Keanu in 47 ronin

[den4]

The movie might come out decent, but with the way Hollyweird works, I have my doubts...If Keanu goes around saying, "Woah, dude, like that's one freakin' cool sword..." then it's all over...


http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2008/12/09...epic-47-ronin/

Keanu Reeves Dons Samurai Outfit For Feudal Epic ‘47 Ronin’
Published by Elisabeth Rappe on Tuesday, December 9, 2008 at 10:16 am.

Keanu Reeves knows kung-fu — but does he know how to wield a katana? He’s going to have to learn, because according to Variety, he is set to be the star of “47 Ronin” for Universal Pictures. The film lacks a director, but is being penned by Chris Morgan, who will be tailoring the story to suit Reeves’ half-Asian heritage.

“47 Ronin” is based on a true story of a band of samurai swordsmen who avenged the death of their master in 18th century Japan. Their master attacked a corrupt court official, Kira, a crime that saw him forced to commit seppuku. His masterless band of samurai swore to avenge their master’s death, though they knew they would be severely punished in doing so. Their successful attack on Kira has gone down into national legend, and they are still revered in Japan today.

The big screen version will be be highly stylized, mixing fantasy elements with gritty battle scenes, making it a cross between “Lord of the Rings” and “300.” This seems like a film that might cause a fair amount of controversy in Japan not only in its choice of a lead actor, but by toying with a story that is a beloved legend. It sounds like a fantastic story, though, and I hope it’s done with respect.

MTV readers, what do you think of Reeves playing a masterless samurai? Is this a sign that the whole legend will be Americanized? Do you think that a “stylized” version of the story could be offensive?

[highmighty44]

Keanu becoming samurai hope the character is cool like Neo from Matrix

[saigonman]

oh god....no offense, but white guys in asian movies never really appeases the asians lol

[wowO_O]

oh god....no offense, but white guys in asian movies never really appeases the asians lol

agreed. it will be so weird watching a white guy play an asian dude.

[den4]

I'm sure Bruce Lee felt the same when his role in the Kung Fu series got hijacked by David Carradine.....because Hollyweird thought it wasn't the right time to let a real Chinese play the role....
so now they have another white dude play Goku for the Dragonball movie, as mentioned here: http://www.japan-zone.com/news/2008/...ball_gig.shtml and in another thread listed elsewhere....

[Sconfucius]

Yea White's in Asian Films, massacres the whole film...just like forbidden kingdom.

[Takshaka]

This is horrible news!
The guy who wrote Tokyo Drift is not capable to giving 47 Ronin the respect that it needs on the big screen. I have less of a problem with Keanu being the lead than I do with a horrible writer butchering a great story.

[alkaline]

Interesting that Keanu is starting to pop up in all these Asian-related movies. Is he a closet otaku?

[chiongster]

this is refreshing role for keanu for his always doing the neophyte role. let's hope this samurai movie will turn out to be a good one like the last samurai.

[Gintoki]

Wait for this movie i hope better than Matrix.