Streets Of Rage Movie Brings On Writers Of Some Of The Most Popular Video Game Movies Ever

A movie based on Sega's Streets of Rage video game has been in the works for years, and now the latest development has unfolded. 

John Wick creator Derek Kolstad is no longer writing the movie, with Sonic the Hedgehog writers Pat Casey and Josh Miller taking over. Additionally, Jeymes Samuel is now attached to direct the movie.

Casey and Miller wrote all three Sonic the Hedgehog movies so far, and are returning for the fourth. in 2027. The three movies have together made more than $1.2 billion at the box office.

Lionsgate movie boss Erin Westerman said the Streets of Rage movie "demanded a bold filmmaker," and they found one with Samuel. Westerman said Samuel is known for his "visceral and explosive style," which makes him a good fit for the movie.

"We are so excited for how he will bring his own memorable take to this beloved video game IP," Westerman said (via Variety).

There is no word yet on the story for the Streets of Rage movie. The beat-'em-up series debuted in 1991 and has spawned three main sequels, the latest of which, Streets of Rage 4, was released in 2020.

A movie called Streets of Rage was released in 1994, but it has nothing to do with the video game series.

Samuel, also known by his stage name The Bullitts, directed the 2021 Netflix Western movie The Harder They Fall, starring Idris Elba, Zazie Beetz, LaKeith Stanfield, and Jonathan Majors. It was his directorial debut for a feature film, and he won the BAFTA for Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director, or Producer for it. He also directed 2023's The Book of Clarence.

He's also an established singer-songwriter and composer, having released his own music and composed the music for the Baz Luhrman movie The Great Gatsby starring Leonardo DiCaprio.

The highest-grossing video game movie of all time is The Super Mario Bros. Movie ($1.34 billion), followed by The Super Mario Galaxy Movie ($960 million).