Lionsgate has closed a deal with Jeymes Samuel to direct the motion picture adaptation of SEGA’s “Streets of Rage”.
Pat Casey and Josh Miller will write the project, which will lean heavily into the cult classic game known for its iconic characters, acclaimed electronic soundtracks and beat ’em up action. The producers include SEGA’s Toru Nakahara, Story Kitchen’s Dmitri M. Johnson, Michael Lawrence Goldberg, and Timothy I. Stevenson, and Escape Artists’ Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal, and Tony Shaw, and Derek Kolstad, who had written an earlier draft of the screenplay. Casey and Miller are executive producing, as is Elena Sandoval for Story Kitchen.
Samuel previously wrote, directed, and produced BAFTA Award-winner “The Harder They Fall,” and wrote and directed “The Book of Clarence”.
Casey and Miller have written or cowritten films that have amassed more than $1 Billion at the worldwide box office, including SEGA and Paramount Pictures’ “Sonic the Hedgehog” trilogy of films, and the Universal franchise “Violent Night,” starring David Harbour, the latest of which will be released in 2026. They are also writing the horror comedy feature “Dead Drunk” for Oscar-winning producer Graham King and his GK Films production company.
Said Erin Westerman: “We and our partners at SEGA knew that ‘Streets of Rage’ demanded a bold filmmaker. Jeymes Samuel’s visceral and explosive style—not to mention his signature use of unforgettable music—is perfect for audiences both familiar with and new to the series. We are so excited for how he will bring his own memorable take to this beloved video game IP.”
The action game franchise began life as one of the most popular videogame series of the nineties and has endured as a top selling title. “Streets of Rage” sustained its well-loved reputation and was widely regarded for its influential gameplay and music, inspiring a fourth game in 2020 that was met with positive reception and strong sales. Within its first year after release, the game sold over 2.5 million copies, reaching 20th on the US downloads chart and 14th on the UK sales chart.
The move continues SEGA’s hot streak in adapting its classic games for the screen, including the “Sonic the Hedgehog” franchise, which has grossed over $1 billion worldwide to date.
James Myers and Pavan Kalidindi will oversee the project for Lionsgate, with Shuji Utsumi and Toru Nakahara overseeing for Sega, Dmitri M. Johnson is overseeing for Story Kitchen, and Tony Shaw is overseeing for Escape Artists.
The deal was negotiated by Phil Strina for Lionsgate.
Samuel is represented by CAA and Johnson Shapiro Slewett & Kole. Casey and Miller are represented by CAA, Gotham Group, and VanderKloot Law. Story Kitchen is represented by WME and Pryor Cashman.
About Lionsgate
Lionsgate (NYSE: LION) is one of the world’s leading standalone, pure play, publicly-traded content companies. It brings together diversified motion picture and television production and distribution businesses, a world-class portfolio of valuable brands and franchises, a premier talent management and production powerhouse at 3 Arts Entertainment and a more than 20,000-title film and television library, all driven by Lionsgate’s bold and entrepreneurial culture.