The popular Japanese manga Golgo 13 has been snapped up by Samuel Hadida’s Davis Films to be turned into a string of feature films. Davis Films’ previously adapted Silent Hill and Resident Evil from Japanese properties, and Hadida believes Golgo 13 has the same franchise potential.
Golgo 13 is Japan’s longest-running manga and was written/illustrated by Takao Saito.
“We are unbelievably excited about this great property, and the opportunity to bring it to the big screen,“ Hadida stated in the official announcement. “I have long admired Takao Saito’s great work as one of the top gekiga style artists. We are looking forward to bringing his style sensibilities and this great character to worldwide film audiences.”
More on Golgo 13 [Courtesy of Davis Films]
Golgo 13 was introduced in 1968, and the manga series, including compilation books, has sold over 200 million copies worldwide. It has been made into two live action films (the first starring Ken Takakura and the second starring Sonny Chiba), two animated films, a television series, and various video games. Leed Publishing serves as Saito’s representative and has overseen worldwide licensing of all rights to his work.
Golgo 13, otherwise known as ‘Duke Togo,’ is a hired gun sniper with unbelievable combat skills, a cross between Dirty Harry and James Bond. He is a professional assassin with a strict personal code that makes him a modern day samurai. His world of contract killing is not unlike the complex world of espionage.
Source: Davis Films – September 10, 2011
