We learned that Sega’s long-running beat ’em up series, Streets of Rage, was getting the film-adaptation treatment back in 2022 via Lionsgate, around the same time Paramount Pictures acquired the movie franchise rights to Sonic the Hedgehog. Now, three movies later (with a fourth in production), Lionsgate has tapped Pat Casey and Josh Miller, the writer duo behind the Sonic films, to write its Streets of Rage adaptation.
That’s according to Variety, which also reports that The Harder They Fall director Jeymes Samuel will now direct the untitled Streets of Rage movie. Casey and Miller join the film production following the departure of John Wick writer Derek Kolstad, who wrote an earlier draft for the movie.
There’s still no word on what the film will be about, but Variety writes that the adaptation is described as leaning “heavily into the cult classic game known for its iconic characters, acclaimed electronic soundtracks, and beat ’em up action.” Streets of Rage 4, the last release in the series thus far, launched in 2020, selling more than 2.5 million copies within a year, and fans have been clamoring for a new entry since.
Meanwhile, Paramount’s Sonic series has grossed more than $1 billion across three movies, with the fourth – aptly titled Sonic the Hedgehog 4 – set to hit theaters in March of 2027. Notably, both Casey and Miller are the writers behind Sonic the Hedgehog 4, with stars like Ben Schwartz, Jim Carrey, James Marsden, Idris Elba, Colleen O’Shaughnessey, Keanu Reeves, Lee Majdoub, and others set to return alongside newcomer Kristin Bell, who will provide the voice of Amy in the film.
There’s no word on when Liongsate’s Streets of Rage movie will hit theaters, but the ball/sidescrolling-asphalt-that-is-the-arena-for-beat-em-up-combat is finally moving along. Considering Lionsgate is behind the ultra-violent/ultra-great John Wick movies, Streets of Rage could turn out to be an action hit.
In the meantime, read Game Informer’s review for Streets of Rage 4, and then check out our non-video game reviews of Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Knuckles, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, and Mortal Kombat II.
[Source: Variety]
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