Keanu Reeves to play a Samurai Swordsman

Thats right folks, Keanu Reeves is back in action! he will star in a upcoming epic period film at Universal Pictures called ‘47 RONIN’ which is based on the true story of a band of samurai warriors who avenge the death of their master in the 18th century. Sounds pretty freakin awesome! I Just wish Keanu wasn’t in it. Variety reports:

Chris Morgan, who co-wrote “Wanted” and penned the upcoming “Fast and Furious” for Universal, is writing the script. Scott Stuber will produce through his Stuber Prods. banner.

In “47 Ronin,” he will play one of the swordsmen; the group and their master are revered in Japan for their revenge attack on Dec. 14, 1702.

The film will tell a stylized version of the story, mixing fantasy elements of the sort seen in “The Lord of the Rings” pics, with gritty battle scenes akin to those in films such as “Gladiator.”
Morgan is writing the script and tailoring it so that Reeves — who’s half-Asian — can fit the role as one of the swordsmen. The intention is to begin shooting next year after a director is hired.

I don’t know about you, but I love Samurai movies! Its been a long time since I have seen a really good one. All the best samurai movies are the old classics. The most recent one I can remember being made was Tom Cruises ‘The Last Samurai’ which had it’s moments, but ultimately was just a weak film. Who knows how this one will end up. I hope it ends up being decent. 

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4 Rant-Backs so far

  1. Flargth on December 8th, 08

    “Chris Morgan, who co-wrote ‘Wanted’ and penned the upcoming ‘Fast and Furious’ for Universal, is writing the script.”

    Yeah…based on that I’m more leaning towards killing this man rather than paying to see something he was involved in.

  2. Shell on December 8th, 08

    Wanted sucked, on an epic scale.

    I like Samurai movies as much as the next person but ‘Half-Asian’ just doesn’t cut it on the casting as far as i’m concerned. There are plently of beuatiful japanese men that could be cast for this movie, but it seems like all Hollywood movies it needs to ‘dumbed down and whited up’ for the American Audience. He’s too white and i don’t care how that sounds.

  3. ben on June 18th, 09

    i guess thats the failsafe for the film by putting keanu in as a lead role, i would recommend Hiroyuki Sanada or takeshi kitano, etc for a lead role! jusyt my thoughts, oh well i guess the important thing is getting the story across, as so many ppl don't know the story and it's relevance in japanese history. as for samurai films well 'blood the last vampire' looks good ( i kno its not strictly a samurai film but the lead character saya is using a katana). it'll b interesting to see how 47 ronin turns out ^_^

  4. Dawn M. Nevills on June 28th, 09

    You really are rather an asshole, aren't you?