A movie adaptation of the hit video game Ghost of Tsushima has been in the works for almost a year, and according to director Chad Stahelski, he’s looking to make the anti-samurai movie.
In an interview with BroBible, Stahelski — who has also directed all four entries in the hit John Wick franchise — gave a bit of information about the upcoming take on the game. Stahelski praised the upcoming film’s story, calling it “the anti-samurai movie” and also noting that television shows like The Last of Us have proven that video game adaptations can work as long as they’re given love and attention.
“Rainbow Six, Ghost of Tsushima — I’m working on. Both are fantastic projects that I really hope come to fruition,” said Stahelski. “But Ghost… it’s got an amazing story. It’s the anti-samurai samurai movie. It’s got great thematics. We have a lot of push on that and a lot of interest because Last of Us pushing that, yes, the curse of video game-to-movie is kind of lifted. It can be done. You’ve just got to give it love and attention. And Ghost, of probably all the other video game [movies] in development, I think that’s the one that’s going to land.”
It’s unclear exactly what Stahelski means by “anti-samurai movie,” especially considering Ghost of Tsushima largely centers around the politics and morals of samurai in Japan during the 1200s. Stahelski had previously noted that he hopes to have “a complete Japanese cast” and also make the film in Japanese, although it’s unknown exactly whether or not those hopes will come to fruition.
Stahelski, Alex Young, and Jason Spitz will be producing the film through 87Eleven Entertainment. PlayStation Productions’ Asad Qizilbash and Carter Swan will be producers. Sucker Punch, the developer behind the game, will be executive producing.
