Live-action adaptations of popular manga properties will still have their space going forward with an upcoming new take on Kodansha publication, The Tiger Mask. Variety’s Nick Vivarelli reported on Monday the development of the film via Rome-based Fabula Pictures and Brandon Box in Milan, alongside Kodansha.
Penned by Ikki Kajiwara and inked by Naoki Tsuji, The Tiger Mask launched in 1968 with the story of Naoto Date, a heel wrestler who, after garnering success in America, returns home inspired and with the hope of becoming a heroic wrestler. That goal becomes par for the course as Date is forced to battle old foes from his former organization, the Tiger’s Den.
The film marks the latest adaptation of the manga following two animated features released in 1970 from Toei by director Takeshi Tamiya who also shepherded the 1969 animated series. The latest iteration in live action starred Eiji Wentz in 2013‘s The Tiger Mask under the stewardship of director Ken Ochiai.
Cast and crew details on the new film remain pending. Read more at Variety.
Lead pic: Kodansha
