Universal Wants SHINOBI Remake

By: Jarrod Sarafin, News Editor
Date: Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Source: Variety

Universal has bought the rights for remaking the 2005 Japanese action/super powered ninja story, SHINOBI. The studio is planning Max Makowski to write and direct the remake. That plan also involves changing the setting of the original which was based in the Tokugawa era in Japan. The remake from Makowski will be set in the modern era around Hong Kong.

It will still revolve around a Romeo & Juliet like love story between two feudal families teaming with super-powered ninjas. Instead of ninja "clans" as the original had, it will be two national security forces at odds with each other.

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Comments/Responses

narpin • Jul 31, 2007, 03:39am •

Movies based on video games always suck.

ponyboy76 • Jul 31, 2007, 04:51am •

Maybe in your opinion they do. Resident Evil was good, and so was the first Mortal Kombat. Granted all the movies made by Uwe Boll suck to high heaven, but it all depends on how the video game movie is treated. I loved the Shinobi game as a kid, but why the hell are they changing it? How do they move it from a Japanese style to a Chinese style. First off ninjas are Japanese not Chinese. How can they have Chinese ninjas?
"national security forces"? This has "CRAPFEST" written all over it.

Ryodin • Jul 31, 2007, 08:14am •

LOL, you two are clueless. This movie is not based on the video game. Shinobi is another Japanese word used for ninja. It's been in use since the 8th century--long before the videogame. The stories are not related whatsoever.

--Ryo

drvertigo • Jul 31, 2007, 10:16am •

In what way are national security forces more interesting than frickin' ninjas? Stupid Hollywood.

ponyboy76 • Jul 31, 2007, 10:21am •

Yes, I am clueless because I didn`t know it had nothing to do with the Shinobi video game. Hmm lets see, because the stories are so dissimilar. Listen assclown, Its not really a big stretch to mistake it for the video game considered the story mentions , "Super Powered" ninjas.
You sir are the ultimate tool ! Hail Ryodin king of all tools!
Still doesn`t explain away how they are going to just switch Japanese culture wth Chinese or why.

Myrddin • Jul 31, 2007, 10:28am •

I have an idea. Let's remake Gladiator but instead of ancient Rome, let's place it in the American Old West.

Wait, you say? It's not the same movie?

Yeah, remaking a 16th century Japanese era film into a modern Hong Kong setting is like that.

So basically, they're not remaking Shinobi, but Romeo and Juliet in Hong Kong with rival military forces.

almostunbiased • Jul 31, 2007, 10:31am •

I like ninjas, but . . .
I think I'll go to the ask a ninja site and get my ninja fix.

godsonfilm • Jul 31, 2007, 10:59am •

Shinobi was a 3 part series that was syndicated on television in Japan I think (I question the television mini-series perspective). I have seen them on DVD and they have great potential for a good Ninja film (the DVD's were very simple in special effects and quality). I don't see the point of remaking it without the actual ninja aspect or without it being with Japanese in Japan, although I am not sure if they meant Ninja National Security Forces, or just NSF's.

For the record, there have been several Shinobi films or series, none of which relate to the video game.

ponyboy76 • Jul 31, 2007, 11:13am •

Thanks for the info god. (That just sounds funny)

tiredjay • Jul 31, 2007, 01:09pm •

The Shinobi in this case is the movie Shinobi: Heart Under Blade, based on the novel that the anime series Basalisk was based on, not a 3 part syndicated series.

What you saw was the straight to video series also called Shinobi, but not related to the movie.

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