Coming from Japanese developer Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, the Yakuza series stands to be one of the tent pole franchises under publisher Sega tailing behind the company mascot, Sonic the Hedgehog. And with more than a dozen entries that followed the inception of the series since 2005, those including reimagings of the first two installments and a prequel of the inaugural title, Sega plans to further push the brand beyond the living room.
That being with a film adaptation, of course. Following after the blockbuster success with Sonic the Hedgehog back in February with a sequel already paved to arrive in 2022, it is expected that the Japanese publisher would pursue a similar approach to other prominent properties in its arsenal. While there are other prolific series such as Shin Migami Tensei or Sakura Wars, Yakuza illustrates to appeal the most to the global market over sibling franchises.
According to Variety, Sega is pushing its ambitions to migrate Yakuza to the silver screen. In that, 1212 will be helming the production while Wild Sheep is searching for the screenwriter to pen the script for the coming film.
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.
As for those mentioned to be involved in the new production, Erik Barmack (Quicksand, The Rain) with Roberto Grande & Joshua Long (Scary Movies to Tell in the Dark) of 1212 will be producers for the coming Yakuza flick. While the plot is still in the making, it is best presumed that the studio will follow closely to the source material behind Kazama Kiryu.
In other Yakuza news, Sega announced that the coming western release for Yakuza 7: Like a Dragon will be shipping uniquely on Xbox One & Xbox Series X|S later this November. This alongside a handful of other AAA releases like Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. Gears Tactics, and Watch Dogs: Legion will also arrive the same day. You can read the full report by heading here.
What are you most excited about the news for a Yakuza film?
Source: Variety
