Dan Harmon and Justin Lin Confirmed to Be Pushing the One-Punch Man Live-Action Movie Forward at Sony

The long, multi-year wait for an update on the live-action One-Punch Man film is finally over, and the news confirms that the highly anticipated adaptation is not just alive, but actively being shaped by a powerhouse creative team at Sony Pictures.

The project, which seeks to bring the iconic manga/anime hero Saitama to the big screen, remains firmly in development. Most crucially, director Justin Lin—the veteran filmmaker behind some of the most successful installments of the Fast & Furious franchise—is still attached to helm the movie. Lin's involvement signals that the production is aiming for the kind of massive, high-octane action spectacle the source material demands.

Perhaps the most exciting update for fans concerns the direction of the script. The original writing team has been replaced by a pair of renowned comedy writers: Rick and Morty co-creator Dan Harmon and series writer Heather Anne Campbell.

This shift strongly suggests that Sony is prioritizing the unique blend of superhero satire and deadpan comedy that defines the One-Punch Man universe. The story centers on Saitama, a hero whose immense power allows him to defeat any enemy with a single punch, leaving him in a state of existential boredom. Harmon's signature narrative style, often involving meta-commentary, deconstruction of genre tropes, and the application of his 'Story Circle' to complex character journeys, is an ideal fit for Saitama’s struggles with being too powerful.

Lin's recent decision to step away from other potential directing projects further underscores his commitment to One-Punch Man. While he is also working on the cinematic adaptation of the Helldivers 2 video game for Sony, his continuity with the studio could help the team finally push through the project's extended development phase.

A Long Development is a Good Sign

First announced in 2020, the live-action movie has been taking its time, a factor that might actually benefit the final product. Hollywood's history with anime and manga adaptations is famously mixed, featuring critical highs like Netflix's One Piece and Alice in Borderland, alongside notable disappointments like Cowboy Bebop and Knights of the Zodiac.

The extended development timeline allows the creative team, which includes veteran producer Avi Arad, to meticulously learn from the successes and failures of their predecessors. By taking a more measured and careful approach, Lin and the writers can ensure that the film successfully translates the source material's spectacular visuals—originally drawn by the incredibly detailed artist Yusuke Murata—while preserving the heart and humor of ONE’s story. The current status confirms that after a year of rewrites, the studio is happy with the new direction and the film is still a key priority for Sony’s upcoming slate.