Following the smashing commercial and critical success of Fast Five, director Justin Lin has been inundated with a number of potential future projects. He’s currently prepping the untitled sixth entry in the Fast & Furious franchise, but another one of his potential projects just moved a bit closer toward production. Deadline reports that Kamala Films has acquired the film rights to the Japanese manga Lone Wolf and Cub, which Lin has developing since last summer. The highly lauded manga, created by Kazuo Koike and artist Goseki Kojima, tells the story of a Shogun’s executioner who sets out to seek revenge with his three-year-old son in tow after he’s disgraced by false accusations from the Yagyu clan. Hit the jump for more.lone-wolf-and-cub-book-coverKamala has tapped David and Janet Peoples (Blade Runner, Twelve Monkeys) to write the script, with Lin set to direct. I haven’t read Lone Wolf and Cub, but it’s largely considered to be a seminal work. Lin is great with popcorn action fare, but it’ll be interesting to see him take on such a beloved piece of material. Production is still probably quite a ways off, as Lin will be busy with Fast 6 for the next year or so, after which Universal will most likely want to get the ball rolling on Fast 7. Read the synopsis for Lone Wolf and Cub below.

Lone Wolf and Cub chronicles the story of Ogami Ittō, the Shogun's executioner who uses a dōtanuki battle sword. Disgraced by false accusations from the Yagyū clan, he is forced to take the path of the assassin. Along with his three-year-old son, Daigorō, they seek revenge on the Yagyū clan and are known as "Lone Wolf and Cub". [Wikipedia]