MOVIE NEWS – Chad Stahelski is expanding his footprint in the world of video game adaptations. The John Wick director has officially signed on as a producer for Netflix’s live-action adaptation of Sifu, the hit martial arts action game developed by Sloclap and released in 2022.

Sifu is a high-energy beat-‘em-up that challenges players with intense combat sequences and a unique aging mechanic. Each time the player loses a fight, their character grows older—gaining access to stronger abilities but getting closer to permanent death. If they reach an advanced age and are defeated again, they must restart from the beginning, making every fight a strategic battle for survival.

Live-action ‘Sifu’ movie is coming

The game brilliantly fuses time-loop mechanics with rogue-like gameplay, resulting in an addictive, visually stunning experience. At its core, Sifu is a revenge story—one that could make for an exhilarating martial arts film. 87Eleven, the action-focused production company behind hits like Atomic Blonde and The Fall Guy, is officially onboard as a producer, alongside Kitchen Story.

Netflix is doubling down on video game adaptations, following the success of projects like Castlevania and Devil May Cry. While Sifu is a relatively recent release, its intricate combat system and cinematic storytelling make it a perfect fit for 87Eleven’s signature style of high-impact, practical stunt work.

‘Sifu’ already has a small-screen adaptation

Interestingly, Sifu has already made its way to the screen. The Prime Video anthology series Secret Level dedicated its second episode, Sifu: It Takes a Life, to exploring the game’s themes. This nine-minute animated short, written by Rich Larson and featuring Parry Shen and Ping Wu as different versions of the protagonist, effectively serves as a proof of concept for a full-length adaptation.

The episode showcases the core elements of Sifu: visceral combat, the consequences of aging, and the psychological toll of a relentless revenge quest. Its impressive visuals and tightly choreographed action sequences make it clear that the game’s story is ripe for a larger cinematic treatment.

What to expect from the Netflix adaptation

Much like Stahelski’s in-development adaptation of Ghost of Tsushima, Sifu is a story of vengeance and perseverance. While the Deadline report doesn’t explicitly confirm whether the adaptation will be live-action or animated, given Stahelski’s background, it’s likely to be a live-action production emphasizing real-world stunt choreography.

The screenplay is being written by T.S. Nowlin, known for The Adam Project and the Maze Runner series. No director has been announced yet, and for now, Stahelski is only listed as a producer. With video game adaptations surging in popularity, all eyes are on Netflix to see who will take the helm and bring this martial arts epic to life.

Source: Deadline