In a sequel announcement we’re not entirely sure anybody asked for, Taken screenwriter Robert Mark Kamen has been tapped to write The Sword, based on the novel The 47th Samurai by Stephen Hunter. The book the fourth in a series of novels about sniper Bob Lee Swagger. The first book in Hunter’s franchise, Point of Impact, was previously adapted into 2007’s Shooter, a modestly successful action thriller starring Mark Wahlberg and directed by Antoine Fuqua.
The Sword takes place in Japan, where Swagger is delivering a rare and valuable sword his father won at The Battle of Iwo Jima. It turns out that the sword is more valuable than Swagger thought, placing him at odds with the Yakuza, forcing him to adapt to Japanese culture and, in effect, “becoming a samurai.”
Hollywood Reporter announced that The Sword will be produced by New Regency, which was not involved with Shooter. New Regency could be attempting to make a standalone film, free of the previous Stephen Hunter adaptation, and it’s unknown whether Wahlberg will be pursued to resume his role of Bob Lee Swagger, or if he would be free to do so. It might be a good idea for him to try: Wahlberg’s solo action efforts are rarely memorable (Max Payne, Contraband, Planet of the Apes), while Robert Mark Kamen has been responsible for such hits as the original Karate Kid, The Fifth Element, Taken and the Transporter franchise.
CraveOnline will be back with more The Sword news after we go prone.
