Takeshi Kaneshiro and Masami Nagasawa work on a kiss scene

Takeshi Kaneshiro (Gum Sing Mo) and Japanese star Masami Nagasawa starred in the John Woo (Ng Yu Sum) directed new film THE CROSSING (TAI PING LUN). Earlier they worked on location on an isolated hill in Huairou. Reportedly they were working on a passionate kiss scene in a cavern. In the film they had a life and death romance. around 7:30AM, Gum Sing Mo left his hotel. He was dressed so casually that the Mainland media joked that he was collecting for the electric company. Later he went to the location. After changing into his costume, drizzle began. He carried an umbrella and entered the cavern. Then Masami Nagasawa also arrived and displayed a sweet smile. Seemingly she and Gum Sing Mo were working pleasantly. Ng Yu Sum looked serious on the set and later entered the cavern to direct the shoot personally.

courtesy of mingpao.com

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Mao Inoue to play murder suspect in Yoshihiro Nakamura’s “Shirayukihime Satsujin Jiken”

Mao Inoue is set to play a woman suspected of murder in Yoshihiro Nakamura’s Shirayukihime Satsujin Jiken (lit. Snow White Murder Case), the latest film adaptation of a novel by author Kanae Minato (Confessions, A Chorus of Angels).

The story was originally serialized in the magazine Shōsetsu Subaru as various accompanying information was uploaded to Shueisha’s literary website Renzaburo. Because of this experiment, the novelization became a hot topic early on and offers began flooding in for a live-action adaptation before it was even published.

In the film, Inoue will play an office worker at a cosmetics company named Shirono Miki who everyone suspects of having murdered her beautiful co-worker, Noriko Miki. Soon, a tabloid television program is broadcast featuring interviews with various people including co-workers, family members, former classmates, and people from Noriko’s hometown as rumors about her begin to multiply at a staggering rate thanks to the intense media attention and the rapid sharing of gossip on the internet.

Go Ayano, who just finished shooting his latest film Soko nomi nite Hikari Kagayaku on Monday, will play the director of the TV show, Yuji Akahoshi.

Filming of “Shirayukihime Satsujin Jiken” is expected to take place throughout Nagano from July 9 to August. It will be released by Shochiku in Japan next spring.

Source: Eiga.com

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Koji Seto and Kie Kitano to star in live-action “Boku wa Tomodachi ga Sukunai” film

On Thursday, Toei revealed that Koji Seto and Kie Kitano will be starring in the upcoming live-action film adaptation of Yomi Hirasaka’s popular light novel series Boku wa Tomodachi ga Sukunai, aka Haganai (official abbreviation).

The original novel series, which has reached a total circulation of 5.55 million copies since it began in 2009, revolves around two main characters who form a special club for people who are social outcasts like themselves. It was later adapted to several manga and anime series.

The film version will be directed by up-and-comer Takuro Oikawa, who also adapted the screenplay.

Seto plays Kodaka Hasegawa, a teenager who has extremely light hair due to being half british on his mother’s side and fierce eyes. Because of this, other students assume he’s a delinquent and avoid him. Kitano plays Yozora Mikazuki, a mean girl with a sullen expression who seems to drive everyone away. One day, shy Kodaka overhears Yozora talking to an imaginary friend after class one day and, realizing that neither of them have any other friends, they decide to form the “Neighbor’s Club” (Rinjin-bu) in order to make some. In spite of Kodaka having no clue what he’s doing, new members start joining the club one after another.

Supporting cast members include Mio Otani, Sara Takatsuki, Mao Kanjo, Sayu Kubota, Momoka Yamada, Rui Kurihara, Dai Watanabe, and Yoshizumi Ishihara.

Filming of “Boku wa Tomodachi ga Sukunai” wrapped in June. The movie will be released nation-wide in Japan early next year.

source : eiga.com

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'Akumu-chan' drama starring Kitagawa Keiko to get a movie adaptation

It was announced that the NTV drama "Akumu-chan" starring Kitagawa Keiko will hit the big screen as "Akumu-chan The Movie" in 2014.

"Akumu-chan" is based on Onda Riku's novel "Yume Chigai" and was turned into a TV drama by scriptwriter Omori Sumio ("Furin Kazan") in fall 2012. It follows the 5th grader "Yuiko" (Kimura Manatsu) who can see upcoming misfortunes in her nightmares and her homeroom teacher "Ayami" who can read and understand her dreams. Together they solve and prevent various incidents. The drama ended with an average rating of 11.5%. However, the drama had been especially popular among a younger audience around the age of 11 and 12. In that age group, it reached an average rating of 29% and actually peaked at 35%.

Many viewers have sent in requests for a continuation after the drama had ended and thus the producers decided to go for a movie. Of course they will continue to focus on making a movie that can be enjoyed by children and their parents. "Akumu-chan" is known for its vibrant and deep storytelling that touches topics such as friendship, courage and righteousness while also using some flashy CG effects.

In the movie, Yuiko and her classmates are now in the 6th grade and welcome a new transfer student. It doesn't take long for the class to realize that all of them have already seen him in their dreams. He also already appeared in one of Yuiko's nightmares. Soon everyone falls for his charms and does everything for him, which eventually triggers a major incident...

Various more actors from the drama are going to reprise their roles in movie in addition to Kitagawa and Kimura, including GACKT, Yuka, and Kohinata Fumiyo. Two new important characters will be played by Sato Ryuta and Honjo Manami.

Kitagawa commented extremely happy, "It's the first time that a project where I'm the leading actress is getting a sequel. From all the drama roles I've played so far, this is the one where I've gained the most experience. I've prayed for a chance to get to play this role again and it really came true!"

Filming has already begun and is scheduled to get wrapped up in August, but an exact release date for 2014 has yet to be announced.

source :  tokyohive

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Arashi's Matsumoto Jun to star in NHK drama for the first time

On July 14, it was announced that popular Arashi member Matsumoto Jun will star in the NHK drama "Hajimari no Uta" that will begin airing on September 23.

Though Matsumoto, as a member of Arashi, has served as the host for NHK's Kohaku Uta Gassen for 3 consecutive years, this is actually the first time for him to have a leading in a drama on NHK. This is also the first time in 15 years for him to appear on an NHK drama since his last one aired back in 1998 which was even before he made CD debut as Arashi.

The motif of the drama is "Furusato" which was the song made for the special corner in 2010's Kohaku Uta Gassen. Arashi members sang it on the Kohaku not only in 2010, but also in 2011, and in 2012.

The song was written by Koyama Kundo, and it expresses the nobility of hometown. The song has also been chosen as the compulsory song in the NHK National School Music Contest for this year (for Elementary School division). As this year will be the 80th anniversary year for the music contest, the drama adaptation has been planned.

In the drama, Matsumoto plays a young man named "Wataru" who left his hometown to Tokyo. Wataru once had a dream to be a teacher, but he could not make it come true, and became a freelance photographer for a travel magazine. The drama starts where Wataru returns to his hometown after he is given an order to take photographs in there.


By meeting with the local elementary school kids who are aiming to participate in the choir competition, his ex-girlfriend (played by Eikura Nana) who is an elementary school teacher, his old classmates, and family, he eventually regains his old dream to be a teacher.

Reportedly, there is a scene where Matsumoto plays a piano in the drama, so he is currently practicing for it. He left a comment, "Though my role is a photographer, there will be a scene I have to play piano, so I would like to prepare well for both before I attend the filming. I will do my best so that the viewers could find a delight in chorus, and also feel the power of music."

source : nipponcinema

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Shinichi Tsutsumi, Machiko Ono, and Hiroshi Tamaki to star in Bali-set comedy

Today it was revealed that Shinichi Tsutsumi, Machiko Ono, and Hiroshi Tamaki will star in Toshio Lee’s Kamisama wa Bali ni Iru (lit. God Is in Bali), the first Japanese movie filmed on location in Bali, Indonesia.

Filming will take place in Bali for about a month from late July before wrapping up in Japan.

The story is based on Sho Kuroiwa’s book “Dekasegeba Daifugou”. It revolves around a woman named Sachiko (Ono) who flees to Bali after the failure of her Konkatsu (marriage hunting) business. By chance, she meets and is inspired by a Japanese multi-millionaire who’s called “Aniki” (big brother) by other visiting foreigners. Tsutsumi will play Aniki, a character based on real-life Japanese entrepreneur Maruo Takatoshi who made his fortune in Bali and continues to influence others to become successful.

Tamaki will play a former doctor named Ryu who changed his life after meeting Aniki.

“Kamisama wa Bali ni Iru” will be released nation-wide in Japan in 2014.

source : nipponcinema

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