Eguchi stars in Kaz Kiriya's "Goemon"

[Tokyograph News]

Actor Yosuke Eguchi has been given the starring role in Kazuaki Kiriya's "Goemon," it was learned on Sunday. Eguchi plays the legendary 16th-century bandit Ishikawa Goemon, though Kiriya's film is said to be a new interpretation on the character.

Kiriya's Goemon, who works for a military commander, has an unusual appearance. His hairstyle resembles modern fashion, rather than the traditional chonmage style, and his outfit is a combination of kimono, Western armor, and long boots. The setting is said to feature Western-style architecture, unlike the original time period. It appears that the whole story has been somewhat modernized.

Kiriya stated that from the outset, he has been creating the film with global audiences in mind.

Filming took place from late August to late November, and much of it seems to have been shot in front of a greenscreen so that the backgrounds can be done with CG. It is said that the CG processing will take a whole year, twice as long as it took for Kiriya's last film, "Casshern."

Takao Osawa plays the role of the ninja Kirigakure Saizo, while Ryoko Hirosue plays the heroine Chacha. In the film, both characters are childhood friends of Goemon. Another famous ninja, Sarutobi Sasuke, serves as Goemon's follower, played by comedian Gori (of Garage Sale).

"Goemon" is scheduled for theatrical release in 2009.

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