Chad Stahelski, who is best known for directing the John Wick movies, is attached to a film adaptation of Ghost of Tsushima, and while the filmmaker just gave the project its best update yet, his involvement still raises concerns. Ghost of Tsushima is a historical epic video game that follows a samurai who must protect Tsushima Island during the first Mongol invasion of Japan. The game is expansive, full of intricate action sequences, and a masterclass in world-building, so it’s no surprise that a Ghost of Tsushima movie was quickly greenlit after the game’s 2020 release. The source material is perfect for a visionary action filmmaker to take the reins.
Despite the stark difference between Ghost of Tsushima’s 1200s period setting and John Wick‘s modern world full of muscle cars and high-tech weaponry, there are a lot of similarities between the two projects, which is exactly why Chad Stahelski is perfect for the video game’s adaptation. With the John Wick movies, the former stunt coordinator turned director proved how great he is at world-building and shooting jaw-dropping action sequences, and he can apply that to a very different kind of movie with Ghost of Tsushima. The latest Ghost of Tsushima update from the director is the most exciting news about the movie yet but also comes with one big concern.
Ghost Of Tsushima Update Confirms Chad Stahelski Is Exactly What The Movie Needs
Chad Stahelski Says Ghost Of Tsushima Is One Of His Favorite Properties Of All Time
Chad Stahelshi was announced as the Ghost of Tsushima director in March 2021 without any concrete information since then. Stahelski is attached to several other upcoming projects in the wake of John Wick: Chapter 4, so there were concerns over the video game adaptation actually happening with him in the director’s chair anytime in the near future. However, Stahelski recently gave a Ghost of Tsushima update, which settled nerves and made the project sound even more exciting:
“We have a script, we’re very close to getting our s–t together on that, as well. Development is always tricky, it’s studios, it’s strikes, and availabilities, and scouting. You have to will things into existence. I think the two things that I am closest and most interested in are Highlander and Ghost of Tsushima. Both amazing, amazing properties. The story of Ghost is, also, one of my favorite properties of all time.”
While Stahelski is still attached to the Highlander reboot, the filmmaker noted that Ghost of Tsushima is one of his favorite stories of all time, which is a positive sign that the project is in the right hands and that Stahelski will deliver a faithful adaptation. Stahelski also showcased his Asian influences in John Wick: Chapter 4 with its extended section set in Osaka. This sequence shows cherry blossoms blowing in the wind with cello music playing underneath, which really captures the tone of Ghost of Tsushima. However, Stahelski needs to focus on not using Ghost of Tsushima to simply make another John Wick-influenced movie.
Why Ghost Of Tsushima Needs To Avoid Being Another John Wick Copycat
This is Chad Stahelski’s Opportunity To Show What Else He’s Capable Of
Even though it was a nigh-impossible task to outdo each previous John Wick movie with every consecutive follow-up — something that Chad Stahelski somehow achieved — Ghost of Tsushima is the director’s biggest challenge yet. Thanks to its gun-fu and complex action sequences, John Wick has become hugely influential in the realm of action movies, and a ton of action flicks that have borrowed heavily from the series. Even John Wick co-director David Leitch at first struggled to find a voice of his own by directing the very John Wick-influenced Atomic Blonde. In that respect, Stahelski needs to avoid using Ghost of Tsushima as just another vehicle for gun-fu.
Stahelski has only directed the four John Wick movies, so Ghost of Tsushima needs to showcase how he can work outside the tried-and-true formula of that franchise. Ghost of Tsushima can’t just be built on everything that made John Wick work so well. It has the potential to be a historical epic full of action and drama, and it needs to feel like a standalone piece of work as opposed to another action movie from the director of John Wick. The current cinematic landscape is littered with John Wick copycats, and Ghost of Tsushima has the potential to be much more than that.
How Ghost Of Tsushima Can Avoid Being Too Similar To John Wick
Chad Stahelski Needs To Include The GOT Video Game’s Stealth Combat & Seriousness
Chad Stahelski has already discussed that he wants Ghost of Tsushima to have an all-Japanese cast, which would be a huge step forward. Given that the video game is set in the 1200s, it will be aesthetically totally different from the John Wick franchise, too. Ghost of Tsushima also offers Stahelski the perfect way to develop and evolve as an action director, as the game is full of stealth sequences. Stealth combat is one of the very few things that wasn’t in John Wick’s skillset, so it’ll be exciting to see how the director incorporates covertness and vigilance into his action.
John Wick constantly falling from great heights and surviving might work within the over-the-top world of his franchise, but Ghost of Tsushima must have a greater sense of realism, at least when it comes to the world’s physics. Additionally, while John Wick often has sequences of comedy violence sprinkled into the franchise, such as the horse slaps in John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum and the 222 steps in John Wick: Chapter 4, Ghost of Tsushima should be more serious. However, given that Stahelski noted that he was invested in the Ghost of Tsushima story, the tone of the film is undoubtedly in safe hands.
Ghost of Tsushima
- Platform(s):
- PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
- Released:
- 2020-07-17
- Developer(s):
- sucker punch productions
- Publisher(s):
- Sony Interactive Entertainment
- Genre(s):
- Action, Open-World, Adventure
- Multiplayer:
- Online Co-Op
- ESRB:
- M
- Summary:
- The creators of the Sly Cooper franchise and Infamous shift gears with Ghost of Tsushima, an open-world action-adventure game. Set on the island of Tsushima, the invading Mongul armies arrive to begin their conquest of Japan. As Samurai fall in the wake of dishonorable war tactics, Jin Sakai learns that the only way to fight back will be to break expectations and walk the path of shadow. Jin will choose between the Samurai’s righteous path and the Ghost’s dark path. Players will traverse the sprawling island as they free citizens from invading rule and engage in fast-paced swordplay – or devastating stealth combat.
- How Long To Beat:
- 20 hours
- Expansion Packs :
- Iki Island, Ghost of Tsushima: Legends
- Legendary Edition Available:
- Ghost of Tsushima: Director’s Cut
- Mode:
- Single-Player, Multiplayer
