Hey, everyone. "Moriarty" here with some Rumblings From The Lab.
I’ve gotten a lot of mail about this in recent days, but this translation of a Japanese article by our buddy "Dark Snoopy" is probably the most complete report we’ve gotten so far.
And the crazy-ass rumor? Someone wrote me to try and convince me that Rob Schneider has all but signed to play the lead. Let that sink in for a moment. Schneider. As Lupin.
Okay... now walk it off and read this:
Monkey Punch's popular original manga, Lupin III, adapted previously for television and as a series of anime movies, is now being prepared for Hollywood. Gerald Molen (68), known for his association with director Steven Spielberg (55) (Schindler's List, etc.) will produce, with the release date of 2006 at the earliest. Punch hopes that "it will run as long as James Bond."
Lupin III began its manga run in "Manga Action" (Futaba Publishing) in 1967. One-hundred seventy-eight television episodes began their run in 1971; anime adaption began in 1979 with director Hayao Miyazaki's "Castle of Cagliostro," totaling six films. Hollywood has now extended its reach to this representative of Japanese anime.
Translations of the the original manga are now being published in the U.S, and this year the animation-delicated channel "Cartoon Network" started broadcasting the TV series. According to sources, contract for the Hollywood adaptation was signed at the end of February. Producer Molen is said to have said, "I hope to go back to the U.S. enthusiastic with many wonderful ideas, and begin work on the script."
The director and cast are not yet set. "The script is important, so I want to begin filming after it is completely polished," says Molen. With the script expected to take a year, the movie is not expected to be released until 2006 at the earliest. "I'm not fussy over the original source," says Punch. "I want it to be a Hollywood-ish movie. I'd like it to run as long as 007."
The only condition stated in the contract is not changing the establishment of the five main characters: Lupin, Daisuke Jigen, Goemon Ishikawa, Fujiko Mine, and Keibu Zenigata. Concerning the casting, Punch entrusts it to the production team. He says, "There's no actor that I say 'this is the one.' They can use new actors. I'm more curious about who they cast for Fujiko."
A live-action adaptation, "Lupin III - Strange Psycho-Kinetic Strategy," was made in 1974 starring Yuuki Meguro, but this Hollywood adaptation promises considerably higher production costs and the latest special effects. "It seems they're preparing a director's chair for me on location, so I definitely want to go and see," says Punch, looking forward to the filming.
(Sports Nippon)
Just remember... if they haven’t started writing this yet, it’s next to impossible that they’re really talking to actors about the lead role yet. Thanks to our scooper for sending in this translation, and to Sports Nippon for the original article.
"Moriarty" out.
