Streets of Rage movie lands a director and writers after years of silence

The Streets of Rage movie finally has a creative team. Sega and Lionsgate announced today that Jeymes Samuel will direct, with Pat Casey and Josh Miller on screenplay duties.

Samuel is the filmmaker behind The Harder They Fall, The Book of Clarence, and They Die by Dawn. Casey and Miller wrote the live-action Sonic the Hedgehog trilogy, plus 2022's Violent Night and a handful of episodes from the 2016 mini-series 12 Deadly Days. Lionsgate president Erin Westerman said in a statement that "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." The studios say the film will "lean heavily into the cult classic game known for its iconic characters, acclaimed electronic soundtracks and beat 'em up action." Producers include Sega's Toru Nakahara, Story Kitchen's Dmitri M. Johnson, Michael Lawrence Goldberg, and Timothy I. Stevenson, alongside Escape Artists' Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal, and Tony Shaw. Casey and Miller are also executive producing.

Sega first announced the Streets of Rage adaptation nearly a decade ago — this December marks ten years. The project moved slowly, with John Wick creator Derek Kolstad coming aboard to write an early draft in 2022, the same year Lionsgate acquired the project. Kolstad remains attached as a producer. Sega also flagged Streets of Rage alongside other retro franchises as part of its Sega Universe initiative back in April.

Plot details, casting, and a release date are all still under wraps. But with a director and writers now locked in, the project at least looks like it's actually moving.