Universal Pictures has acquired remake rights to the 2005 Japanese action hit Shinobi from Shochiku and set Max Makowski to write the script and direct, reports Variety. The film is a co-production of Circle of Confusion and Spitfire Pictures.
Makowski will begin writing the movie immediately in hopes it can begin production early next year. While the original pitted two rival ninja clans against each when members from each fall in love, Makowski is modernizing the Romeo and Juliet premise and resetting it in Hong Kong. There, the victor of a 160-year-old feud between two multinational security forces is being decided, with a love affair complicating matters.
Makowski will infuse the film with elements from Asian gangster and ninja genres.
