Poster For Japanese Remake Of UNFORGIVEN Starring Ken Wantanabe

Ken Watanabe To Star In Japanese Remake Of UNFORGIVEN

Variety reports that Japanese actor Ken Watanabe (Batman Begins, Inception, Last Samurai) will star in Warner Bros. Japan's remake of Clint Eastwood's Oscar winning western epic Unforgiven titled Yurusarezaru Mono. The film will be re-envisioned with samurai instead of grizzled cowboys. The original dealt with a retired gun fighter/killer hired for one last bloody job. Ken will be in the lead with Lee Sang-il directing. Everyone should keep an eye out for this one as it will likely end up becoming awards bait when it's released.

For as long as Japanese cinema has been around Hollywood has been remaking classic samurai films as western adaptations. It's going to be very interesting to see how this one will turn out as it comes from the same Japanese studio that gave us Outrage.

Justin Lin Could Direct Lone Wolf And Cub Reboot

If you don't recognize the manga Lone Wolf And Cub you might better know the Japanese TV series that would eventually become the Shogun Assassin films. The film is referenced in Kill Bill Vol.2 and highly influenced the action scenes in Kill Bill Vol.1. At one point Darren Aronofsky (Black Swan, Noah) was working on his own adaptation but the rights reverted and he moved on from the project.

There is word from Deadline that the remake/reboot is now back in the works with Justin Lin (Fast Five) attached to direct with David and Janet Peoples (Unforgiven, Blade Runner, 12 Monkeys) handling the script. I wouldn't hold my breath about Lin as he previously attached himself to Highlander and Terminator 5 only to exit. Let's just hope they keep the gore intact and don't end up making a watered down PG-13 film.