EXCLUSIVE: Netflix has come on to the feature adaptation of the Slocap’s popular video game SIFU and tapped T.S. Nowlin to pen adaptation. Insiders add Chad Stahelski and his 87Eleven banner have joined Story Kitchen as producers. He will produce along with his partners Jason Spritz and Alex Young as will Dmitri M. Johnson and Mike Goldberg are producing for Story Kitchen.
Based on the videogame developed & published by Sloclap,, the game tells a story of revenge set in modern-day China. It follows the student of a martial arts school’s master (Sifu) as he seeks to avenge the murder of his mentor. The twist, however, is that thanks to a magical talisman, each time our hero dies, he’s resurrected, but the price paid is that he ages with every use. And should he become too old too fast, his death shall become permanent, and his quest unfulfilled.
Timothy I.Stevenson & Elena Sandoval are executive producing. Jeff Ludwig is also executive producing alongside Sloclap’s Jordan Layani and Pierre Tarno.
Within the first three weeks of the game’s release, SIFU sold over 1MM games; and is separately nominated for ‘Best Independent Game,’ ‘Best Fighting Game,’ and ‘Best Action Game’ for the upcoming ‘The Game Awards’ (December 8th, 2022).
No stranger to helping launch tentpole size franchises, Nowlin is best known for adapting The Maze Runner franchise and also recently penned the hit Netflix film The Adam Project. He is repped by CAA, Entertainment 360 and McKuin Frankel Whitehead LLP.
Stahelski’s 87Eleven Entertainment has various film projects in development including Highlander for Lionsgate with Henry Cavill; Ghost of Tsushima (Sony/Play Station) based on the action-adventure game set in feudal Japan; Rainbow Six based on the Tom Clancy novel and starring Michael B. Jordan; an adaptation of the popular Black Samurai novels (Netflix); an adaptation of Trevanian’s Shibumi (Warner Bros.) and Man From Nowhere (NewLine). Stahelski and 87Eleven Entertainment are repped by WME and attorney Tara Kole,
Story Kitchen is the company is behind high-profile adaptations such as Tomb Raider, Just Cause, Streets of Rage and Shinobi. The is also bringing acclaimed indie games to the screen, including ‘Game of the Year’ winner It Takes Two and Ruiner. Story Kitchen is repped by WME and Pryor Cashman.
