Acclaimed Helmer to Direct Sukiyaki Western Django
by Sanem Z / Hot Movie News Crew
Takashi Miike is making the first sushi western, Sukiyaki Western Django, says The Hollywood Reporter.
The Hideaki Itoh starrer is the tale of clashes between two rival gangs. The 800 million yen ($3.8 million) movie will be distributed by Sony Pictures.
Filming began this weekend at the Syonai Movie Studio in Yamagata Prefecture, northern Japan, and the cast includes Kaori Momoi, who also appeared in Memoirs of a Geisha, Koji Sato and Yoshino Kimura. All three have undergone intensive three-month language training as the movie is entirely in English.
The director has talked close friend of Quentin Tarantino into appearing in the movie, after Miike made a guest appearance in the Tarantino-produced horror movie Hostel.
Tarantino is scheduled to visit Japan later this month to film his scenes, but is only described by the producers as a mystery man.
The film is scheduled to open in late 2007.
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