TV commercial director Carl Rinsch has been picked to helm 47 RONIN with Keanu Reeves in the lead role. Rinsch, who is romantically involved with director Ridley Scott’s daughter, was originally attached to the latest film in the ALIENS franchise but word is that Fox preferred Scott so Rinsch found another mainstream project to make his directing debut.

47 RONIN will be Hollywood’s first attempt at telling the famous Japanese tale of how 47 ronin plotted and executed an assault on the home of an official to avenge their lord’s death. This version is being set up at Universal under producers Scott Stuber and Pamela Abdy.

Traditionally, the tale of the 47 ronin leans more towards the Japanese film genre of “jidai geki” rather than chambara, meaning that most filmic accounts of this real-life event are more dramatic than action-oriented. Yet in this case the script has been written by WANTED and FAST & FURIOUS scribe Chris Morgan, suggesting we may be in for more of an action-oriented take.

As for Rinsch, he has already established himself in the ad world for directing stylish, creative and futuristic TV spots for Mercedes and Heineken. It will be interesting to see what he does with a very well known, traditional Japanese tale, especially with Reeves in the lead.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter

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