Keanu Reeves stars in samurai movie "47 Ronin"
- 10 years ago
Keanu Reeves is back as a samurai in “47 Ronin”, a movie inspired by a classic Japanese folktale.
Based on the true story of a group of samurais seeking revenge for the death of their master, the film is the latest in a long number of fictionalised accounts of this historical event, commonly referred to as “Chushingura” in Japan.
Launched in the Japanese capital Tokyo, “Ronin 47” is the tale’s first Hollywood adaptation. It is US director Carl Rinsch’s feature debut.
“For us, it was about taking the essence of the “Chushingura” and re-telling the story of the 47 Ronin in a dramatic way that made it our own, as Western film makers. We had such an amazing cast of Japanese talent, that helped us translate that story and allow us to take that story and see it through Hollywood blockbuster eyes,” said the director.
The cast includes a score of Japanese A-list actors, including actress and singer Ko Shibasaki, who plays Reeves’ love interest.
“He is a Hollywood star, I thought I would be nervous meeting him. But he was so friendly from the first time we met, so that took the pressure off,” she said.
Shot between Budapest, London and Japan, “47 Ronin” is out now in Japan and scheduled to hit cinema theatres around the world in time for Christmas.
Based on the true story of a group of samurais seeking revenge for the death of their master, the film is the latest in a long number of fictionalised accounts of this historical event, commonly referred to as “Chushingura” in Japan.
Launched in the Japanese capital Tokyo, “Ronin 47” is the tale’s first Hollywood adaptation. It is US director Carl Rinsch’s feature debut.
“For us, it was about taking the essence of the “Chushingura” and re-telling the story of the 47 Ronin in a dramatic way that made it our own, as Western film makers. We had such an amazing cast of Japanese talent, that helped us translate that story and allow us to take that story and see it through Hollywood blockbuster eyes,” said the director.
The cast includes a score of Japanese A-list actors, including actress and singer Ko Shibasaki, who plays Reeves’ love interest.
“He is a Hollywood star, I thought I would be nervous meeting him. But he was so friendly from the first time we met, so that took the pressure off,” she said.
Shot between Budapest, London and Japan, “47 Ronin” is out now in Japan and scheduled to hit cinema theatres around the world in time for Christmas.