Following the smashing commercial and critical success of Fast Five, director Justin Lin has been inundated with a number of potential future projects. Heâs 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 Shogunâs executioner who sets out to seek revenge with his three-year-old son in tow after heâs disgraced by false accusations from the Yagyu clan. Hit the jump for more.Kamala has tapped David and Janet Peoples (Blade Runner, Twelve Monkeys) to write the script, with Lin set to direct. I havenât read Lone Wolf and Cub, but itâs largely considered to be a seminal work. Lin is great with popcorn action fare, but itâll 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 IttÅ, the Shogun's executioner who uses a dÅtanuki battle sword. Disgraced by false accusations from the YagyÅ« clan, he is forced to take the path of the assassin. Along with his three-year-old son, DaigorÅ, they seek revenge on the YagyÅ« clan and are known as "Lone Wolf and Cub". [Wikipedia]