Netflix is going full steam ahead on its latest adaptation, with it being announced the streaming service is in early development on the feature of Sloclap’s game, Sifu, and tapped T.S. Nowlin to pen the adaptation. Chad Stahelski and his 87Eleven banner have also joined Story Kitchen as producers.
“From the moment we played, we knew this had all the makings of an unforgettable cinematic experience—pulse-pounding action, deep emotional stakes, and a unique take on martial arts storytelling. Teaming up with 87Eleven Entertainment, the best in the world when it comes to action filmmaking, is a dream come true. Their mastery of choreography and visceral storytelling is the perfect match to bring Sifu to life on screen. With Netflix behind us, we’re ready to deliver an action film unlike any other,” said Story Kitchen’s Johnson & Goldberg.
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Chad Stahelski and 87 Eleven are no strangers to tackling revenge-laden action pictures. His team is known most for the balls-to-the-wall John Wick film franchise, which focuses on the titular John Wick, who personifies the meaning of revenge in every film entry. The latest entry in the franchise is Ballerina, which will be released this summer.
Stahelski and 87 Eleven are arguably the perfect fit to adapt Sifu into a feature. That said, this adaptation is in early development, so it is advised not to get too excited yet. There’s always the chance plans can change. In the meantime, it’s not too late for people to dive into the game and immerse themselves in the world.
What is Sifu, and has it been adapted before?
Sifu, developed and published by Sloclap, is a cinematic action brawler set in modern-day China. It blends intense martial arts combat with a unique aging mechanic. Players take on the role of a young fighter seeking revenge for his murdered master, but each time he falls in battle, a mystical talisman revives him—at the cost of accelerated aging.
The game is not for the faint of heart. Our critic had this to say: “Sifu is surprisingly difficult, at a level that will deter most players. However, getting past that wall will reward you with an amazingly crafted game that stays true to the developer’s vision, one that celebrates kung fu and its core meaning. While the story isn’t presented as something truly impactful, it, too, pays off nearly perfectly during the true ending of the game.”
Sifu sold 1M copies in its first month and has sold 4M+ million copies to date. It has earned nominations for Best Independent Game, Best Fighting Game, and Best Action Game during the 2022 The Game Awards and many others from D.I.C.E, the Golden Joystick, and BAFTA.
Most recently, Sifu was heavily featured in Tim Miller’s new adult animated anthological series, Secret Level. Up next for game developer Sloclap, and announced during the December 2024 The Game Awards, is Rematch. It is a third-person action football game that will be released later this summer.
