning the Sega video game “Shinobi” into a feature film.

The studio has enlisted “Extraction” filmmaker Sam Hargrave and producer Marc Platt to adapt the hack-and-slash series for the big screen.

Plot details haven’t been confirmed but “Shinobi” follows protagonist Joe Musashi as a modern-day ninja who confronts evil. It debuted in 1987 as an arcade game and has evolved into a franchise that spans 14 sequels with over five million copies sold to date.

Universal has enjoyed recent success with video game adaptations, “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” ($1.4 billion) and “Five Nights at Freddy’s” ($290 million). Meanwhile, Sega has scored with Paramount’s 2020 console-to-screen redux “Sonic the Hedgehog” ($319 million) and the 2022 sequel ($405 million). A third “Sonic” movie will be released in late 2024.

Ken Kobayashi is writing the screenplay for “Shinobi.” Platt and Adam Siegel will produce through Marc Platt Productions. Dmitri M. Johnson will produce through Story Kitchen.

The “Sonic the Hedgehog” movies have become some of the most lucrative video game adaptations in Hollywood history, proving that Sega characters can be major draws at the box office. And while the franchise is still going strong — Jim Carrey is coming out of retirement to reprise his role as Dr. Robotnik in the upcoming third film — gamers clamoring to see more non-hedgehog properties from the Sega canon on the big screen are in for a treat. The iconic video game company is teaming up with Universal Pictures on a film adaptation of “Shinobi,” the ninja game that has delighted arcade goers for nearly four decades, IndieWire has learned.

The “Shinobi” film will be directed by Sam Hargraves, who is best known for directing “Extraction” and “Extraction 2” for Netflix. Ken Kobayashi will write the script. No casting details or release date have been announced.

Per a press release, Marc Platt...

Extraction filmmaker Sam Hargrave is getting into the video game business. The director is attached to helm Universal’s Shinobi, an adaptation of the Sega game series that seems tailor-made to his action strengths.

The game debuted in 1987 in arcades, and focused on modern-day ninja Joe Musashi, a man who confronts great evil. Hargrave is a stuntman who transitioned into becoming an in-demand director with the Netflix Extraction movies, which were praised for their inventive and visceral action, making it easy to imagine him unsheathing the sword for this property.

Shinobi has spawned 14 games, selling a combined 5 million copies, with a new installment in development.

Universal has found gold in the gaming space, with The Super Mario Bros. Movie topping $1.4 billion globally, and Blumhouse’s Five Nights at Freddy‘s passing $290 million globally, an impressive sum considering it debuted day-and-date on streaming service Peacock. Sega, meanwhile, has found success with...

Universal Pictures and Sega Corporation are teaming up on a feature film adaptation of the video game franchise “Shinobi,” the companies announced on Tuesday. Sam Hargrave, the filmmaker behind Netflix’s “Extraction” films, is attached to direct the “Shinobi” movie from a screenplay by Ken Kobayashi (“Sunny”).

The “Shinobi” series first debuted in 1987 as an arcade game and follows protagonist Joe Musashi as a modern-day ninja who confronts great evil. The franchise spans 14 games, including spinoffs, and ports, with over 5 million copies sold worldwide. A new entry in the series was revealed in late 2023.

The film comes on the heels of Universal’s video game adaptation success with “The Super Mario Bros. Movie,” which grossed over $1.4 billion at the box office, and hit “Five Nights at Freddy’s” which made $290 million on a budget of just $20 million. Universal is also developing an adaptation of the video game “Ruiner” with “Planet of the Apes” director Wes Ball.

It’s not just all about Sonic the Hedgehog. Another Sega video game franchise, Shinobi, is heading to the big screen, with Sam Hargrave directing for Universal.

Ken Kobayashi is writing the screenplay adaptation of the arcade game, which first debuted in 1987. That edgy game followed Joe Musashi, a modern-day ninja who confronts great evil. Shinobi spawned 14 games include spinoffs and ports for a total 5 million copies sold around the globe. A new entry in the series was revealed in late 2023.

Marc Platt and Adam Siegel will produce the movie through Marc Platt Productions alongside Dmitri M. Johnson through Story Kitchen and Toru Nakahara for Sega. Mike Goldberg will executive produce alongside Timothy I. Stevenson, who is co-producing.

The pic follows Universal’s 2023 video game adaptation success with Illumination and Nintendo’s The Super Mario Bros. Movie and Blumhouse’s Five Nights at Freddy’s, which minted over $1.4 billion and $290 million,...

Universal Pictures has announced that they’ve recruited Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes director Wes Ball to helm an adaptation of Reikon Games’ brutal cyberpunk shooter, Ruiner. In addition to Ball directing, Turistas writer Michael Arlen Ross has joined the project to write the screenplay.

As reported by The Hollywood Reporter, on top of directing duties, Ball will be producer, alongside Dmitri M. Johnson, Mike Goldberg, and Joe Hartwick Jr. Meanwhile, Timothy I. Stevenson, Dan Jevons, Marek Roefler, Magdalena Tomkowicz, and Jakub Stylinski will executive produce. Universal Pictures’ senior VP of production development Ryan Jones will oversee the project for Universal with creative executive of production development Jacqueline Garell.

Bullet Train and Nobody producers Kelly McCormick and David Leitch will produce Ruiner through 87North’s first look-deal with Universal Pictures.

Released to Steam, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in 2017 (and the Nintendo Switch in 2020), Ruiner takes place in the...

‘Maze Runner’ and ‘Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes’ filmmaker Wes Ball has been set to take the helm of the video game adaptation of ‘Ruiner’ at Universal.

An action shooter set in the year 2091 in the cyber metropolis Rengkok. The game follows a wired psychopath who fights against a corrupt system to uncover the truth and retrieve his kidnapped brother. Under the guidance of a mysterious hacker, he battles through a world of brutal violence and cutting-edge technology, inching closer to the dark secrets hidden within the city’s neon-lit streets.

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Michael Arlen Ross (Locked) will adapt the screenplay for the film, produced by 87North, Story Kitchen and Oddball. Kelly McCormick and David Leitch, will produce through 87North’s first look deal with Universal Pictures. Story Kitchen’s Dmitri M. Johnson and Mike Goldberg,...

Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes director Wes Ball is already set to direct The Legend of Zelda movie, but has now added another video game adaptation to his already busy schedule.

Per The Hollywood Reporter, Ball has been tapped to direct a feature adaptation of Reikon's Ruiner, a cyberpunk shooter video game, for Universal Pictures. Michael Arlen Ross, known for the horror film Oracle, is set to pen the screenplay. Ball, Dmitri M. Johnson, Mike Goldberg, and Joe Hartwick Jr. are set to produce, while Timothy I. Stevenson, Dan Jevons, Marek Roefler, Magdalena Tomkowicz, and Jakub Stylinski will serve as executive producers. Ruiner "is set in the year 2091 in the cyber metropolis Rengkok, and follows a wired psychopath who fights against a corrupt system to uncover the truth and retrieve his kidnapped brother." Ruiner is described as a twin-stick shooter and was released on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch,...

Universal Pictures is setting its crosshairs on Reikon’s Ruiner video game for a silver-screen adaptation, with Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes and Maze Runner franchise director Wes Ball getting behind the camera. Developed by Reikon Games and published by Devolver Digital, Ruiner is a brutal top-down action shooter set in 2091 in the cyber metropolis Rengkok. In Ruiner, a wired psychopath lashes out against a corrupt system to uncover the truth and retrieve his kidnapped brother under the guidance of a secretive hacker friend.

Universal’s Ruiner film project has some serious firepower behind it, with Kelly McCormick and David Leitch producing through 87North. Other producers include Story Kitchen’s Dmitri M. Johnson and Mike Goldberg, with Timothy I. Stevenson and Dan Jevons acting as executive producers. Ball and Joe Hartwick Jr. will produce through Oddball. Marek Roefler, Magdalena Tomkowicz, and Jakub Stylinski will executive produce through Reikon.

Universal Pictures has picked up the rights to adapt Reikon’s video game Ruiner with Wes Ball attached to direct of Michael Arlen Ross’ screenplay.

Kelly McCormick and David Leitch, producers of The Fall Guy, Bullet Train, and Nobody, will produce through 87North’s first look-deal with Universal Pictures.

The team behind Tomb Raider (Amazon MGM Studios and Netflix) as well as Paramount’s Sonic the Hedgehog, will also be producing via Story Kitchen’s Dmitri M. Johnson and Mike Goldberg, with Timothy I. Stevenson and Dan Jevons serving as EPs. Ball and Joe Hartwick Jr. will produce through Oddball. Marek Roefler, Magdalena Tomkowicz, and Jakub Stylinski will executive produce through Reikon.

Ruiner counts north of 4 million players and 90% positive reviews on Steam. The videogame is an action shooter set in the year 2091 in the cyber metropolis Rengkok. The game follows a wired psychopath who fights against a corrupt system...

“Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” director Wes Ball is set to adapt the hit video game “Ruiner” for Universal Pictures, with David Leitch producing through the studio’s first-look deal with his action film company 87North.

Developed by Reikon Games and published by Devolver Digital in 2017, “Ruiner” is an isometric shooter set in the year 2091 in the cyberpunk metropolis Rengkok. The game follows a wired psychopath who fights against a corrupt system to uncover the truth and retrieve his kidnapped brother. Under the guidance of a mysterious hacker, he battles through a world of brutal violence and cutting-edge technology, inching closer to the dark secrets hidden within the city’s neon-lit streets.

Michael Arlen Ross (“Locked”) will write the screenplay. Leitch and Kelly McCormick, who previously produced “The Fall Guy,” “Bullet Train” and “Nobody,” among other films, will produce through 87North.

Dmitri M. Johnson and Mike Goldberg, producers...

Universal Pictures has acquired the rights to adapt Reikon’s hit video game “Ruiner,” with Wes Ball attached to direct.

Michael Arlen Ross (“Locked”) will adapt the screenplay for the film, produced by 87North, Story Kitchen and Oddball.

With over 4 million players and 90% positive reviews on Steam, “Ruiner” is an action shooter set in the year 2091 in the cyber metropolis Rengkok. As its official synopsis explains, “the game follows a wired psychopath who fights against a corrupt system to uncover the truth and retrieve his kidnapped brother. Under the guidance of a mysterious hacker, he battles through a world of brutal violence and cutting-edge technology, inching closer to the dark secrets hidden within the city’s neon-lit streets.”

Kelly McCormick and David Leitch, will produce through 87North’s first look-deal with Universal Pictures. Also producing are the team behind “Tomb Raider” (for Amazon MGM Studios and Netflix) and Paramount’s...

Wes Ball is set to direct an adaptation of Reikon’s popular video game Ruiner for Universal Pictures, with Michael Arlen Ross on board to pen a screenplay.

Universal Pictures picked up the adaptation rights for the action shooter game, and tapped Ball, whose credits include Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes and the Maze Runner trilogy to direct. The Ruiner video game is set in the year 2091 in the cyber metropolis Rengkok, and follows a wired psychopath who fights against a corrupt system to uncover the truth and retrieve his kidnapped brother.

Guided by a mysterious hacker, the action shooter battles through a world of brutal violence and cutting-edge technology, inching closer to the dark secrets hidden within the city’s neon-lit streets.

Ball has a packed slate. In addition to the potential of another Apes movie, he is attached to direct the high-profile The Legend of Zelda...

Just Cause movie adaptation finally moving forward after decade-long development. Universal Pictures secures producing partners and director for Just Cause video game adaptation, banking on success of previous video game movie hits. Video game adaptations gaining traction at the box office, with Just Cause joining the ranks of successful game-to-film projects.

Another popular video game franchise is headed to the big screen! Just Cause, the action-adventure video game series, has landed at Universal Pictures after being in development hell for a decade. With the project finally moving forward, the studio hopes to replicate the massive success they had with The Super Mario Bros. Movie and Five Nights at Freddy's, which cleared $1.4 billion and $290 million, respectively at the worldwide box office.

Per The Hollywood Reporter, producing partners behind Universal's recently released The Fall Guy, Kelly McCormick, and David Leitch, will produce the Just Cause video game adaptation through their 87North...

The next video game to get a feature film adaptation will be Just Cause. From Square Enix and Avalanche Studios, the game has a movie in the works at Universal Pictures, and its director has just been found.

Per The Hollywood Reporter, ngel Manuel Soto will direct the Just Cause movie. David Leitch and Kelly McCormick will also reunite to produce the film under their 87North label as part of their first-look deal with Universal. Story Kitchen's Timothy I. Stevenson, Dmitri M. Johnson, and Mike Goldberg are also producing. Dan Jevons will executive produce.

Related The Weird World of Celebrity Video Games Celebrity video games were some of the weirdest yet most fascinating parts of video games' relatively young yet impactful history.

Along with Just Cause, Soto is set to direct the action movie The Wrecking Crew, which stars Guardians of the Galaxy actor Dave Bautista and Aquaman star Jason Momoa.

A long-awaited video game adaptation now has new life. Universal Pictures has officially boarded the "Just Cause" movie, and the studio has some impressive talent behind the camera to make the project a reality. That starts with director Ángel Manuel Soto, best known for directing the DC superhero movie "Blue Beetle." The project has also added "The Fall Guy" director David Leitch and his producing partner (and wife) Kelly McCormick on board as producers with their company, 87North.

Universal has a longstanding relationship with Leitch, as the filmmaker made "Hobbs & Shaw" for the studio before stepping behind the camera for "The Fall Guy." He also very nearly directed the new "Jurassic World" film before Gareth Edwards took over. 87North has a first-look deal with the studio, so this partnership makes sense. Dmitri M. Johnson, Mike Goldberg, and Timothy I. Stevenson are also on board as producers. As for Soto,...

Hit video game franchise Just Cause has gotten a new lease on life.

The video game from Square Enix and Avalanche Studios has landed at Universal Pictures with Blue Beetle director Ángel Manuel Soto set to helm the adaptation.

Kelly McCormick and David Leitch, the producing duo behind the studio’s The Fall Guy and Nobody, will produce through their 87North banner. The company has a first-look deal with Universal.

Also producing are Dmitri M. Johnson, Mike Goldberg and Timothy I. Stevenson of Story Kitchen. The team is already involved in the video game space with adaptations of the Tomb Raider and Sonic the Hedgehog titles.

Since its 2006 debut, the video game puts players on deadly missions as Rico Rodriguez, an operative who is a regime change specialist. Armed with a grappling hook and wingsuit, he goes on race-against-time missions to stop The Black Hand, a lethal mercenary group.

A...

The 2023 Super Mario Bros. animated feature film from Universal and Illumination was a massive success, bringing in over $1.3 Billion worldwide. Despite its mixed reception, it made a huge impact and already has a sequel in development. Universal also did well with the Five Nights At Freddy’s movie making nearly $300 Million worldwide.

Now, another Universal company is getting in on the video game adaptation business; this time, it’s DreamWorks animation. But they aren’t doing it alone. The legendary studio announced a partnership with Story Kitchen, a media company focused on adapting video games into feature films and television.

A spokesperson from Story Kitchen stated the following regarding the announcement: “We’re incredibly excited to work with DreamWorks Animation as our first -official- film partner, since Sk was founded in 2022.“

Story Kitchen was founded in 2022 by Dimiri M. Johnson, a producer on the 2020 Sonic the Hedgehog movie and co-founder...

Exclusive: Story Kitchen & DreamWorks Animation have formed a strategic partnership with Story Kitchen cementing an animated film first-look. Story Kitchen’s focus will be in securing exciting, iconic, Videogame IP for Dwa to adapt for global animated audiences. Story Kitchen is currently in a TV first-look with Amazon.

“We’re incredibly excited to work with DreamWorks Animation as our first -official- film partner, since Sk launched in 2022,” Story Kitchen said in a statement.

Dwa has strong legacy of films built on immersive worlds which lines up with Story Kitchen’s ability to adapt video games into feature film and TV series adaptations. While no adaptations are currently in development, future announcements are expected soon.

Story Kitchen is a dynamic media company specializing in universe building and franchise architecture; specializing in the adaptation of videogames and other ‘non-traditional’ IP into Film/TV. Founded in 2022 by Sonic The Hedgehog producer Dmitri M. Johnson...

Labeled “one of the most exciting indie titles in years” by Harrison Abbott right here on Bloody Disgusting last year, the eldritch horror fishing game Dredge is now getting a movie!

Variety reports this afternoon, “Black Salt Games has partnered with production company Story Kitchen to create a live-action feature adaptation of the single-player Lovecraftian fishing adventure with a sinister undercurrent.”

The official logline describes the film adaptation as follows: “Think ‘The Sixth Sense’ on the water. A grounded atmospheric cosmic horror blend of Hp Lovecraft and Ernest Hemingway.”

“We are excited to partner with such an experienced studio team to bring the world we created to live action and ignite the imagination of audiences across the globe,” said Black Salt Games’ Nadia Thorne, Joel Mason, Alex Ritchie and Michael Bastiaens in a statement.

Story Kitchen’s Dmitri M. Johnson, Mike Goldberg, Dan Jevons and Timothy I. Stevenson added in their own statement this week,...

Slime Rancher is getting the feature film treatment.

Per Deadline, it's been reported that Slime Rancher developer Monomi Park will collaborate with Story Kitchen to produce a feature film based on the video game. It marks the latest video game adaptation pursued by Story Kitchen, which is also working on Netflix series adaptations of Tomb Raider and Splinter Cell. The company, founded by Derek Kolstad (John Wick), Dmitri M. Johnson (Sonic the Hedgehog), and Mike Goldberg, is also developing projects based on Toejam & Earl, Streets of Rage, and It Takes Two.

Related: Slime Rancher: Wait, Are Slimes Intelligent?

No further details were shared about the Slime Rancher movie beyond the start of its development. As of now, it's unclear if the movie will be animated or developed as a live-action adaptation. What can be presumed is that the movie will, in some way, explore the world of "slime ranchers," or...

Exclusive: Story Kitchen has partnered with Monomi Park to adapt the hit videogame franchise, Slime Rancher into a feature film.

Monomi Park’s flagship title, Slime Rancher was released into Early Access in 2016 with an official release following in 2017. It is one of the highest-rated games on Steam of all time with a 98% positive average score and has sold over 6 million copies across all platforms with over 15 million players worldwide. Slime Rancher 2 launched into Early Access on September 22, 2022 and sold over 300,000 copies in the first week.

The original game is a first-person sandbox experience where you play as Beatrix LeBeau, a plucky, young rancher who sets out for a life a thousand light years away from Earth…on the ‘Far, Far Range.’ Each day presents new challenges and risky opportunities, as you attempt to amass a fortune in the business of slime ranching.

Founded by John Wick writer/creator Derek Kolstad,...

Exclusive: The viral gaming sensation Vampire Survivors is in the works for television. Story Kitchen is partnering with the game’s developer, poncle founder Luca Galante, to adapt the comedic gothic horror video game into a premium, animated television series.

In the game described as Vox Machina meets Castlevania, players control an automatically attacking character while fighting against continuous waves of monsters, with the goal being to survive the onslaught for as long as possible.

The game is set in 2021 in rural Italy. “There lived an evil person named Bisconte Draculó, whose many evil magics created a bad world filled with famine and suffering. It’s now up to the members of the Belpaese Family to end his reign of terror and return good food to the table,” reads the official description.

“There’s no place to hide -all you can do is try to survive a cursed night and...

“Floyd,” an original action feature centered around a Latino veteran described as “John Wick” meets “The Big Lebowski,” is currently in development.

Erik Olsen is writing the script and will produce the project with Navid Mcllhargey. Story Kitchen, a media company focused on world-building and untapped intellectual property rights, is on board to produce the project with Exile Content Studio.

The Los Angeles-set story will follow a former marine given the nickname Floyd by his corps. Marine vet William Brownlee will serve as a co-producer and consultant.

“From apprenticing for Erik and Navid 16-plus years ago at Silver Pictures/Dark Castle to becoming their creative partner, ‘Floyd’ is a dream come true,” said Mike Goldberg, co-founder of Story Kitchen. He is joined in the venture by prolific screenwriter and partner Derek Kolstad, creator of the “John Wick” franchise, and Dmitri M. Johnson, the film and TV producer who secured adaptive...

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Two intergalactic travelers looking for some funk are landing in Hollywood.

The 1990s Sega video game ToeJam & Earl is in the works as a feature film at Amazon Studios, also hailing from Stephen Curry’s Unanimous Media and Story Kitchen.

ToeJam & Earl, created by Mark Voorsanger and Greg Johnson, centers on two space-alien rappers who come to Earth seeking a cure for the disease eradicating their home planet’s rhythm, funk and groove.

The synopsis for the project continues: “Earth, their legends tell them, is the Paradise where the music that created their culture originated. Unfortunately for our heroes, not only do they wreck their ship, but they find that Earth is . . . well, not the haven they expected. But the music – that part was true. So begins their quest to find as much of that music as they can in the hope of saving their planet,...

Exclusive: Following a competitive pursuit, Story Kitchen, has partnered with Sloclap to adapt their hot new hit videogame, Sifu, into a Live-Action feature film with Story Kitchen partner Derek Kolstad adapting the script.

Story Kitchen’s Dmitri M. Johnson will produce alongside Mike Goldberg, Kolstad, Dan Jevons and Timothy I. Stevenson. Jeff Ludwig will also be producing alongside Story Kitchen, formerly a VP for Ritchie/Wigram Productions, before launching his own shingle, The Menagerie.

Based on the videogame developed & published by Sloclap,, the game tells a story of revenge set in modern-day China. It follows the student of a martial arts school’s master (Sifu) as he seeks to avenge the murder of his mentor. The twist, however, is that thanks to a magical talisman, each time our hero dies, he’s resurrected, but the price paid is that he ages with every use. And should he become too old too fast,...

John Wick won’t be the only guy beating ’em up at Lionsgate, as the studio has picked up the rights to the classic Sega video game adaptation “Streets of Rage” from the writer of “John Wick,” Derek Kolstad.

Kolstad is writing the script to the previously announced “Streets of Rage” film based on the Sega video game franchise, which are vintage side-scrolling “beat ’em up” games that became hugely popular in the ’90s. And boy, was the game a product of the ’90s — playable character Eddie “Skate” Hunter whooped the endless baddies while wearing a pair of rollerblades.

Kolstad is producing the film alongside Sega’s Toru Nakahara, dj2 Entertainment’s Dmitri M. Johnson, Timothy I. Stevenson, and Dan Jevons. Escape Artists’ Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal, and Tony Shaw are also producing. Johnson of dj2 is best known for producing the “Sonic” films alongside Sega. Johnson has a number...