(jmovie 2007) Hero, Staring Kimutaka and Matsu Takako - sequel to the hit 2001 jdrama Options

[itonobara]

I am so excited - this is one of my favorite Kimutaka dramas - and now it's going to be a movie!!!! There isn't a whole lot of info that I can find, but here's what I have:


(dramawiki quote) On 7th December 2006, an announcement were posted on Matsu Takako's official website of a new HERO Movie to be released in September 2007, with all the original casts from HERO(2001) involved.



Links:
Official Site

[itonobara]

Can any one translate/paraphrase/ give us the highlights of this info? I got it off the main site.

here's the original page: http://www.hero-movie.net/introduction/index.html



2001年に木村拓哉主演でフジテレビ系列にて放送された大ヒットドラマ『ＨＥＲＯ』が、2007年９月、映画になってスクリーンに登場します。
ドラマは、「中卒」の「スーツを着ない」型破りの「検事」、木村拓哉演じる主人公・久利生(くりゅう)公平が、事件の大小に関わらずに“真実”を追い求める姿を軸に、軽快でサスペンスフルな物語が展開します。加えて、久利生の東京地検・城西支部の同僚たちを、個性溢れる豪華キャストが演じ、仕来たりと縦社会に生きる彼らが少しずつ久利生に感化されていく様を群像劇の形で見せていきます。木村拓哉が演じるこの斬新なキャラクターは、まさに世の人々が待ち望んだ新しいヒーローの姿であり、日本国中の視聴者が圧倒的な支持をもって迎えました。その結果、世帯平均視聴率が毎回30％を超える驚異的な数字を獲得。これは、多くの大ヒットドラマを放ってきたフジテレビの中で、歴代1位の記録となりました。また、5年ぶりの放送となった2006年のテレビスペシャルでも 30.9％という高い数字をたたき出し、その人気ぶりは全く色褪せていないことを如実に実証しました。

今回の映画版で描かれるのは、ＴＶスペシャルのラストで、久利生が６年ぶりに東京地検“城西支部”に戻り、レギュラーシリーズの仲間たちと再会した後の話。

監督＆脚本は、本作のドラマシリーズを作り上げた鈴木雅之と福田靖のコンビ。本作では映画ならではのストーリー展開でありながら、ドラマシリーズ、特にスペシャルで描いた時間に繋がるところもあり、ドラマを見ていた人もそうでない人も楽しめる、奥の深い物語が描き出されます。また、久利生と、彼の事務官をつとめる松たか子演じる雨宮舞子との関係は、『ＨＥＲＯ』ファンなら誰もが気になるところ。その部分も物語にうまく絡め、存分に観客を楽しませるストーリー構成となります。
最高のキャスト、スタッフが全国の『ＨＥＲＯ』ファンの熱い要望に応えるべく、満を持して贈る映画『ＨＥＲＯ』。2007年夏の終わりに誕生する日本映画の新たなる歴史の瞬間を、是非、スクリーンで確かめてください。
この伝説のドラマ『ＨＥＲＯ』の９月公開（監督：鈴木雅之）に向け、撮影が快調に進む中、映画版に登場する超ビッグなゲストがこのほど明らかになりました。映画『ＨＥＲＯ』主人公の検事・久利生公平が、最強のライバル弁護士の出現によって検事人生で最大の危機に瀕することがストーリーの大きな軸になります。その弁護士・蒲生一臣役に、歌舞伎界を代表する一人である松本幸四郎が決定。刑事裁判無罪獲得数日本一という冷静沈着なキャラクターを独特な雰囲気で演じ、木村拓哉演じる久利生公平を想像超える窮地に徹底的に追い込みます。

そして、大きな話題がもうひとつ。日本を代表するエンターテイナー・タモリが、森田一義の名で参加。久利生検事と蒲生弁護士が争う刑事事件に絡む大物代議士・花岡練三郎役という、ストーリー全体の鍵を握る役を演じます。木村拓哉と松本幸四郎の壮絶な法廷バトルに、さらに森田一義が絡むという、日本映画界最大のドリーム・キャストの実現に映画界は騒然。今から大きな注目が集まっています。

さらにさらに、昨年夏のテレビスペシャルに出演した中井貴一が同じ役柄で出演し、綾瀬はるかも同じ役で登場。そのほか、国仲涼子（被害者の婚約者）、香川照之（特捜部検事）、岸部一徳（裁判官）ら日本を代表するキャスト陣が勢揃いし、超豪華なドリーム・ムービーの完成に向けて大きく動き出しました。

大塚寧々、阿部寛ら城西支部のレギュラー陣に加え、松本幸四郎らの超豪華ゲストの登場。そして昨年のテレビスペシャルとリンクしたストーリー構成など、『ＨＥＲＯ』映画化に盛りだくさんの話題が満載。気になる久利生と雨宮の関係まで含めて、テレビでの初回放送から6年にわたる『ＨＥＲＯ』の歴史にとって、集大成的な内容に相応しいスケールとなります。
４月末、『ＨＥＲＯ』シリーズ初の海外ロケが韓国・釜山で行われました。そして、韓国ではもちろんのこと、日本でも絶大な人気を誇る韓流スター　イ・ビョンホンが、本作で日本映画初出演を果たしました。韓国では、SMAP・木村拓哉として圧倒的な人気を博し、さらにケーブルテレビで『ＨＥＲＯ』が放送されるなど本作に注目が高まっています。そんな中、韓国を代表するスターのイ・ビョンホンとの共演は、さらに韓国内での『ＨＥＲＯ』の人気をヒートアップさせるに違いありません。

今回の映画化でイ・ビョンホンの演じるキャラクターは、久利生公平と同様、韓国検察局の検事。しかし、久利生とは正反対のエリート主任検事という設定。久利生と雨宮の二人は担当する刑事事件の鍵が釜山にあることを突き止め、急遽乗り込んだ釜山でドタバタの捜査を行う中、イ・ビョンホン演じるカン・ミンウ検事に出会うというストーリー内容。日韓を代表するスター木村拓哉とイ・ビョンホン2人の共演はまさにドリームマッチの実現であり、アジアの映画のファンの間で大きな注目を集めることは必至です。
▲

沖縄、北海道、山口を経て、東京地検城西支部に再び戻ることになった久利生公平（木村拓哉）。
相変わらずの城西支部の面々とともに、窃盗・傷害などの刑事事件を担当する。そんな中、久利生は、同僚の芝山検事（阿部寛）が起訴したある傷害致死事件の裁判を任された。容疑者が既に犯行を認めていたため、裁判は簡単に結審すると誰もが思っていた矢先、事件は思わぬ方向へ。容疑者が初公判で犯行を全面的に否認し無罪を主張したのだ。どよめく法廷で、冷静沈着に久利生に対峙する男……。刑事事件無罪獲得数日本一の弁護士・蒲生一臣（松本幸四郎）。実はこの事件の真相の裏には、ある大物政治家・花岡練三郎（森田一義）の姿が……。
この裁判の結果が、政界を揺るがす贈収賄事件の発覚に繋がっていたのだ。

久利生を徹底的に苦しめる予測不可能な事件の真相…。久利生はどんなことがあっても真実を明らかにしようと、事務官の雨宮舞子（松たか子）とともに奔走する。そんな彼の姿に城西支部の仲間たちもこの事件の証拠探しを手伝うのだが……。久利生と雨宮、そして城西支部の面々は今までにない窮地に追い詰められながらも、この事件の鍵を握る証拠が韓国・釜山にあることを突き詰める。現地で潜入捜査を開始するなか、東京地検は韓国のエリート検事カン・ミンウ（イ・ビョンホン）に捜査協力を要請するのだが…。
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●久利生公平（木村拓哉）
高校を中退し大学検定を受け、さらに司法試験に合格。最終学歴は中卒の“スーツを着ない”異色の検事。しかし他のエリート検事たちとは違い、中卒という経験から培った独特の視点や人間観察眼を持ち、常に加害者に対し“罪の重さと被害者の悲しみ”を気づかせることを信念にして、事件の真相を解き明かしてゆく。赴任地は最初の青森支部から東京地検城西支部、沖縄、北海道、山口を経て、再度、城西支部に異動となる。

●雨宮舞子（松たか子）
久利生の担当事務官。検察の世界の中では型破りな久利生に振り回され、検察庁の特別試験に合格して検察官（副検事）になる夢を台無しにされると危惧していたが、“常に被害者のために”を信条として数々の事件に真摯に取り組む久利生の姿に、多くの影響を受ける。
性格は極めて真面目。

●中村美鈴（大塚寧々）
久利生の同僚検事。城西支部にあって才色兼備の検事として活躍するが、キツイ性格の持ち主。容疑者には“いじめ”に近い厳しい取調べを行うことをモットーにしている。

●芝山　貢（阿部 寛）
久利生の同僚検事。子煩悩ながらも中村検事と不倫関係！？にある。検事のキャリアをステップとしてタレント弁護士を目指す。が、久利生との出会いで、影響を受け始める。

●江上達夫（勝村政信）
城西支部のエース検事。と、同僚たちからおだてられ、逆に上手く利用されている。
雨宮事務官に好意を寄せるが、あまり相手にされていない。世間知らずタイプ。

●末次隆之（小日向文世）
江上検事の担当事務官。いぶし銀の事務官として評価されてはいるが、妻には逃げられた様子。いつも江上の機嫌次第で理不尽な仕事を言いつけられる。趣味は社交ダンス。

●遠藤賢司（八嶋智人）
芝山検事の担当事務官。城西支部内の噂を収集し、そして口が軽い。芝山には情報屋のよう扱われながらも、常に鋭いツッコミを入れる。趣味は合コン。

●牛丸　豊（角野卓造）
検事。刑事部長。曲者ぞろいの城西支部に更に久利生が帰ってきて悩みが尽きない。保身をモットーにしているが、実は熱いハートを持つ人情家。最近、血圧が気になる。

●鍋島利光（児玉 清）
東京地検次席検事。冷静沈着なリベラリスト。久利生を青森支部時代から知り、城西支部を離れた後も、常に温かく見守り続けていた。
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■テレビドラマ
放送日 タイトル 視聴率
２００１年 １月８日 第１話「最悪の出会い」 33.4%
　 １月１５日 第２話「帰れないふたり」 32.7%
　 １月２２日 第３話「恋という名の犯罪」 30.8%
　 １月２９日 第４話「彼に教わったこと」 30.7%
　 ２月５日 第５話「二人きりの夜」 34.9%
　 ２月１２日 第６話「彼女の一番大切なモノ」 36.1%
　 ２月１９日 第７話「君に会えてよかった」 34.5%
　 ２月２６日 第８話「過去を知る女」 36.8%
　 ３月５日 第９話「俺がずっとそばにいる」 34.4%
　 ３月１２日 第１０話「別れの予感」 35.1%
　 ３月１９日 第１１話「最後の事件」 36.8%
■特別編
放送日 タイトル 視聴率
２００６年 ７月3日 「今夜復活!! 美しい海の町の怪事件に
　伝説の検事が挑む」 30.9%
※ビデオリサーチ・関東地区　より
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木村拓哉（久利生公平）
松たか子（雨宮舞子）
大塚寧々（中村美鈴）
阿部 寛（芝山　貢）
勝村政信（江上達夫）
小日向文世（末次隆之）
八嶋智人（遠藤賢司）
角野卓造（牛丸　豊）
児玉 清（鍋島利光）

製作：亀山千広
企画：大多亮
プロデュース：石原隆
監督：鈴木雅之
（映画代表作「NIN×NIN 忍者ハットリくん THE MOVIE」「GTO」、
ドラマ代表作「HERO」「世にも奇妙な物語」「王様のレストラン」「古畑任三郎」ほか）
脚本：福田靖
（映画「LIMIT OF LOVE 海猿」、ドラマ」「HERO」「救命病棟24時」ほか）
音楽：服部隆之

製作：フジテレビ・Ｊ-dream・FNS27社
製作プロダクション：シネバザール
配給：東宝

[vic_taebin]

OoO awesome! Recently i got into watching SmapxSmap and it's soo hilarious! Yea i'm starting to download "hero" and i can't wait to watch this movie! Kimutaku and Lee Byung Hun in one movie! YAY!

[asianrice]

By the original cast being "involved", I hope it doesn't mean just showing up for about 2 minutes at the end like how it was in the SP. I really can't wait for this. Hero <333

[itonobara]

By the original cast being "involved", I hope it doesn't mean just showing up for about 2 minutes at the end like how it was in the SP. I really can't wait for this. Hero <333

I know! but from what I understand, it's the original cast, like in ther series ( not with other people like in the special)

I LOVED Hero, so I so psyched about this movie ^^

[cutegit]

omg! Hero was the first jdrama i watched and now its a movie!!! weeee~ my friend's gonna love this news! <333

[ripgal]

I'm so anticipating this movie. Hero is one of my favourite dramas and I loved Takuya and Matsu together. They made such an adorable couple altho the drama did not focus on their relationship or anything. I'm so excited!

[Maia-chan]

I'm so anticipating this movie. Hero is one of my favourite dramas and I loved Takuya and Matsu together. They made such an adorable couple altho the drama did not focus on their relationship or anything. I'm so excited!

Yeah, the chemistry between them is awesome! It's like, they don't have to get involved in a romantic story at all to look romantic (and completely in love!). Great plot as well, and great acting overall! Can't wait to watch the movie!

[..natz..]

OH finally! i found this thread heheh..

i got excited when i saw the news on youtube when he was in Cannes..
AHHH i love the drama and now teh movie..eehehe YEAY..
he's sporting a new shorter hair style too!! hehehehhe YEAY YEAY YEAY..

and boy, isnt it hard to get info on the movie?

[ayu_adams]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWdYGZOtwEY

Judging from the hair, it looks like this was quite recent maybe while promoting this movie.. I don't know what they're saying but it looks pretty funny! The cast look like they're really good friends. And Takuya always has funny expressions.. LOL..

[scottishlass]

So has anyone seen it yet? Anyone enlighten me on the **** csene at the end? So many ppl have hinted and I want to know how it ends ... can't wait to see it.

[Azura]

This is one movie i would not missed....

[itonobara]

So has anyone seen it yet? Anyone enlighten me on the **** csene at the end? So many ppl have hinted and I want to know how it ends ... can't wait to see it.

hi! lol, imagine seeing you here.....

I want to know about that too!!!!! ARGH - they'd better release it here!!!

[cute girl]

The movie released on twoasone CB..

[rubie]

May 22, 2007

Kitano, Matsumoto, SMAP at Cannes



Some of Japan's biggest stars are at Cannes this week. Kitano "Beat" Takeshi (60) is there as one of the 35 directors who took part in a compilation movie to celebrate the Film Festival's 60th anniversary. Takeshi's 3-minute comedy segment, the second in "To Each His Own Cinema", was well received. The short will be shown with Takeshi's upcoming new feature, "Kantoku Banzai", set to open on June 2. True to form, he turned up at the red carpet event wearing a traditional hakama and a silly "chonmage" wig. "In 60 years probably no one has done anything as stupid as that. Next I'd like wear a hakama to the Oscars, and when my name is called take it off and show my arse! If I get an honorary Oscar at the age of 90, I'll probably soil myself and cause real mayhem." Fellow comedian Matsumoto Hitoshi was visibly nervous at the first ever screening of "Dai Nipponjin", his debut as a movie director. But the unique comedy got a standing ovation on Saturday night from the audience of 800, and it has already had distribution offers from ten countries. Also on Saturday night, two members of pop group SMAP were giving a party to promote their respective movies. Kimura Takuya (34) is plugging "Hero", the latest spinoff from a hugely successful Fuji TV drama series. Bandmate Katori Shingo (30) is promoting the movie adaptation of his recent TV version of "Saiyuki" (Journey to the West, also known as Monkey). The party drew about 800 guests from some 12 countries.

Source: japan-zone.com - hankooki.com

TRAILER
http://www.hero-movie.net/hero_trailer.flv

Official website for 'Hero'
http://www.hero-movie.net/index.html



Info highlight thanks to ylin-EverythingLBH

[rubie]

August 7, 2007

'Hero' starring Kimura Takuya, to change Japanese movie history



The premiere of the movie 'Hero' starring Kimura Takuya was held successfully on the 6th at Tokyo's Budokan.

With all major media reporting the event, many forecasted that the movie would break previous records of "Bayside Breakdown: the Movie 2" at 17.3 billion yen.

With 5,000 guests invited to the premiere, more than 200,000 entered to be selected. Kimura Takuya and other cast walked down a 50 meter red carpet after the screening greeted by the crowd.

The movie "Hero" is based upon the drama series that aired in 2001 on Fuji Television. All episodes of the series had viewer ratings higher than 30% with the final episode reaching 36.8%. These are the highest numbers for any drama series Kimura Takuya starred in, and was a first of all television series where all episodes exceeded 30% viewer ratings. The special episode aired in 2006 had a 30.9% viewer rating and with the special appearance of Lee Byung Hun, the movie is expected to surpass all movie attendance records in Japan.

Japanese newspapers reported that the movie will open on more than 470 screens on the 8th, the most ever for any movie opening in Japan.

The head of the movie production division at Fuji TV, Gameyama, says, "With Kimura Takuya's acting and the growth of co-stars from the series, the movie has a great potential to break records. Because the quality of the overall movie is so great, it will be able to break records of 'Bayside Breakdown: the Movie 2' as well."

Source: BROASIA.com


Friday, Aug. 31, 2007

Time for heroes

By MARK SCHILLING

The ways of Japanese TV drama producers must be as mysterious to their Hollywood counterparts as the statues of Easter Island.

Hero Rating: (3 out of 5)


Takako Matsu, Nene Otsuka, Norito Yashima
AND Hiroshi Abe in "Hero." ©2007 FUJI TELEVISION.
TOHO. J-DREAM. FNS27SHA

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Director: Masayuki Suzuki
Running time: 130 minutes
Language: Japanese
Opens Sept. 8, 2007

Whereas Hollywood prefers to spin out hit shows to infinity, while raking in millions from syndication — "Seinfeld" forever! — Japanese drama shows usually have limited runs of 11 episodes or so, no matter how stratospheric their ratings. They can have profitable afterlives on DVD and other media, but not the sort of syndicated eternities enjoyed by the most popular U.S. shows.

Japanese producers have explained this difference to me by saying that, for local audiences, dramas are like news — and thus naturally have short life cycles.

But there are exceptions, as the new Fuji TV-produced film "Hero" proves. The Fuji series the film is based on, starring idol-group SMAP heartthrob Takuya Kimura as a rule-breaking delinquent-turned-prosecutor, racked up humongous 30-plus ratings for every episode when it was broadcast from January to March 2001. This is comparable to Matsui hitting 11 straight home runs.

Instead of signing Kimura and company to another season, however, Fuji dropped the show for five years, finally reviving it for a special that aired in July 2006 — which also scored more than 30.

By this time, Fuji TV producer Chihiro Kameyama — the mastermind behind the smash "Odoru Daisosasen (Bayside Shakedown)" franchise and many other hit films — was developing a "Hero" feature. Set for release on 470 screens on Sept. 8, "Hero" is expected to equal or surpass the spectacular take of the two "Odoru Daisosasen" films, the second of which grossed ¥17.35 billion in 2003, more than that year's "Harry Potter" entry.

Nearly all the original cast are back for "Hero," beginning with 34-year-old Kimura, a delinquent no longer. Director Masayuki Suzuki also helmed the TV series — and brings the same tube-trained sensibility to the film. Closeups abound and everyone overacts furiously, like manga characters come to life. The plot may also be absurdly contrived, but Suzuki considerately keeps the explanations coming, so that even those who take extended bathroom breaks can follow along.

In other words, stylistically and narratively, "Hero" is a TV episode writ large — and those expecting a real movie will leave disappointed.

But it will also probably fulfill Fuji's rosy box-office predictions: Kameyama, Suzuki and the rest of the creative staff know exactly what they are doing.

Hollywood-style suspense, thrills and violence may be in short supply — this is yet another Fuji film in which the on-screen body-count is zero — but Japanese-style teamwork, in its most idealized form, is on abundant, appealing display. Also, the members of Kimura's team are quirky but likable individualists (hardly credible given that these are public prosecutors we're talking about — but what the hey), while the bickering relationship between Kimura and Takako Matsu, playing his nerdy-but-cute colleague, generates real sparks, though ones far more comic than sexual.

The film not only romanticizes the group-centered lives that many in the audience are leading, but gives hope to the socially challenged, the women among them especially, that they can find purpose, comradeship and, most importantly, true love. It's a big, flattering shout-out to the folks in the seats.

As the film begins, the scruffy rebel hero, Kohei Kuryu (Kimura), returns to the Josai Branch of the Tokyo prosecutors' office after a 6-year interval. The geeky Maiko Amamiya (Matsu), who was once his professional partner and something-like-a-girlfriend — is strangely standoffish, however. (Or not so strangely — if she didn't give Kuryu the brushoff at first, the film's romantic arc would be flat.)

Soon after his return, Kuryu is given what looks to be an open-and-shut case: A young salaryman, who was engaged to be married, got into an after-dark dust-up with a blond-haired punk, hit his head on the curb and fell into a fatal coma. The punk escaped in a van, but was ID'd by a neighborhood housewife. Arrested, he confessed to being the assailant. But when the punk finally has his day in court, he retracts his confession, while his lawyer, a saturnine former prosecutor named Gamo (Koshiro Matsumoto), who is now the winningest defense attorney around, shreds the prosecution's case. Instead of breaking early for lunch, Kuryu finds himself with a real battle on his hands.

How does a lowlife punk rate a lawyer like Gamo? While mulling that question, Kuryu has to find evidence. This quest involves Amamiya — and soon brings both of them, as well as the entire Josai team, into conflict with a special investigation squad, whose bloody-minded leader (Teruyuki Kagawa) wants to take over the case. Meanwhile, a powerful politician (Kazuyoshi Morita) under indictment for bribery is found to have ties to Gamo. What is their game? The answer to this and other mysteries seems to lie in Korea, where the suspect's stolen van has gone. Kuryu and Amamiya book their tickets to Busan.

There are various subplots, including one arising from the murder case depicted in the TV special, but the beating heart of the film is its relationships. It's biggest moments are not the thrills of the chase, but the rush from group solidarity in action and love in sudden (if thoroughly foreshadowed) bloom. This was also the formula of the "Odoru Daisosasen" films and, though hardly unique to Japan, it has been hugely successful here.

Kuryu may not wear a tie, even in court — it's against his punk code — but he is a loyal, dedicated team player, not a loner rebel. The film's message is that, first, by banding together with like-minded others in a common cause, anyone can be a hero and that, with a few rotten exceptions, wareware Nihonjin ("we Japanese" ) are the nicest folks on the face of the earth. Who wouldn't want to buy a ticket?

Source: The Japan Times Online

[rubie]

August 6, 2007 - SMAP's Kimura Takuya and fellow cast members walked a 50m red carpet yesterday at a PR event for the movie adaptation of his hugely successful TV drama "Hero". The event was held at the Nippon Budokan and attended by 5,000 screaming - and very lucky - fans. Demand for tickets had been such that some 400,000 people were less lucky. First aired in 2001, "Hero" is the most popular drama series ever for Fuji TV and was revived for a special last year. The movie version will open on September 8 on something close to the record number of 461 screens nationwide currently showing "Saiyuki", which stars fellow SMAP member Katori Shingo (30).

Source: japan-zone.com, thanks to whitedove - cari.com


[JAPAN] 5,000 fans come out to see Kimura Takuya and cast for “HERO” press conference



The highly anticipated film version of “HERO” starring Kimura Takuya and Matsu Takako will be in theaters on September 8th and at a recent press conference, 5,000 screaming fans welcomed the stars of the film.

“HERO” is a popular Japanese drama that aired on FUJI TV during September through December 2000. The drama received awesome ratings and was the third pairing of actor Kimura Takuya and Matsu Takako who appeared together in the popular dramas “Long Vacation” and “Love Generation”.

“HERO” (the original drama series) is about Kimura who stars as Kuryu Kouhei, a public prosecutor (”kenji”) from Aomori Prefecture who is transferred to Tokyo. He gets treated by the rest of the prosecutor’s office as a country bumpkin and enforces the image by bringing apples (the most stereotyped image of Aomori is that of apple orchards), being amazed by the infomercials on Tokyo television, and generally not wanting to do things in a ‘professional’ manner. His main foil is the career-climber Amamiya Maiko (played by Matsu Takako), who can’t believe the things that he does - that is, until he manages to nail a government official through some sharp deductive work.

For the film, the film will open up to 461 theaters around the whole country. The most for any film in Japan.

Source: www.nt2099.com/J-ENT


September 3, 2007 HERO gets wide Asian release



Written by Mark Schilling

TOKYO -- "Hero," Fuji TV's suspense/drama about a rebel prosecutor that will open in Japan on September 8, is also getting a wide release around Asia, Fuji sources have revealed.

The pic, which is headlined by Japanese megastar Takuya Kimura in the prosecutor role, will open in Korea on October 25 on 250 screens -- a local record for a Japanese pic.

The pic will also bow in Hong Kong on October 18, as well as in Taiwan, Singapore and Malaysia. "Hero" will open on 20 screens or more in each of these territories, a large number given the small local market share of Japanese pics. Finally, the pic will not be dubbed anywhere, on the assumption that fans will want to hear Kimura's real voice.

"Hero" is based on a Fuji TV series, starring Kimura as a rule-breaking delinquent-turned-prosecutor, that racked up stupendous 30-plus ratings for every episode when it was broadcast from January to March 2001. Instead of signing Kimura and company to another season, however, Fuji dropped the show for five years, reviving it for a special that aired in July of 2006 -- and also scored over 30.

By this time, Fuji producer Chihiro Kameyama -- the mastermind behind the smash "Bayside Shakedown" cop thriller franchise and many other hit films, was developing a "Hero" feature. Set for release on 470 screens on September 8, "Hero" is expected to equal or surpass the spectacular take of the two "Bayside Shakedown" films, the second of which grossed Y17.35 billion ($151 million) in 2003, more than that year's "Harry Potter" entry.

In August Kimura signed to star in the Anh Hung Tran psychothriller "I Come with the Rain," a pan-Asian production that is expected to raise his regional profile. He also appeared in Wong Kar-wai's mood romance "2046," as well Yoji Yamada's period drama "Love and Honor," a major hit for Shochiku in 2006.

Source: Variety Asia

[rubie]

September 10, 2007

"Hero" faces no challengers at Japanese B.O.

Written by Mark Schilling



TOKYO -- "Hero," a courtroom-drama-cum-romance based on a hit Fuji TV series about a rebel prosecutor, finished its first weekend at the number one spot, earning Y1.08 billion ($9.5 million dollars) on 750,000 admissions.

Released on 475 screens by distrib Toho -- a record for a Japanese pic -- "Hero" scored a sky-high screen average of $19,790. Toho now predicts the pic will finish north of $88 million and may even surpass the current number one for the year: "Pirates of the Caribbean: World's End."

Fuji TV producer Chihiro Kameyama, the mastermind behind both "Hero" and the smash hit "Bayside Shakedown" pics about cops in the trendy Tokyo Bay area, is even more upbeat, saying that "Hero" may beat "Bayside Shakedown 2," which set a record for a live-action local pic in 2003 with $152.6 million. "I am in the fortunate position of being able to break my own record," Kameyama said in a statement. "If any title, "Hero" has a great chance to be the one to achieve that status, so I'm really excited."

"Hero" began as a Fuji TV series, starring local megastar Takuya Kimura as a rule-breaking delinquent-turned-prosecutor, that racked up stupendous 30-plus ratings for every episode when it was broadcast from January to March 2001. Instead of signing Kimura and company to another season, however, Fuji dropped the show for five years, finally reviving it for a two-hour special that aired in July of 2006 -- and also scored over 30. By this time, a "Hero" feature was in the works.

In addition to Kimura and most of the original TV series cast, the pic stars Korean heartthrob Lee-Byung Hun and was shot partly in Busan. Not surprisingly, the pic will screen at the upcoming Pusan film festival and is skedded to be released on 250 screens in Korea -- a record for a Japanese pic in the territory. Other theatrical releases throughout Asia are also planned.

Source: Variety Asia

September 11, 2007

'Hero' film adapatation a hit in Japan

Toho says pic is on track to surpass ¥10 billion

By Julian Ryall

TOKYO -- The film adaptation of the local TV hit "Hero" has taken the Japanese boxoffice by storm, opening Saturday on a record-breaking 475 screens and earning ¥1.08 billion ($9.4 million) over the weekend.

Distributor Toho said that about 750,000 people saw the big-screen debut of the Fuji Television Network series, but that figure might have been even higher had the country not been recovering from the impact of a major typhoon.

With a per-screen average of $19,790, Toho predicts "Hero" will surpass ¥10 billion in earnings and has a chance of being the highest-earning title in Japan this year.

"Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End" presently holds the top spot, with a gross of ¥11 billion.

The film has benefited enormously from the presence of Takuya Kimura, a member of the popular boy band SMAP, who plays the lead role of unconventional public prosecutor Kohei Kuryu.

"Hero" was initially a TV drama in 2001, quickly becoming the most-watched series in Japanese history, with an average viewer share of more than 34%. After a five-year break, Fuji resurrected the show in 2006 with a two-hour TV special, another big ratings success that paved the way for the movie version.

Directed by Masayuki Suzuki, the title has already been snapped up in other Asian markets and there are high hopes that it will break into the U.S. and European markets as well.

Kimura was in Cannes this year to promote the movie, which also will screen at the upcoming Pusan International Film Festival in South Korea.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter

[summers83]

Anyone knows where I can download this from? I missed this movie in threatres. Any clubbox?

[rui06]

Anyone knows where I can download this from? I missed this movie in threatres. Any clubbox?

Clubbox twoasone