New faces of "Sanjuro"

A press conference was held at Toho Studio about the first-ever remake of Akira Kurosawa's classic in Japan, "Sanjuro", on Nov. 12.  See the photos on Cinema Topic Online.

The new "Sanjuro" is directed by Yoshimitsu Morita (Japan Academy Best Director winner in 2004 for "Like Ashura"), and Sanjuro will be played by Yuji Oda (the hero of "Bayside Shakedown" series).

The original "Sanjuro" is known as one of the most entertaining pieces among Akira Kurosawa + Toshiro Mifune masterpieces, full of humanistic and humorous elements, as well as the realistic bloodshed scene that was rare in the Japanese samurai movies of the time.  In the story, Sanjuro helps nine young samurais who fight to reveal the corruption of the government officials.

Morita decided to use the original screenplay as is, because "it is a great opportunity to introduce the past masterpiece to the young generation, and I believe it is quite meaningful to compare the original and the remake, to feel the history of J-movies.  It is a heavy duty to remake the Kurosawa film, but I believe the final film will live up to your expectations."

On casting, Morita commented, "heroes change over time.  My instinct told me Yuji Oda is the modern hero of today."  The new Sanjuro, Yuji Oda said, "there are lots of corruption and bullying problems nowadays, and I think the story that Sanjuro and young people stand against such a problem fits to the mood of the current generation.  Sometimes I am tempted to copy Mr. Mifune, but I am trying hard to express Yuji Oda's Sanjuro."

The villain Hanbei Muroto is played by Etsushi Toyokawa ("It's Only Talk"), the leader of the young samurai group by Kenichi Matsuyama ("Death Note" series), and other cast include many familiar faces such as Tamao Nakamura and Makoto Fujita.

"Sanjuro" is currently filming, and is scheduled to open in December 2007 in Japan.  The film is backed up by Toho, Kadokawa Haruki Office, and Avex.

Source:  Cinema Topic Online