As Hollywood continues to try and crack the code of adapting video games for the silver screen, we have an update for Chad Stahelski’s Ghost of Tsushima movie and its new writer. The director’s feature adaptation of the Sony Playstation game has set Takashi Doscher to write the screenplay. The project is in early development with Stahelski attached to direct.
Here is the official synopsis for the Ghost of Tsushima video game, courtesy of Sucker Punch Productions:
“The year is 1274. Samurai warriors are the legendary defenders of Japan—until the fearsome Mongol Empire invades the island of Tsushima, wreaking havoc and conquering the local population. As one of the last surviving samurai, Jin Sakai, you rise from the ashes to fight back. But honorable tactics won’t lead you to victory. You must move beyond your samurai traditions to forge a new way of fighting—the way of the Ghost—as you wage an unconventional war for the freedom of Japan.”
While he’s fighting for the good of his people, Jin’s combat methods are looked down upon by many around him, particularly his Uncle, Lord Shimura, who raised him after his father, Kazumasa Sakai, died. According to Lord Shimura, a samurai looks his enemy in the eye. To do anything else is dishonorable, though Jin argues that times are changing, and the old ways might not win the day. I suspect this will be a significant plot point in the film. Out with the old, in with the stealth kills and savage war tactics.
As a filmmaker, Doscher directed and wrote the features Still and Only. He’s also written several short films, including Sky is Falling, Waltz for One, and Detour.
Sony’s Ghost of Tsushima movie is the second film from a partnership between Sony Pictures and Playsation Productions. The paring’s first endeavor, Uncharted, grossed over $383 million at the worldwide box office. Sony is so pleased with Uncharted‘s performance that they plan to make more movies based on the beloved action-adventure property.
Then there’s Sony Pictures Television and Playstation Productions, who are developing The Last of Us TV series for HBO, as well as Twisted Metal, starring Anthony Mackie. Both projects come with a high pedigree, with Craig Mazin attached to write and produce The Last of Us and Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick on board for Twisted Metal.
Are you excited for the Ghost of Tsushima movie to slash its way into theaters now that it has a writer? Which of Sony’s current projects are you looking forward to the most? Let us know in the comments section.