Video game film adaptations are no longer a scary prospect for studios. Well, let’s be real, there are still some video game film flops (looking at you, “Borderlands”). But for the most part, it’s been proven that films and TV shows based on video games can actually work with a quality filmmaker at the helm. And Universal thinks it has cracked the code for a “Shinobi” movie and director Sam Hargrave.
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According to Deadline, Sam Hargrave has been signed on to direct a film adaptation of the video game franchise, “Shinobi.” Now, unless you’re someone at an age that remembers SEGA consoles, you might not be familiar with “Shinobi.” Well, just think of it this way—it’s a story about a ninja who kicks ass. The franchise consists of 14 total video games released over decades. The most recent was released in 2023. Sounds like the perfect sort of vehicle for Hargrave, right?
Hargrave is probably best known for his work on the two ‘Extraction’ films for Netflix. He’s one of the best up-and-coming action filmmakers working today. Much like Chad Stahelski, Hargrave got his start in stunt work, so he knows how to frame an action scene.
The filmmaker has also been attached to a variety of films that have yet to be released. From comic book adaptations like “Prophet” to a film about Matchbox cars, Hargrave is one of the most sought-after filmmakers in Hollywood.
Let’s be honest though, a video game film adaptation is still not a guarantee. That said, “Shinobi” isn’t nearly as beloved as some of the other games that are being adapted nowadays. So, there should be plenty of room for Hargrave to change things to make a better film. And even though we brought up “Borderlands” above, there’s nothing about Hargrave’s career that would indicate that he would deliver a bomb like that.
Obviously, it’s still too early to know when we might see “Shinobi” on the big screen.