Netflix to Adapt 3 SEGA Games Including 'Stranger Than Heaven

Netflix and SEGA have partnered to adapt three SEGA gaming IPs for the screen: 'Crazy Taxi', 'Sonic', and 'Stranger Than Heaven'.

On the 15th (KST), Netflix announced that it is collaborating with SEGA to produce multiple video projects based on SEGA's gaming IPs. This adaptation slate will showcase a variety of genres, styles, and formats, including live-action comedy, crime drama, and animation.

As the first project, Crazy Taxi will be adapted into a live-action film. The screenplay will be written by Dan Gregor and Doug Mand, the writing duo behind the 2025 reboot of 'The Naked Gun'. In addition, Neal H. Moritz and Toby Ascher—who led the successful Sonic film series—will produce alongside SEGA's Toru Nakahara.

Crazy Taxi is a game series that first debuted in arcades in 1999. Players step into the shoes of a taxi driver racing against the clock through chaotic city streets. It is characterized by its signature high-energy charm, where players weave between vehicles and execute spectacular jumps. The new entry in the series, 'Crazy Taxi: World Tour', is scheduled to release in 2027.

Sonic will be produced as a new animated series. Aimed at a preschool audience, the project positions Sonic and his friends as heroes, with Carlos Stevens and Toru Nakahara participating in production. The series aims to deliver an energetic, fun, and heartwarming story that lets children feel as though Sonic and his friends are their own crew.

Stranger Than Heaven, currently in development by RGG Studio, will also be adapted into a live-action film. Set in early 20th-century Japan, the game depicts the story of protagonist Makoto Daito as he grows from a poor outcast into a feared yakuza and eventually a mogul in the entertainment industry. However, as the game has not yet been released, detailed information about what specific storyline the movie will cover has not been disclosed. Toru Nakahara will serve as producer.

Brandon Riegg, Vice President of Nonfiction and Transmedia at Netflix, stated, "Great games already have what every adaptation is chasing—characters people love, worlds they know by heart, and fandoms that show up". He added, "With Crazy Taxi, Sonic, and Stranger Than Heaven, we get to work across three completely different eras of SEGA's catalog, celebrating everything fans love while introducing them to new audiences".

Shuji Utsumi, President and COO of SEGA, expressed, "We've watched Netflix take on stories across every kind of format and treat each one with real craft, and seeing that same dedication applied to Sonic, Crazy Taxi, and Stranger Than Heaven is something we at SEGA are incredibly proud to be a part of". He explained the background of the collaboration, adding, "The fandoms of these games deserve storytelling that honors what makes each title special, and we know Netflix shares that commitment".

Toru Nakahara, Executive Producer at SEGA, shared his thoughts, saying, "Expect something cute yet cool for Sonic, hilariously crazy for Crazy Taxi, and a badass action drama for Stranger Than Heaven". He added, "We've got some amazing creative ideas lined up and we are just getting started".

This article was originally written in Korean and translated with the help of AI. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom. [Read Original]

• NEWS
• EDITORS-PICK
• STRANGER THAN HEAVEN

Soojin "Eonn" Kim

[email protected]