The cast is coming together for Takashi Miike's adaption of the 1970s anime series, Yatterman. It was revealed on Tuesday that actress Saki Fukuda has been cast as the female lead, Gan's girlfriend Ai. As was previously reported Gan will be played by Arashi member Sho Sakurai.
Near as I can tell Saki has not had any feature film roles yet but she has done a smack of television the last three years. She does have one film credit for 2008, a film titled Sakura no Sono, though I do not know if this is a remake of a film from 1990 of the same name, in that film the members of a drama club at a girl's high school prepare for a performance of Chekhov's "The Cherry Orchard."
Yatterman is slated for a spring 2009 release.
Thanks for this bit of news Mack. Fukuda Saki portrayed one bad ass bitch (Minami Anzai)in the Fuji TV high school drama "Life" (currently playing on NGN cable TV in Hawaii). I'm glad she's playing a more heroic part this time around. I'm still holding out hope that Miike casts Anna Tsuchiya as "Doronjo" the super sexy villain of the series. She definitely has the attitude and look to play her. Other good candidates would be model Koyuki (Ge Ge Ge No Kitaro) or Ichikawa Mikako (Cutie Honey, Be With You). It's a sure bet that buck-toothed henchman Boyaki will be played by either Oizumi Yo (Ge Ge Ge Kitaro) or Takenaka Naoto (Shall We Dance) as they are almost too perfect a choice. I dunno who could play Fat bastard henchman Tonzura..perhaps Riki Takeuchi?
Yeah, Anna Tsuchiya would be awesome for the role. I'd much prefer her over Koyuki.
Oh, and for "Sakura no Sono," it is indeed a remake - even the director (Shun Nakahara) and screenwriter (Hiroaki Jinno) will be the same. I believe that will be Fukuda's first starring role in a movie.
Heard that Saki has quiet some mental problems. Seems as if she cried in a quiz show (IQ supli), just because she couldn't answer a question.
But, oh well, she fits perfect in the Miike-cosm.
Sorry, it was meant to be Fukada Kyoko ...