Johnnys Movie Invasion 2013
According to Hiroo Otaka (writer for Mainichi Shimbun & Nikkan Gendai), more than 10 movies are already scheduled for release under Toho next year. Surprisingly, more than half of which are starred by actors from Johnny & Associates, namely: Kamenashi Kazuya, Ikuta Toma, Ninomiya Kazunari, Taichi Kokubun, Sakurai Sho, and Okada Junichi. The line-up is rare, and without any SMAP member's name in the list so far.
Take Your Pick from the List:
Ikuta Toma- Nou Otoko (“Brain Man”)
Release Date: February 2013
A movie adaptation of Urio Shudo’s 2000 Edogawa Rampo Award-winning novel Nou Otoko (“Brain Man”).
In his first “dark hero” role, Ikuta will be playing a mysterious unfeeling killing machine named Ichiro Suzuki who commits murders in the name of justice.
Synopsis
His character possesses an unusually high intelligence and prodigious memory, but is also completely incapable of feeling human emotion.
The role will reportedly be physically demanding, involving intense action scenes. Ikuta has been training in various martial arts for about 6 months in preparation for filming, including the Filipino martial art Kali and Bruce Lee’s hybrid system, Jeet Kune Do.
The story is set in a suburban city in the wake of indiscriminate serial bombings. Yosuke Eguchi (44) will play Chaya, a police detective who discovers Suzuki in the hideout of the bomber, a salaryman named Midorikawa. Yasuko Matsuyuki (39) will play a neurosurgeon tasked with evaluating Suzuki.
Kamenashi Kazuya- It's Me, It's Me (Ore Ore)
Release Date: Spring 2013
Based on a popular Japanese contemporary novel, director Miki wrote the script himself, opting for an original, spellbinding ending that makes full use of the art. Realistic, surreal, funny and unnerving, this film will swallow you up in unfathomable suspense.
Synopsis
A casual scam triggers a surreal series of events, which turns everyone into “ME,” who eventually turns on each other. This fantastical tale of“selfmultiplication”will be made into a film by Satoshi Miki ("Adrift in Tokyo"('08), "Instant Swamp"('09) who has made his mark with his original worldview that renders his works a world of its own, which is known as“the Miki World.” Kazuya Kamenashi of a popular boy-band, KAT-TUN, will star as the protagonist, Hitoshi, who is at first disoriented in the world that is inhabited by so many Hitoshis, yet unexpectedly finds the uncomplicated relationships among “himselves” quite comfortable.
I am Hitoshi, aged 28. One day, I encounter another me. That Hitoshi tells me that he has actually met another Hitoshi, the week before. It looks like everyone turns into "ME". Before I know it, the world is filled with "ME" at a staggering speed. And in time, all these "MEs" start deleting other "MEs".
Ninomiya Kazunari- Platinum Data
Platinum Data is an upcoming Japanese movie directed by Keishi Otomo and based on a novel by Keigo Higashino.
Synopsis
Set in 2017, it tells the story of a young brilliant scientist named Kagura Ryohei (Ninomiya), who works as a DNA specialist for the National Police Agency in the newly created underwater DNA data center. One day, he suddenly becomes the prime suspect in the murder case of the developer of the new DNA investigation system. Having no memory of what actually happened, Kagura ends up on the run from the police.
Etsushi Toyokawa plays the lead detective on his trail.
Kokubun Taichi- “Daijoubu 3 Gumi”
Ototake Hirotada’s 2010 novel “Daijoubu 3 Gumi” is getting a movie adaptation, starring TOKIO’s Kokubun Taichi (37). Kokubun has not starred in a movie since the award-winning “Shaberedomo Shaberedomo” in 2007.
Synopsis
Ototake, who was born without limbs due to a congenital disorder known as tetra-amelia, will make his screen debut as Akao. A childhood friend named Shiraishi (Kokubun), a member of the board of education, helps him achieve his dream of becoming a teacher. Although the book was told from Ototake’s perspective, the story will be told from the perspective of Shiraishi, who works with Akao and experiences various challenges with him as they deal with a classroom of 28 fifth-grade students.
Yo Kimiko and Taguchi Tomorowo have also been cast. The 28 students were selected from an audition of about 300 children. It is said that in order to capture genuine reactions from the students, their first meeting with Ototake is being delayed as much as possible in the filming schedule.
Sakurai Sho- Nazotoki wa Dinner no Ato de
The movie follows up a 10-episode TV drama which aired on Fuji TV in fall 2011, directed by Masato Hijikata and based on a novel by Tokuya Higashigawa.
Synopsis
Wealthy heiress and police officer Reiko Hosho (Keiko Kitagawa) boards her family’s huge luxury liner, “Princess Reiko”, and embarks on a vacation to Singapore with her trusted butler Kageyama (Sho Sakurai). However, when a murder occurs on the ship, they become involved in the subsequent investigation.
Okada Junichi- Eien no 0 (The Eternal Zero)
The story is based on a famous book with the same title by Hyakuta Naoki. Next to Okada Junichi, the co-actors will be Miura Haruma and Inoue Mao. Ueda Tatsuya is also casted. Director is Takashi Yamazaki. The creative production is by ROBOT inc. (the same as "Wild 7")
Synopsis
‘Eien no Zero’ tells the story of Saeki Kentaro (Miura), who continues to fail the National Bar Examinations and lose sight of the goal of his life, and his old sister Keiko, who is a freelance writer looking up their grandfather Miyabe (Okada) who died in the Pacific War as a Kamikaze pilot. Miyabe had an astute ability as a pilot of fighter planes, but he was extraordinarily afraid of death. His two grandchildren started wondering why he applied for the Kamikaze corps. Revealing Miyabe’s unexpected title of “genius yet coward”, they unveil a surprising fact which has been sealed for over 60 years.
I'm not exactly sure if he's referring to Kame's YNB or Ore Ore though.
2nd half of 2012
July 28: Kanjani8- Eito Rangers
October: Johnny Juniors + Takaki Yuya- Bakaleya Movie
Dec 15: Kamenashi Kazuya- Yokai Ningen Bem the Movie
credits: 1, 2, 3, 4, Nippon Cinema
The list and the plot looks very promising.
Just by the role description given, I think Toma-Kame-Nino can battle it out for Best Actor or something. *gets shot*