The long-gestating movie based on the classic Sega video game Streets of Rage has finally picked up major speed. Lionsgate has officially hired Jeymes Samuel to direct, with Pat Casey and Josh Miller set to write the script. For fans who have been waiting since 2016 for this project to happen, this is the biggest news in years.
The film is described as leaning “heavily into the cult classic game known for its iconic characters, acclaimed electronic soundtracks and beat ‘em up action.” The update comes after months of silence, following previous reports that the project was “actively inactive.”
A New Creative Team With a Winning Track Record
The new team brings serious box office power and unique style to the table. Pat Casey and Josh Miller are the writers behind the Sonic the Hedgehog movie trilogy, which has earned over $1 billion worldwide. They also wrote the David Harbour action-comedy Violent Night, which got a sequel announced for 2026.
Director Jeymes Samuel is known for his bold visual style in The Harder They Fall (2021) and The Book of Clarence (2023). He also wrote, directed, and produced those films. His background includes a BAFTA win for The Harder They Fall.
“We and our partners at Sega knew that Streets of Rage demanded a bold filmmaker. Jeymes Samuel’s visceral and explosive style — not to mention his signature use of unforgettable music — is perfect for audiences both familiar with and new to the series.” — Erin Westerman, President of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group
What Happened to Derek Kolstad’s Version
Before this new team came on board, John Wick creator Derek Kolstad was attached to write the script. Lionsgate bought the film rights in November 2022 with Kolstad penning an early draft.
But as of March 2026, Kolstad described the project as “actively inactive” in an interview. He had compared his vision for the film to “16 Blocks by way of The Raid.” Now, Kolstad is no longer writing the script. He stays on board as a producer alongside Sega and Story Kitchen.
The Video Game Legacy That Started 35 Years Ago
Streets of Rage first launched on the Sega Genesis in 1991. It followed three former police officers — Axel Stone, Blaze Fielding, and Adam Hunter — as they fought to clean up the streets from the crime lord Mr. X. The game was praised for bringing arcade-quality beat ‘em up action into homes.
The series became famous for its gameplay and its electronic dance music soundtrack, mostly made by Yuzo Koshiro and Motohiro Kawashima. After three sequels, the franchise went quiet until Streets of Rage 4 arrived in 2020. That game sold more than 2.5 million copies in its first year. It ranked 20th on the U.S. download charts and 14th on the U.K. sales charts.
Who Is Making the Streets of Rage Movie
The production team is packed with experienced names. Toru Nakahara from Sega is producing. Dmitri M. Johnson, Michael Lawrence Goldberg, and Timothy I. Stevenson from Story Kitchen are also producing. Escape Artists’ Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal, and Tony Shaw round out the producing team.
Casey and Miller serve as executive producers, along with Elena Sandoval for Story Kitchen. James Myers and Pavan Kalidindi will oversee the project for Lionsgate. Shuji Utsumi and Nakahara are overseeing for Sega.
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No Cast or Release Date Yet
Right now, there is no information about casting. No actors have been announced to play Axel Stone, Blaze Fielding, or other fan-favorite characters. There is also no release date or production timeline.
The movie was first announced 10 years ago in December 2016, but the rights eventually went back to Sega. After the success of the Sonic movies, Lionsgate picked up the rights in 2022. Now with a director and writers locked in, the film is finally moving forward.
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