Updates about Sony Pictures' plans for a live-action One Punch Man movie have been few and far between for a while now, but based on a new story from The Hollywood Reporter (via AnimeMojo.com), the project just took a big step forward.
According to the trade, the studio has enlisted Rick and Morty scribes Dan Harmon and Heather Anne Campbell to rewrite the screenplay. Justin Lin remains attached to direct, though his increasingly busy schedule - which includes Amazon and MGM's crime thriller Stakehorse - will surely take him out of the running to helm Spider-Man 4 for Marvel Studios.
Lin seems a good fit for One Punch Man, especially as he has plenty of experience in the action realm after helming multiple Fast & Furious movies and Star Trek Beyond.
What's led to Harmon and Campbell coming on board One Punch Man? It may have something to do with the fact Lin previously helmed a few episodes of the Harmon-created Community, not to mention the fact Harmon is in high demand in Hollywood.
Original plans called for this manga adaptation to begin at the end of 2022. For whatever reason, work stalled, though Avi Arad and his son, Ari, remain attached to produce. Details beyond that are scarce, though fans are hoping it stays faithful to the Japanese superhero manga series created by One.
After debuting as a webcomic, One Punch Man was later adapted into a manga series with illustrations by Yusuke Murata. It has also been adapted into an anime series, which gained significant popularity both in Japan and internationally.
The story follows Saitama, a seemingly average man who decides to become a superhero for fun. After rigorous training, Saitama becomes so powerful that he can defeat any opponent with a single punch, hence the title "One Punch Man." Despite his incredible strength, Saitama grows bored and disillusioned with his superhero career because he finds no challenge in fighting weak enemies.
Throughout the series, Saitama encounters various heroes, villains, and monsters, but he often dispatches them effortlessly, leading to a sense of comedic absurdity. Despite his overwhelming power, Saitama struggles with finding recognition and fulfilment as a hero.
The series is known for its satirical take on the superhero genre, poking fun at common tropes and conventions while also delivering spectacular action sequences. One Punch Man has received widespread critical acclaim across all genres.
Only time will tell whether this movie becomes a reality, though we'd say Harmon and Campbell's involvement bodes well. Of course, if you're not a Rick and Morty fan, this news might not be welcomed, particularly after what writers from that show have brought to the MCU.