I don't often post bits of news as fragmented as this but when it comes to a project I love as much as I do Jin-Roh - for my money one of the greatest animated features ever made and the best thing Mamoru Oshii has ever been involved with - I can't pass it up. According to AnimeNation Production I.G Vice-President Maki Terashima-Furuta has confirmed that someone has purchased the live action rights to Jin-Roh and a live action adaptation is in the works. No details at all have been given as far as who is behind it or where this is happening, just that it is in the works.
Now, Mamoru Oshii, the creator of the entire Jin-Roh concept - it's an alternate history in which Germany won WWII, for those unfamiliar - has actually shot two live action films set in this world already - The Red Spectacles and Stray Dog - but both are extremely low budget affairs that don't really do the world justice and so I'd be all for seeing someone tackle the material with the appropriate resources behind them.
And, hey ... speaking of Oshii, if anyone out there knows whatever became of Elle Is Burning, his announced collaboration with Kenta Fukasaku, I'd love to hear it.
ps 'so I’d be all for seeing someone tackle the material with the appropriate resources behind them.'
I might be the only one thinking this, dear lord i hope not, but if there is something that shouldn't happen is a live action remake of Jin-Roh backed up by big money. First of all Oshii has already attempted it with his live action 'trilogy', why try another time. The only thing you'd get is dumbed down empty shell of a movie that tries to tag along on the Jin-Roh fanbase. I for one prefer more original ideas.
I recall seeing Jin-Roh inspired imagery (or five-fingerer 'homages' a la http://outnow.ch/Movies/2007/Hitman/Bilder/dvd-film.ws/05 ) in live action films more than once.
If this is made, and is actually any good, I hope the designs of the original remain fresh enough to the general public.
Venger, I absolutely agree that Battle Royale II is beyond horrible but X Cross is a blast, as is Fukasaku's part in the omnibus film Kill. His and Oshii's bits are the only decent part of that film, actually.
As to why do it again? Because Oshii's vision is massive and his budget was tiny one his live action attempts. Personally I'd like to see someone give him a few mil to do another one himself, properly this time. He has already announced that he's doing another live action film in Poland - where he did Avalon - so who knows ...
So, who might had bought this? I have a feeling that it was a hollywood studio.
"First of all Oshii has already attempted it with his live action ‘trilogy’, why try another time."
Venger, out of curiosity, what would be the third live action movie? I only know of Red Spectacles and Stray Dog.
As far as I know, Talking Head and Avalon had nothing to do with the Jin-Roh universe.
hence the quotation marks around the word trilogy. They released the three live action flicks in one dvd box, as his 'Mamoru Oshii Cinema Trilogy'.But indeed Talking Heads has a different subject matter.
I would not reject Todd's reasons about a second try for Oshii. But, I would not be so optimist about that because Oshii has changed and he's doing something new, something different from the past. His kerberos/tachiguishi saga do not seems to be his main interest these recent years but just used to creat some on-the-side projects. But yes, he could take another try and do a live action like he did in the past. I said, I do not reject the idea. But...
In an other way, what do not make me so optimist is obviously, Hollywood. Recently, the live Action Akira has been cancelled, so why not try to pick up another great action anime rights to take another try? Hollywood in its process to "destroy" the asian cinema would make a lot of sens by trying to remake a great anime like Jin-Roh with its cool armored warriors and second war aspects, something popular in the american cinema. So, it could be a second try for Hollywood too.