Justin Lin’s hiatus didn’t last long after his unexpected departure from Fast X. Deadline reports that the popular action director is directing a adaptation of One-Punch Man, the beloved anime and manga about a superhero named Saitama who decides to seek out a worthy opponent after getting bored.
Lin is working with Sony Pictures on the new movie, who are reportedly “bullish” on One-Punch Man becoming a franchise, according to Deadline. Scott Rosenberg and Jeff Pinker, who count Jumanji: The Next Level and Venom among their credits, will write the new movie.
One Punch Man will join a host of live-action anime adaptations that also include One Piece, Mobile Suit Gundam, and other projects. A Cowboy Bebop adaptation also launched on Netflix in 2021 only to be canceled after just one season.
As for One Punch Man, it got its start as a manga in Shonen Jump, with popular anime studio Madhouse producing an adaptation that began in 2015. We called it one of the best anime for beginners.
Lin suddenly departed Fast X earlier this year amid reported conflicts over the script and a major blowup with star Vin Diesel. Lin has remained as a producer, but his new role as One-Punch Man’s director suggests he has other priorities.
Fast X is slated to release on May 19, while One-Punch Man does not yet have a release date.
Kat Bailey is a Senior News Editor at IGN as well as co-host of Nintendo Voice Chat. Have a tip? Send her a DM at @the_katbot.