LONE WOLF AND CUB Next For Director Justin Lin?

It was revealed by THR this week that director Justin Lin won't be making Fast And Furious 7 leaving a bit of a window for him to make one his many projects he's attached himself to. One of the them being his recent involvement with a western take on the classic Japanese manga tale Lone Wolf And Cub. Which was revealed that Janet and David Peoples were tasked write the film's script back in March 2012. The screenwriting pair are best known for writing the scripts for Twelve Monkeys, Blade Runner and Unforgiven. David is also currently working with Ridley Scott and Alcon Entertainment on a sequel to Blade Runner. At one point Darren Aronofsky was also trying to make a version the adaptation but ultimately they lost the rights. I expect that Lin might be able to make Lone Wolf next if the script is completed.



The manga series was turned into a very successful string of gory samurai exploitation films in Japan. One of them with the American title Shogun Assassin which would influence Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill. There hasn't been an update in a while but it's possible that more talk on it's development will be sparked during the press tour for Fast And Furious 6. Considering the massive amount of material that led to five original films there's a strong possibility this could be another franchise for Justin. I assume this one will be based on Sword of Vengeance and could even take the title. Since Lin's strong relationship with Universal I wouldn't be shocked to see them pickup distribution rights for the film.

"Ogami Itto, the Shogun’s elite executioner. In an attempt to take his position, the rival Yagyu clan falsely accuses Itto of a crime and murders his wife. Disgraced, Itto is forced to wander Japan with his three-year-old son Daigoro as an assassin for hire, earning the title 'Lone Wolf and Cub.' Ultimately, Itto and Daigoro seek revenge on the Yagyu clan."

Pete Travis Considering Another Comic Book Film And Open To STAR WARS

Speaking to MovieWeb Pete Travis (Dredd) confirms he's been sent a script for another comic book film. The unnamed project seems to have captured his interest and hopes to get it made sometime this year. However, the movie is in very early stages. He also briefly comments on his desire to make a Star Wars film. We know that the studio is looking to make spin-offs and he'd be an awesome person to tackle one of those.

"I wasn't looking for a comic book movie when I found Dredd. Like I say, it was all about the script. There is another comic book script that I have been sent, that I quite like. I hope it might get made this year. I think comic books and graphic novels are exciting. I think there are tons of ways to make them more real. It's an area I am really excited about...No, not at the moment. It is in the early stage." 

"I wouldn't count out anything in this business, really. Who knows what tomorrow will bring? Who wouldn't be interested in that? I loved it as a kid. I loved it while I was growing up. So, who knows?" 

A COUPLE OF PROJECTS I THINK IT COULD BE

BLACK PANTHER: I'd love it to be Marvel's Black Panther which has a script from Mark Bailey. Pete has proven he can make a fictional place like Mega-City One believable. Travis could be able to create the fictional high-tech country Wakanda in similar way. T'Challa needs a visionary to tell his story and he seems like that person. The only problem is that I doubt this will be made until Avengers 2 wraps production. Currently, Captain America: The Winter Soldier is set to shoot in April with Guardians of The Galaxy in the Summer. While I want it to be Panther it's a long-shot.

HARD BOILED: Another possible project would be Warner Bros' Hard Boiled which is based on the Frank Miller graphic novel. Miller wrote the script for the studio with the hope of directing it back in 2008. Hard Boiled went into development-limbo when Frank's The Spirit bombed at the box office. A futuristic debt collector in a massive violent noir city figures out something important about himself while a large body count amasses around him.

RONIN: Ronin is another Frank Miller project setup at Warner Bros. that has script but is also development-limbo. That film had Sylvain White attached to direct but his other comic book film The Losers didn't do very well. After the release it was unknown if the project was going to get made. It focuses on a ronin from feudal Japan that is transported to a futuristic New York City.

LONE WOLF AND CUB: The iconic manga series Lone Wolf And Cub spawned a bunch of Japanese films and influenced Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill. Kamala Films is developing an American take on the material with Justin Lin attached to direct. However, Lin has been dropping out of films in record speed with films like Terminator 5 and Highlander previously. It's possible that Justin could exit this project too. I could see this being right up Pete's ally. The film has a script in development from David and Janet Peoples (Unforgiven, Blade Runner, Blade Runner Sequel). A betrayed executioner for the Shogun and his son travel the roads of Japan while being pursued by a neverending flood of assassins. At one point Darren Aronofksy was trying to make a version himself before the rights were lost.

Justin Lin Could Direct Lone Wolf And Cub Reboot

If you don't recognize the manga Lone Wolf And Cub you might better know the Japanese TV series that would eventually become the Shogun Assassin films. The film is referenced in Kill Bill Vol.2 and highly influenced the action scenes in Kill Bill Vol.1. At one point Darren Aronofsky (Black Swan, Noah) was working on his own adaptation but the rights reverted and he moved on from the project.

There is word from Deadline that the remake/reboot is now back in the works with Justin Lin (Fast Five) attached to direct with David and Janet Peoples (Unforgiven, Blade Runner, 12 Monkeys) handling the script. I wouldn't hold my breath about Lin as he previously attached himself to Highlander and Terminator 5 only to exit. Let's just hope they keep the gore intact and don't end up making a watered down PG-13 film.

Films That Should Be Made: Lone Wolf & Cub

Originally a manga series from the 1970's which spawned six movies, a television series and many updated mangas. Famously known film in North America as "Shogun Assassin" which helped influence Kill Bill Vol 1.



At one point director Darren Aronofsky (Fountain, The Wrestler) was rumored to be inline to direct an updated version. During an interview with /Film Aronofsky admits he was involved. "Paramount never got the rights. And we developed a script, but now the rights don't exist." Hopefully some miracle happens and the project becomes a reality.



"chronicles the story of Ogami Ittō, the Shogun's executioner who uses the Dotanuki battle sword. He was disgraced by false accusations from the Yagyu clan and has been forced to take the path of the assassin. Along with his three-year-old son, Daigoro, they seek revenge on the Yagyū clan and are known as "Lone Wolf and Cub"."