This will be act as prequel to Stan Sakai’s Usagi Yojimbo by telling the story of how Miyamoto Usagi became the great samurai he is. The film will simply follow the storyline of the same name from the comics, though some tweaking will be done.
The film will start with Usagi facing another samurai, Gunichi, in a field. After watching the two stare at each other, Usagi will begin to narrate his story to the audience. When Usagi was young, he and his companion Kenichi were sent off by Usagi’s father to attend the Dogora Fencing School. Kenichi follows as planned, but Usagi is impressed by the skills of the old lion, Katsuichi and seeks out his training.
It is months before Katsuichi will even take Usagi on as an actual student and many more months after before any “useful” training begins. Making a long story short, Usagi eventually passes through Katsuichi’s training and competes in a tournament held by Lord Mifune. Usagi wins the tournament by beating Kenichi and, impressed by the rabbit’s skills, Lord Mifune takes him on as one of his protectors.
Time passes by and one of Mifune’s enemies, Hikiji, makes an attack on his family. A great failure is felt by all when Mifune’s wife and child are killed. Mifune strikes back with an army in a battle that takes his life. Gunichi flees the battle like a coward, a dishonorable act at the least. It is with this that Usagi is left to take his fallen lord’s head to bury it someplace safe.
Usagi’s narrative ends and the film returns to him and Gunichi in the field. The film ends with the two samurai fighting each other. Usagi kills his former companion, avenging his lord for Gunichi’s dishonor. In the original story, Gunichi is killed first and Usagi tells the tale to Gennosuke as to why he did so. I see no reason for the Gen character to make an extra appearance when he’s not really needed.
Again, this film should have very vague colors or none at all as a tribute to the original comic. Motion capture and CGI would be used, but the film should appear as live-action. To be technical, I guess this is really a sequel because Usagi’s telling the story in a time after the first film, but most of the film is in the past so it can definitely be called a prequel.
Cast:
Miyamoto Usagi- Johnny Depp
I figure it’s best to explain my choices in casting from now on. I didn’t explain why I chose Depp in my cast for the first film, so I’m doing it now. Depp naturally has what I would call a loud whisper for a voice. That voice is perfect for Usagi. Along with that, Depp is a tremendous talent that can draw a crowd.
Kenichi- Ben Foster
Kenichi needs to be done as a skilled warrior, but also as a pathetic individual. After Usagi beats him in the tournament, Kenichi collapses into himself and becomes a pathetic drunk. Foster has the needed physical skills to play a warrior (the dude kicked ass in Alpha Dog) and he has the talent to play both a cocky opponent and a washed up loser. His voice also rings true to how I would imagine the character.
Young Usagi- ???
Young Kenichi- ???
I don’t know too many child actors, so these roles were left not cast. Likely, the parts will be played by unknown or relatively unknown child actors. Whatever the case may be, the boys need to have a high level of physicality and energy, as well as being able to play the parts. (I had considered Jaden Smith for Young Usagi, but I decided against it after casting Katsuichi).
Katsuichi- Jackie Chan
Jackie Chan can play the silent but deadly type (like my farts) and still has all of the skills needed. Katsuichi needs to be a somewhat abusive and eccentric teacher to Usagi and, having played a similar role in Karate Kid, Chan can pull it off. (Sorry I couldn’t find a better picture. That action figure should suffice, though, I think.)
Lord Mifune- Sho Kosugi
I can’t justify this choice too well, considering the only thing I’ve seen this guy in is Ninja Assassin. However, based on that performance alone, I’d say this was well cast.
Gunichi- Rain
Again, this choice was based solely on Rain’s badassery in Ninja Assassin. He kind of looks like a pussy here, but this is the only picture of Rain that didn’t threaten my heterosexuality.
Usagi’s Father- George Takei
Considering this is a small role, Takei is cast here just to put another recognizable name into the mix. However, as small as this role is, Usagi’s father helps to kick off the origin story and that is of great importance. (Again, I’m sorry for the lack of a better picture. If I had a scanner I could take the pictures right from my comics, but I don’t.)