Davis Films has acquired the movie rights to Golgo 13, Takao Saito's long-running action manga about an assassin with a strict personal code. Davis, which was involved in such adaptations as Resident Evil and Silent Hill, envisions the property as a big-screen franchise.

The longest-running manga still in publication, Golgo 13 has sold more than 200 million copies worldwide since its introduction in 1968. It stars Golgo 13, aka Duke Togo, a professional killer with a mysterious past who uses a customized M16 rifle to fulfill his contracts.

“We are unbelievably excited about this great property, and the opportunity to bring it to the big screen, “Davis Films co-owner Samuel Hadida said in a statement. “I have long admired Takao Saito’s great work as one of the top gekiga style artists.  We are looking forward to bringing his style sensibilities and this great character to worldwide film audiences.”

Golgo 13 already has spawned two live-action movie adaptations, released in 1973 and 1977, as well as two animated films and an animated television series.