Derek Connolly, renowned for his work on the blockbuster Jurassic World franchise, has been tapped to write the live-action adaptation of Sega’s classic video game Eternal Champions for Skydance. This collaboration marks another significant step in bringing beloved video game franchises to the big screen.
Skydance, the production company known for its impressive portfolio of action-packed films, has assembled a strong team to bring Eternal Champions to life. David Ellison, Dana Goldberg, and Don Granger will produce the project for Skydance, while Toru Nakahara, a key figure behind the successful adaptation of Sega’s Sonic the Hedgehog franchise, will produce on behalf of Sega. This collaboration between Skydance and Sega highlights the potential of Eternal Champions as a major cinematic event.
Rob Ree, credited with facilitating the partnership between Skydance and Sega, will serve as executive producer. Aimee Rivera, representing Skydance, will oversee the project.
Originally released in 1993 for the Sega Genesis, Eternal Champions was a fighting game that stood out for its imaginative and complex storyline. The game’s narrative revolves around the titular Eternal Champion, a mysterious being who seeks to alter Earth’s dire fate by organizing a contest of champions. This being resurrects key individuals from various points in history—figures who were destined for greatness but met untimely deaths. These champions, ranging from a 1920s cat burglar to a prehistoric hunter, must fight to the death. The winner earns the chance to fulfill their destiny and restore balance to the world, while the others return to the moment of their original death.
Eternal Champions was praised for its diverse cast of characters, each hailing from different eras and possessing unique abilities. Notable characters include Blade, a Syrian bounty hunter from 2030 AD; Larcen, a 1920s cat burglar; Slash, a prehistoric hunter from 50,000 BC; and Jetta, a Russian noblewoman turned acrobat from the early 20th century. The variety of characters and their intriguing backstories added depth to the game, making it a standout title among its peers in the fighting game genre.
The adaptation of Eternal Champions signals a continued interest in bringing iconic video games to the silver screen, following the success of other franchises like Sonic the Hedgehog. With Connolly’s proven track record in handling large-scale, action-driven narratives and the combined expertise of Skydance and Sega, fans of the original game and newcomers alike can anticipate a thrilling and visually spectacular film.
As the project progresses, it will be interesting to see how Connolly and the production team translate the game’s complex narrative and diverse characters into a live-action format. The film promises to offer a fresh take on the classic video game, potentially paving the way for more adaptations of beloved Sega properties.