One of the most popular characters in all of Japanese writing the Fiend With Twenty Faces is coming to the big screen in a big way with K-20, an upcoming feature film due for release in late 2008. International star Takeshi Kaneshiro takes the lead role in the big budget film from writer-director Shimako Sato while Always director Takashi Yamazaki takes special effects duties.

Set in an alternate world where ninety percent of Japan's wealth is controlled by a small sliver of the aristocracy, the Fiend is a sort of Robin Hood figure who steals from the rich. Kaneshiro plays a circus acrobat falsely set up as the Fiend who must escape from jail and track down the real thief to clear his name with the help of a beautiful police detective who is being targeted by the real thief.

The idea of Yamazaki helping to create a sort of retro-future Tokyo is more than a little bit exciting - anyone who has seen his incredible work in Always will tell you why - and I'm always a fan of Kaneshiro in these sorts of roles. Yes, please.