For the first time in Japanese cinema history, an American-made film is being remade and released in Japan with award-winning director Lee Sang-il’s Japanese-language motion picture Yurusarezarumono, inspired by the Oscar-winning classic Unforgiven, directed by and starring Clint Eastwood. Released in the U.S. in 1992, Unforgiven was nominated for nine Academy Awards in 1993 and won four, including Best Picture. The announcement was made today by Richard Fox, Executive Vice President, International, Warner Bros. Entertainment, and William J. Ireton, President & Representative Director, Warner Entertainment Japan Inc.
Inspired by the Eastwood classic, writer/director Lee Sang-il (the Japan Academy Prize-winning film Villain, Hula Girls) shifts the setting to Japan in retelling the epic, adapting the Unforgiven screenplay by David Webb Peoples. The film stars an ensemble including some of Japan’s most acclaimed actors, led by Ken Watanabe (Letters from Iwo Jima, The Last Samurai) as Jubei Kamata, reinterpreting the role played by Clint Eastwood in the original, with Akira Emoto (Villain, Dr. Akagi) taking on the part played by Morgan Freeman, and Koichi Sato (Crest of Betrayal, What the Snow Brings) reprising Gene Hackman’s part.
San-Il is joined by cinematographer Norimichi Kasamatsu (Villain, Zatoichi: The Last), lighting engineer Koichi Watanabe (About Her Brother, Death Note), audio recording engineer Mitsugu Shiratori (Space Brothers, Villain), creative designer Mitsuo Harada (Terumae Romae, Canaries of the North(TBC)), and costume designer Kumiko Ogawa (O-oku, Villain).
Filming is set to commence in mid-September on location in Hokkaido. Yurusarezarumono is targeted for nationwide release in Japan in the fall of 2013.
Yurusarezarumono is set in Hokkaido around 1880, the start of the Meiji period following the collapse of the Edo shogunate, at a time when the Japanese government is attempting to open the land (then named Ezo) populated by the indigenous Ainu people.
In the shogunate’s waning days, Jubei Kamata (Watanabe), a former swordsman of the shogunate, slaughters countless rebels under orders, earning a fearsome reputation in Kyoto. Following the government’s collapse, he takes part in a succession of bloody battles culminating in the decisive battle at Goryokaku, then vanishes without a trace, eluding the determined efforts of the new government to capture him.
More than a decade later, Jubei lives on in desolate isolation as a frugal rancher with an Ainu woman as his wife and their children. However, his wife—who alone transformed a man whose only reason for existence was to kill—dies, leaving him to guard over her grave with their children in sparse austerity.
However, the man who vowed never to take sword again finds himself driven by poverty to once again join battle as a bounty hunter…
Together with a former comrade, he faces those convinced in their own justice. Another cycle of violence starts anew in another new era.
Men tossed in the wake of turbulent history stage their final battle in the immense natural environments of Hokkaido with exhilarating horseback action. The film’s scale will emulate the immensity of American westerns.
Clint Eastwood commented, “It’s an honor to know that Lee Sang-il and my good friend Ken Watanabe, with whom I worked closely on Letters from Iwo Jima, will be teaming on a Japanese rendition of Unforgiven.”
Director Lee Sang-il said, “It has been 20 years since the release of Unforgiven.
People wander between “good” and “evil,” no matter who you are—this is the theme, which lies within this film and it speaks deeply to us even today, still unable to end the vicious cycle of violence. It is my belief to create films that people can relate to—people who carry doubts and redemption, striving to be right, rather than people who insist he is right without any doubts. The original film is acclaimed to be the masterpiece of western films. I am thrilled, happy, and overwhelmed with pleasure to be given this opportunity, as director Clint Eastwood, whom I highly respect, is a filmmaker with an unprecedented talent. Ken Watanabe, a man with definite presence, that makes one think there is no one but him. Akira Enomoto, a man I’d like to call an old ally. Koichi Sato, a man who I had always wanted to work with for a long time. I strongly wish to create a film that will always be remembered, together with the help of the passion of above members and other wonderful cast and filmmakers.”
Ken Watanabe stated, “To me, director Clint Eastwood is like my father in the film industry and it will be challenging for me to remake one of his best known films. Together with director Lee, we’d like to build our Unforgiven in our own way in this vast land of Hokkaido.”
Akira Emoto said, “I am thrilled with joy to be able to take part in the prestigious retelling of the masterpiece, Unforgiven. As a member of the team presenting this film in this era, I cannot restrain my excitement. Please look forward to the completion of the final version, made by Mr. Ken Watanabe, Mr. Koichi Sato, Director Lee, and the team.”
Koichi Sato commented, “After reading the script, I felt such strength as though this is an original script, though it really is a remake of a well known film. I feel it is because director Lee Sang-il’s soul is embedded within. So, the rest is up to us to put our soul in each role and bring you a presentable piece.”
Ireton added, “I am proud to announce that Warner Japan’s Local production is about to launch a project which can only be accomplished by a major Hollywood studio. Unforgiven, an Academy Award-winning movie directed by Clint Eastwood, will be reborn as a Japanese film. Welcoming the most promising director in the Japanese film industry, Lee Sang-il, and globally acclaimed film star Ken Watanabe as lead cast, producing this film will definitely hold a significant meaning to our company. We are blessed and humbled to be given the chance of recreating this epic film in the 21st century as a Japanese film.”
Yurusarezarumono is scheduled for a Fall 2013 nationwide release in Japan.
