One of my favorite films of last year was Tetsuya Nakashima’s (Kamikaze Girls, Paco and the Magical Picture Book) Confessions, a highly stylized portrayal of a disturbing crime steeped in a dark sub-culture present in todays Japanese school children. The film was a huge box office success that grossed over $50 million dollars while also garnering critical praise in festivals and being the foreign language Oscar entry for Japan.
In the January issue of Kodansha’s Bessatsu Shonen Magazine, which highlights news surrounding the world of manga, it was revealed that Nakashima would indeed be helming a massive live action adaptation of the extremely popular comic Shingeki no Kyojin (Attack on Titan). The story centers on the life of Eren Jaeger and his adoptive sister Mikasa Ackerman, whose lives are changed forever after a colossal titan brings about the destruction of their home and the death of their mother. Sounds like the source material is the perfect mix of depressing family drama and over-the-top violent style to be a good fit for the filmmaker. Variety is also reporting that it won’t be a small arthouse film either, instead an operatic adaptation that will hopefully do justice to the original.
Nakashima said that the pic, which will require extensive CGI, will be “the most expensive Japanese film ever,” but did not name a figure.”This is my first experience (with this type of project), but it may be the last Nakashima film ever,” the helmer added. – Variety
Anything Nakashima is attached to I’m already sold on, based on his unique cinematic voice but I sincerely hope this won’t be the last film the talented director will make. If anything, I’d be much more interested to see his take on a live-action Akira than any Hollywood directors, but with Jaume Collet-Serra confirmed to kick off production next year, it looks like is wishful thinking.
Advancing Titans is scheduled to shoot this spring of next year with a release sometime in 2013.
Are you a fan of Tetsuya Nakashima and are you excited for Advancing Titans?