Four of Keanu Reeves' '47 Ronin' Cast - Four Actors Join Keanu Reeves in 47 Ronin - Reeves to star in 3D fantasy '47 Ronin'

Four of Keanu Reeves' '47 Ronin' Cast
By Daniel Hubschman , Hollywood.com Staff | Tuesday, March 01, 2011


Carl Erik Rinsch made a huge splash in the advertising industry with his high-concept storytelling. That brought Hollywood to his doorstep and he was quickly attached to a handful of exciting science fiction and fantasy projects (Logan's Run and The Creature From The Black Lagoon among others) that were too pricey for established action directors to work on. We've been hearing his name for years now but haven't seen one of his films go into production. So when he was hired by Universal Pictures to helm 47 Ronin, a period-set samurai flick with Keanu Reeves headlining, I was skeptical about its priority at the studio.


Now it seems the project is finally getting underway as Variety reports that a quartet of foreign actors have been cast. Right off the bat, I'm stoked about Asian actors playing Japanese characters. I'm glad that Universal isn't pulling a Last Airbender and hiring SoCal American's to play hardened feudal warriors. Authenticity will be in tact in this film and I'm enthusiastic, especially since there are a few bad-ass actors involved. Let's have a look.


First we have Tadanobu Asano, who is perhaps best known for his leading role in Takashi Miike's Ichi the Killer as well as the lauded Mongol. He'll become even more recognizable this year when he co-stars in Thor and will have two big Universal films to open in 2012 (including this one) because he's got a part in Peter Berg's Battleship. Next up is Rinko Kikuchi, a feisty little thing who was seen showing her hoo-ha in Babel and added international flavor to Rian Johnson's The Brothers Bloom. Most geek worthy is Hiroyuki Sanada, who appeared in The Last Samurai, Rush Hour 3, Speed Racer and the final season of ABC's Lost as an enigmatic protector of the island known only as Dogen. Finally we have Kou Shibasaki, a singing sensation who made her film debut in Kinji Fukasaku's acclaimed Battle Royale. Have a look at them all below (thanks to CS for the photo mash-up).




You may not be familiar with all of these actors, but that's not the point. The point is that the the famous fact-based story about a band of samurai swordsmen who avenge the death of their master in 18th Century Japan will look and feel like a genuine period piece, not just a soulless Hollywood product. Chris Morgan (Wanted, Fast Five) penned the screenplay for this epic actioner, which is on course to release on November 11th, 2012 in 3D.
Source: Variety


http://www.hollywood.com/news/Four_of_Keanu_Reeves_47_Ronin_Cast/7768366






Four Actors Join Keanu Reeves in 47 Ronin
Mar 01, 2011 - By Krystal Clark
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Do you remember hearing about Keanu Reeves starring in an epic Asian drama? You don’t? Does the name 47 Ronin sound familiar to you? Still nothing? OK, here’s the deal: a couple years ago Reeves started developing a feature film based on a famous story about a group of Japanese samurais. The project went through its fair share of pitfalls but the actor has stayed on board and according to Variety, the film is picking up speed.




The trade reports that four actors have joined the cast of 47 Ronin, and they include Tadanobu Asano, Rinko Kikuchi, Hiroyuki Sanada and Kou Shibasaki. Most of these actors aren’t recognizable to American audiences. The only one we’re familiar with is Hiroyuki Sanada, and that’s because he appeared on the final season of “Lost” where he played Dogen. Everyone else is a blank slate to us.


In the film Reeves will play the lead role, which was written with him in mind by Chris Morgan and Hossein Amini. The plot will center on a band of samurai swordsmen who avenge the death of their master in 18th century Japan.


What do you think of the cast of 47 Ronin? Are you familiar with anyone besides Reeves?


http://screencrave.com/2011-03-01/four-actors-join-keanu-reeves-in-47-ronin/

Reeves to star in 3D fantasy '47 Ronin'

Published: March. 1, 2011 at 10:30 PM

LOS ANGELES, March 1 (UPI) -- Universal Pictures says Keanu Reeves will lead the cast of "47 Ronin," an epic 3D fantasy-adventure based on a classic Japanese tale.
Principal photography is scheduled to begin March 14. The Hollywood studio did not say where the movie will be filmed.
Reeves will play Kai, an outcast who joins Oishi, played by Hiroyuki Sanada, the leader of the warrior group 47 Ronin.
"Together they seek vengeance upon the treacherous overlord who killed their master and banished their kind. To restore honor to their homeland, the warriors embark upon a quest that challenges them with a series of trials that would destroy ordinary warriors," Universal said in a synopsis Tuesday.
"The Gift" director Carl Erik Rinsch is helming the picture, which will co-star Kou Shibasaki, Tadanobu Asano and Rinko Kikuchi.
"47 Ronin" marks Reeves's first starring role on the big-screen since 2008's "The Day the Earth Stood Still."




Read more: http://www.upi.com/Entertainment_News/Movies/2011/03/01/Reeves-to-star-in-3D-fantasy-47-Ronin/UPI-10761299036639/