I am reluctant to even hope that a movie made by hollywood on a tale about a Japanese dog that's famous for Shibuya's meeting site will turn out as good as the original.....

http://www.thejapannews.net/story/308095
Joan Allen to star alongside Gere in 'Hachiko, A Dog's Story'

The Japan News.Net
Tuesday 11th December, 2007 (ANI)

Washington, Dec 11 : American actress Joan Allen has been roped in to star alongside Richard Gere in "Hachiko, A Dog's Story," a remake of the Japanese film about an Akita's relationship with its owner.

The film, to be fully financed by Inferno Entertainment, will be directed by Lasse Hallstrom, of 'Chocolat' fame.

Inferno Entertainment's Bill Johnson and Vicky ShigekuniWong will produce with Gere.

Gere will play a college professor who takes in a dog he finds abandoned. Both man and the dog find their lives changed forever as they form an unbreakable bond.

Written by Stephen P. Lindsay, the project is based on a true story and inspired by the 1987 Japanese film Hachiko monogatari.

The film will begin production in January in Rhode Island, reports Variety.

Allen last worked in "The Bourne Ultimatum" and has just completed the Paul W.S. Anderson-directed "Death Race."