The screenwriter has been chosen for the planned Ghost of Tsushima film adaptation coming from Sony Pictures and PlayStation Productions.

It was announced in March that Chad Stahelski, known for directing the three John Wick films (he’s also directing the upcoming fourth), would be directing an adaptation of the hit 2020 action-adventure game.

Deadline is now reporting that Takashi Doscher has been hired to pen the script. Doscher’s previous writing credits include 2019 post-apocalyptic romance drama Only and 2018 fantasy-mystery Still, both of which he also directed. Another of his screenplays, Blue, has gone into development with AGBO and MGM. That one is being described as a twist on a Japanese monster movie.

“I grew up watching “chambara” [samurai cinema] re-runs with my grandparents,” Doscher posted on Twitter. “I skipped school to line up for the PS2 on launch day. To say this is the highlight of my career is an understatement. Honored and humbled. Arigato-gozaimasu! [Japanese for ‘Thank you!’]”

I grew up watching “chambara” re-runs with my grandparents. I skipped school to line up for the PS2 on launch day. To say this is the highlight of my career is an understatement. Honored and humbled. Arigato-gozaimasu! 🇯🇵🏯🎮 https://t.co/85AbotETuS

— Takashi Doscher (@TakashiDoscher) April 12, 2022

Developed by Sucker Punch Productions and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment, the Ghost of Tsushima game is an open-world adventure following a samurai by the name of Jin Sakai. With a third-person perspective, players are able to use direct confrontation or stealth as Sakai embarks on an epic mission to protect Tsushima Island during the first Mongol invasion of Japan.

The game has been a hit, selling over 8 million copies worldwide since it was first released in July 2020.

The Ghost of Tsushima movie, still in early development, will mark the second film in the Sony Pictures and PlayStation Productions partnership. The first was this year’s Uncharted movie, which has topped $US383 million worldwide and sparked excitement for Sony – “Uncharted is a new hit movie franchise for the company,” Sony Pictures Motion Picture Group Chairman and CEO Tom Rothman declared in a companywide email in February.

We’ll keep you up to date as this one comes together and casting decisions are made. In the meantime, take a look back at Ghost of Tsushima‘s official Story Trailer:

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