In an official statement, SEGA said it was investing in film and TV adaptations of its franchises, both live-action (with real actors) and animated. The company hired acclaimed filmmaker, producer, and screenwriter Evan Cholfin as head of production at International, a Tokyo-based company associated with SEGA that is also partnered with Hakuhodo DY Group, and the trio will adapt the classics.
The first projects confirmed for adaptation are Altered Beast, Streets of Rage, Shinobi, Rise of Nightmares, and Crazy Taxi. According to Evan Cholfin's IMDB page, other major titles are listed, such as Phantasy Star, Panzer Dragoon, Golden Axe, and Virtua Fighter, all dated for 2016 or later, though they have not yet been officially confirmed.
It is not known which game will be adapted for each medium or in what format. The statement also says that SEGA made investments in partnership with All Nippon Enternatinment Works, acquiring the rights to more than 20 titles, including movies, TV series, books, toys, and manga.
It is worth remembering that SEGA's mascot, Sonic, already has a movie in production at Sony Pictures that will be released in 2015. Could the adaptation of these series into other media indicate that SEGA's old franchises will return to consoles? All we can do is wait.
