Warner Bros. Japan to adapt 47 Ronin

As their first local production, Warner Bros. Japan will produce a big-budget adaptation of the classic tale of 47 Ronin, also known as “Chushingura.” This famous story is based on real events in the 18th century and has been adapted to film no less than 13 times since 1908 and provided the basis for 30 TV productions since the 1950s.

The Warner Bros. Japan version will be adapted from Shoichiro Ikemiya’s 1994 novel “Saigo no Chushingura” with Shigemichi Sugita attached as director. Sugita is best known for directing the long-running TV drama KITA NO JUNI KARA.

CHUSHINGURA tells the story of how 47 Ronin raided a government official’s mansion to avenge the persecution of their lord despite knowing beforehand that such an act would result in facing death by ritual suicide.

Koji Yakusho and Koichi Sato will star as survivors of the attack.

Production is set to begin November 8 while Warner is planning the release in January of 2011.

In producing their first local film, Warner Bros. Japan is building on the global success of previous co-productions THE LAST SAMURAI and LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA. The company intends to distribute the film internationally.

Source: Screen Daily