Sung Kang, Fast & Furious Actor, Eyes Director's Chair for Initial D.

Fast & Furious star Sung Kang recently revealed exciting plans to bring a new street-racing franchise to the big screen.

In a recent interview with the South China Morning Post, Kang shared that he has two potential projects in the pipeline, one of which is a live-action adaptation of Shūichi Shigeno’s renowned manga, Initial D.

While the project is yet to receive the green light, Kang enthusiastically mentioned on his Car Stories podcast that he’s actively engaged in developing the film and is aspiring to take on the role of director.

Kang expressed that this cinematic endeavor will be a thrilling ode to the world of cars, drifting, and all things cool, resembling iconic films like Rocky or Karate Kid. It’s envisioned as a fun, high-budget production that will truly encapsulate his profound passion for automobiles. If the project gets the go-ahead, this would mark Kang’s third venture as a director.

Shigeno first introduced his original manga in Kodansha’s Young Magazine back in July 1995. This manga subsequently led to an animated adaptation in 1998, along with various original video anime (OVA) releases and films. Kodansha USA is set to release a new omnibus edition of the manga, featuring fresh translations and lettering, in the spring of 2024.

Notably, the manga previously served as the inspiration for a 2005 live-action film, directed by Andrew Lau and Alan Mak, starring Jay Chou and Anne Suzuki.