SNK is bringing some of its best-known video game franchises to Hollywood, with Samurai Shodown, Fatal Fury, Metal Slug, and Art of Fighting among the properties being developed for adaptations across multiple entertainment formats.
As reported by The Hollywood Reporter, the projects are being handled by The Arena, a production banner founded by producer Erik Feig. The studio is working with SNK to expand its classic gaming franchises beyond their arcade and console roots, with plans spanning movies, television, anime, and manga.
Fatal Fury is already receiving considerable attention, with David S. Goyer, known for his work on The Dark Knight trilogy, writing a feature film based on the fighting game franchise. Another project, Geese, will explore the origins of the series’ villain Geese Howard, with filmmaker Grant Singer attached to write and direct.
The plans also include Fatal Fury: The Vow, an animated series being developed with Skybound Entertainment, while Art of Fighting is set to receive a webtoon adaptation. Samurai Shodown and Metal Slug are among the other SNK properties included in the studio’s broader adaptation plans.
Although specific details about a Samurai Shodown adaptation have yet to be established, the franchise’s inclusion is notable given its long history in the fighting game genre. First released in 1993 under the Japanese name Samurai Spirits, the series is known for its weapon-based combat and cast of warriors drawn from different backgrounds, with supernatural elements also playing a role in its fictionalized historical setting.
The Arena’s ambitions extend beyond simply adapting individual games. The studio hopes to build a connected entertainment presence around its properties, reaching audiences through different formats while developing stories that can appeal to existing fans and newcomers alike.
With multiple SNK franchises now in the pipeline, fans have more than one reason to keep an eye on the company’s plans for the screen. However, further details about the individual projects, including their release schedules, remain to be announced.