Arata Furuta lands first starring movie role

[Tokyograph News]

Actor Arata Furuta is starring a film titled "Komori Kachou no Yuuga na Hibi," directed by Ikki Katashima. Although Furuta has appeared in many supporting roles throughout his 24-year career, this is his first time taking the lead in a movie.

The film is adapted from the 2004 novel of the same name by Hikaru Murozumi. The humorous story follows a man (Furuta) who takes justice into his own hands by killing wrongdoers, but as a result, others begin worshiping him as a religious figure.

Furuta is the latest in a string of established supporting actors to finally be given a starring role. Sadao Abe starred in "Maiko Haaaan!!!" earlier this year, while Yoichi Nukumizu is starring in Masatoshi Akihara's "Ito no Hanashi," to be released in April. Fumiyo Kohinata was also given his first lead role in next season's drama series "Ashita no Kita Yoshio."

The supporting cast of "Komori Kachou no Yuuga na Hibi" includes Chiaki Kuriyama, Shugo Oshinari, Narimi Arimori, Shiro Sano, and Kosuke Toyohara. The movie is scheduled for release in fall 2008.

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