Sega’s ‘Rent-A-Hero’ Video Game Getting Movie Adaptation By ‘Hot Tub Time Machine’ Director Steve Pink
It was probably only a matter of time before someone succeeded in bringingWarcraftorAssassin’s Creedto the big screen, and it shouldn’t come as any surprise that adaptations of titles likeSonic the Hedgehog,Minecraft, andTomb Raiderare in the works as well. They’re all big names with built-in fanbases that will (fingers crossed) turn up opening weekend to see how things turned out. But Sega’s next game-to-movie effort is a bit more unexpected.
Steve Pink(Hot Tub Time Machine) will direct a movie based onRent-a-Hero, the 1991 Sega game. If you’re wondering what it is and why you’ve never heard of it, the answer to the second question is that it was never actually released in the U.S. The answer to the first is that the movie will center around a startup that’s basically “Uber for heroes.”
Released in Japan in 1991,Rent-a-Herofollowed Taro Yamada, a young man who orders a pizza and accidentally receives cutting-edge combat armor instead. He puts on the gear and decides to become a hero for hire, taking on random odd jobs and heroic tasks for his hometown. The game was remade in 2000 and there were plans for a U.S. release, but those fell through.
TheRent-a-Heromovie sounds a little bit different from the source material. According toThe Hollywood Reporter, it centers on a brilliant slacker who joins a tech startup that’s like Uber, but for heroes instead of drivers. When our protagonist discovers that his bosses are planning to weaponize the technology, he and his co-workers join forces to stop them.
In addition to directing, Pink will also write the script withJeff Morris, who wroteGrumpy Cat’s Worst Christmas Everand Kevin James' upcoming Netflix movieThe True Memoirs of an International Assassin. BesidesHot Tub Time Machine, Pink’s directing credits includeAccepted, theAbout Last Nightremake, andHot Tub Time Machine 2. As a screenwriter, he has worked onHigh FidelityandGrosse Point Blank.
Pink’s official statement should give you some idea of the tone of the new film:
As SEGA fans, we are excited to dive into the near future with these Rent a Heroes, and explore what it means to be an everyday hero in a comedic, high-energy, action adventure.
Stories International (the production arm of Sega Group and Hakuhodo DY Group) will produce along withMarc Platt(Drive,Scott Pilgrim vs. the World).Evan J. Cholfinwill executive produce. Stories International presidentTomoya Suzukisaid:
‘Rent a Hero’ is high-concept video game, yet has a very important theme we believe audiences today can connect with—we can help our society at our own capacities. We found the perfect creative team in Steve and Jeff to bring this unique action adventure based on one of our favorite SEGA titles to life as a feature film.
Honestly, it’s not a bad premise for a movie. And in fact, this property’s relative obscurity could turn out to be a good thing. As withthatFlatlinersremake, there’s little risk of pissing off a devoted fanbase, so the filmmakers could feel free to do their own thing with the concept.
Rent-a-Herois one of several titles Sony is trying to turn into films, shows, or digital series, along withGolden Axe,Virtua Fighter, andThe House of the Dead. No start date, release date, or cast has been announced for theRent-a-Heromovie.
