Keanu Reeves’ much-delayed samurai blockbuster ‘47 Ronin’ is finally all-set to release in theaters later this month. The hotly-anticipated 3D action adventure stars Hiroyuki Sanada, Tadanobu Asani, Rinko Kikuchi and Ko Shibasaki alongside ‘The Man of Tai Chi’ himself.
The film is based on an actual historical event during the Edo period known as “Chushingura”. It is the story of a lord who was wrongfully put to death and his followers known as “Ronin” – who then fought to avenge him.
According to foreign media reports, production on the film has been a roller-coaster ride from the very beginning. It began under the helm of a young Carl Rinsch, a commercial director originally set to work on the 2012 blockbuster ‘Prometheus’, before being replaced by Ridley Scott; Under his guidance the film’s budget reportedly swelled to $200 million as studio bosses at Universal demanded re-shoots for a number of scenes. Under close supervision Rinsch was also required to shoot additional material in order to boost Reeves’ romantic sub-plot.
Rinsch has publicly stated in interviews that when he first signed-on to the project two years ago, he sat down with Keanu Reeves and together they wondered how they were going to take a popular Japanese tale and do it justice on film. The duo then reportedly decided to make the story their own by making “a Hollywood blockbuster, and seeing it through that lens.”
Reeves has stated that ‘47 Ronin’ is a story where people embark on a journey to reclaim their land, their honor and their way-of-life; he has since revealed it was very special project for him to be a part of.
’47 Ronin’ will have its première in Japan on December 6th and opens worldwide Christmas day.