This new report on the tonal direction of the live-action Lupin III movie should provide curious followers a few clues about the intentions of director Ryūhei Kitamura. An interview of his friend and fellow writer/director Take Yoshida is the source of the info. Yoshida said he's spoken with Kitamua about the production of the beloved anime and manga, particularly about whether it will be a period piece or if the characters will be set in present-day. Apparently, it's the latter according to Yoshida, who said Kitamura told him the following. "There's no meaning to a live-action film adaptation if you make the setting the same. I intend to change the characters themselves to make them modern. It would be nonsense for Goemon to exist in current society wearing samurai's garb and carrying around a katana."
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Lupin III (ルパン三世 Rupan Sansei), is a 1967 Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Monkey Punch (Katō Kazuhiko) that follows the incredible feats and adventures of Arsène Lupin III, the grandson of Arsène Lupin, the gentleman thief of Maurice Leblanc's series which is often described as a French counterpart to Arthur Conan Doyle's creation Sherlock Holmes. Considered the world's greatest thief, Lupin III, travels the globe, stealing priceless objects and announcing his intentions via calling card before pulling off the heist. Joining him are expert marksman and Lupin right-hand man right-hand man Daisuke Jige, master swordsman Goemon Ishikawa XIII who is said to possess a sword and skills that can cut anything and femme fatale Fujiko Mine, fellow thief and Lupin love interest. Pursuing them across the globe is Inspector Koichi Zenigata, who has made it his life mission to catch the master thief.
Shun Oguri will play the lead role of Lupin. Tetsuji Tamayama (Casshern) will play the pistol- wielding Daisuke Jigen, while Gou Ayano (Rurouni Kenshin) is playing the skilled swordsman Goemon Ishikawa. The seductive temptress and Lupin love-interest Fujiko Mine will be played by Meisa Kuroki (Crow Zero II). Actor Tadanobu Asano, last seen in Thor: The Dark World as Hogun the Grim, is playing Detective Kōichi Zenigata.Ryūhei Kitamura (Godzilla: Final Wars) is directing from a script written by Mataichirō Yamamoto (Crows Zero). Rounding out the cast are Jerry Yan (Meteor Garden) who is playing an original character named Michael Lee, a character described as an adversarial rival of Lupin's. Also starring are South Korean singer Kim Joon and Thailand actor Thanayong Wongtrakul (The Man from Nowhere). Filming is taking place in Japan and Thailand. The film will be released Summer 2014. |