In terms of narrative, PlayStation 4’s fastest-selling first-party video game “Ghost of Tsushima” is fairly familiar, arguably even rote.
The story unfolds on Tsushima Island off the Japanese coast in the 13th century. As the fearsome Mongol Empire invades the island, the last surviving samurai Jin Sakai learns guerrilla warfare in order to save his homeland.
Yet what makes that game one of the most acclaimed and beloved PlayStation exclusives is its stunning open world, offering one of the most beautiful big-budget games ever made. The world design combined with shot compositions, lighting and texture offers countless scenes that could easily be framed and hung on a wall.
Out promoting “John Wick: Chapter 4,” filmmaker Chad Stahelski has spoken some more about the planned film adaptation of ‘Tsushima’ to which he’s been attached for a while.
Previously he indicated he wants to do as his next project as long as the logistics work out. This week whilst speaking with Discussing Film, Stahelski says the game has a “really interesting” story coupled with the great visuals which should yield a strong film:
“I love Ghost of Tsushima, it’s one of when my favorite properties…. [it] is a really interesting story if you really dive into the tale of Jin Sakai and what the film is really about. And you tie him to these amazing visuals. You can already tell from the John Wick films that I love color and I love composition.
To really try and not only live up to but exceed what the game has done with its visuals is completely fascinating to me. So that’s something we’re currently researching and working on. Like, how can you push the color palette? How can you bring that world to life in a very realistic and grounded way?”
Earlier this week Stahelski said the success of HBO’s “The Last of Us” TV series has shown that a good video game adaptation “can be done” so long as the work is given the right “love and attention”. He added that of all the other video game to screen adaptations in development, he thinks ‘Tsushima’ is “the one that’s going to land”.
At last report, the film will be a Japanese language film with an all-Japanese cast but a Hollywood-style budget along with a script from award-winning writer and director Takashi Doscher. PlayStation Productions and Stahelski’s 87Eleven Entertainment will produce.
