Monkey Punch's Lupin III live action film showcases Hana Yori Dango's Shun Oguri as Lupin, and the movie is set to show up in theaters sometime in the latter half of the year. Shun Oguri played the brooding Rui Hanazawa in the popular Hana Yori Dango live action series. Isn't that awesome?!
The ever-popular Lupin III series, which first appeared in Weekly Manga Action magazine back in 1967 has been so famous that it already launched multiple anime series, films, games and stage productions. I remember first watching Lupin III on GMA Network many years ago, and enjoying the lovable characters. The Lupin III movie is sure to be a great hit, especially with a star-studded cast to bring the characters to life!
The Lupin III fillm will showcase notable stars Tetsuji Tamayama (NANA, Casshern) as Daisuke Jigen, Gou Ayano (Rurouni Kenshin) as Goemon Ishikawa, Tadanobu Asano (Thor, 47 Ronin) as Detective Kōichi Zenigata, Meisa Kuroki (Space Battleship Yamato [2010], Crows Zero II) as Fujiko Mine, Jerry Yan (Meteor Garden, Taiwanese group F4) as Lupin's nemesis Michael Lee, South Korean actor Kim Joon (South Korean Hana Yori Dango), Thai actor Thanayong Wongtrakul (The Man from Nowhere), Nick Tate (Return from the River Kwai), Thai actor Nirut Sirijanya (The Hangover Part II), and Thai singer Yaya Ying.
Kuroki as Fujiko
Ayano as Goemon
Tamayama as Jigen
Oguri as Lupin III
Check out Oguri's outfit--he's wearing Lupin's red velvet jacket and yellow necktie. He had to go through 10 months of action training with sticks and lose around 18 pounds for the role of the tall and lanky thief. In keeping with the faithful depiction of the original manga characters, Oguri bears Lupin III's favorite Walter P38, and Tamayama uses the Smith & Wesson Model 19 Combat Magnum as Jigen.
With the scenes shot in Japan, Thailand, Hong Kong, Singapore, and the Philippines, this first live-action adaptation of Lupin III will surely leave a lasting impression to movie-goers. Finally, there's a Lupin III that remains faithful to the original work. In the film, Lupin III and his faithful companions have set their hearts on stealing the Crimson Heart of Cleopatra, an irreplaceable gem said to "unite the world". Problems ensue as the group attempts to sneak into the high security vault, the Ark of Navarone.
