I am a fan of the melodramatic, high octane, Hong Kong-cinema style of John Woo. We learn today that he may be doing a video game adaption that focuses on ninjas! We get the scoop from The Hollywood Reporter:
John Woo is attached to direct and produce “Ninja Gold,” a new intellectual property from video game creator Warren Spector. Spector is best know for creating such games as “Deus Ex,” “Thief: Deadly Shadows” and “System Shock.” Fox Atomic will release the eventual film, with Woo’s Lion Rock Prods. and frequent Woo collaborator Terrence Chang producing. Spector will executive produce.
“Ninja” centers on a ninja warrior, part of a centuries-old legacy and bloodline, forced to confront the reality of covert warfare in the modern world.
Spector said Woo was intimately involved in the creation of the “Ninja” cast of characters, especially the hero. He said Woo’s input on the basic situations and thematic underpinnings of the story puts him in a great position to develop the film property without a lot of assistance from the game creators.
Video game adaptations are usually not very good news. In this scenario it appears that Woo had some input into the game itself and now will be basing a movie off the game. I do not know if this will guarantee a better video game film, but it is certainly worth a try.
I think Woo is a fantastic action director. He has his own style and that style is blatant in every film, so you either love him or you don’t. I love John Woos films because I know there will be over the top rediculous action. People jump all over the place, people have too many guns on them and even more bullets. At the end of the film you have an over the top emothional score, that puts sand on the fire of your testosterone as you leave the theatre as to protect the innocent from your bloodlust.
John Woo and ninjas is going to be a good time. I am willing to overlook the fact that this is a video game adaptation, because I want to see high octane ninja assasinations. The 80’s had a glut of ninja movies and we have had a bit of a dry spell since. The time is right for ninja movies, and Woo is the right man for the job.
