By | Published October 28, 2008

Action anime fans can shed another tear of joy or sorrow. With James Wong’s live-action DRAGONBALL film currently in post-production and Chris Nohan’s BLOOD: THE LAST VAMPIRE in the can, there arrives news of another beloved anime property being turned into a Hollywood film. Warner Bros. has acquired rights to NINJA SCROLL, Yoshiaki Kawajiri’s classic 1993 supernatural actioner that is widely regarded as one of the top 10 anime features ever made.

The original anime film is the model for a whole generation of extreme anime. A ninja mercenary battles his nemesis, a leader of a band of demons intent on overthrowing Japan’s Feudal-era government. It’s filled with over-the-top martial arts, limb-tearing violence, otherworldly creatures, and sexual depravity.

The screenplay is being written by Alex Tse. He’s a new writer on the scene who has adapted Alan Moore’s WATCHMEN graphic novel into Zach Snyder’s upcoming superhero movie of the same name. Tse recently finished a screen adaptation of Ray Bradbury’s novel THE ILLUSTRATED MAN, also for Snyder who plans to direct for Warner.

Leonardo DiCaprio’s Appian Way is co-producing with Japan’s Mad House, the animation company behind quality titles like TOYKO GODFATHERS, THE ANIMATRIX, VAMPIRE HUNTER D, and my personal favorite TEXHNOLYZE. Producers include Jennifer Davisson Killoran and Mike Ireland. For the record, DiCaprio will not be appearing in the movie.

My Thoughts:

The original NINJA SCROLL may be tame by anime conventions but its still extreme entertainment that will undoubtedly be toned down for a live-action Hollywood film. Just like with the DRAGONBALL movie, producers have missed the point of what makes anime such a unique medium in the first place. It’s tailor-made for extreme action that would otherwise look ridiculous in the real world. Filmmakers need to have the passion, imagination and sense of fun of Sam Raimi, Peter Jackson or Lam Ngai-kai but that’s rare, especially when making money is the chief motivator. My guess is that like DRAGONBALL, the producers are cashing in on the popularity of NINJA SCROLL and what actually ends up on screen will matter little so long as curious fans pay to see it.

Source: Variety

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  • Peter

    There’s a very easy way to stop that, don’t go to see Dragonball.

  • Tyler

    Ugggghhhhhh!

  • gunswordfist

    TEXHNOLYZE-WTF is this anime about? I tried to watch an episode but was confused to death.

  • http://buangistorya.blogspot.com rowmel

    i am not sad about dragonball live action because the original dragonball wasnt that action packed. now, if they toned down a dragonball Z movie, then… THEN, i would be pissed.

    which is the case now with ninja scroll. its not cool.

    why cant they just make it in japan or korea… i mean, does anyone remember volcano high? that movie was awesome.

    @gunswordfist….
    LOLOL!! i didnt get that anime also, that was crazy

  • gunswordfist

    Volcano High was great. And TEXHNOLYZE is confusing as hell. I think I need a translator or something just to watch that show. lol

  • coco

    No doubt a white guy will be playing the role of Jubie along with EVERY Japanese characters in this anime.