Keanu Reeves is Turning Japanese For ‘47 Ronin’

Posted by Rob Hunter (rob@filmschoolrejects.com) on December 9, 2008

Keanu Reeves will find his inner Asian for the upcoming film, 47 Ronin.  That’s not the same as finding yourself in an Asian (nor is it as much fun), but it sure pays a lot better.  I digress… Reeves will star in the period picture as an 18th century samurai on a quest for revenge against the evil-doer who caused the death of his master.  Presumably he’ll be joined by forty-five more Ronin and Tom Cruise on his journey.

The term ‘Ronin’ should be familiar to all serious film lovers, or at least to those who enjoy excellent cinematic car chases, as it was defined in the Robert DeNiro movie named (appropriately enough) Ronin.  It refers to a samurai without a feudal lord, due either to death or disgrace.  47 Ronin is based on a true tale about a group of samurai left leaderless when their master was forced to commit suicide after assaulting a court official.  The Ronin planned and executed their revenge against the official… and were then forced to kill themselves for committing the murder.  Honestly, that sounds ridiculously lame.  I’m not one for honor codes that encourage suicide, especially when it comes to movies.  And seriously?  Forty-seven samurai warriors against one guy?  And we’re supposed to root for the warriors?

Regardless of the tale’s origin in history though, this is Hollywood, so there’s going to be a little embellishment.  Per Variety, “The film will tell a stylized version of the story, mixing fantasy elements of the sort seen in The Lord of the Rings pics, with gritty battle scenes akin to those in films such as Gladiator.”  Thank you Hollywood for taking this boring tale of sacrifice, honor, and loyalty, and turning it into a special effects extravaganza.

[via Variety]

What do you think?  And did you know Reeves is half-Asian?  The sexy half no doubt.


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  • Uh Rob, you need to delve a little deeper into the 47 Ronin tale. It is held by most Samurai up to the current day as the true Samuri code of duty and respect for your lord and leader.

    Check out this link and then tell me this doesn't sound like a tale that could be made into a good movie if done well.

    http://www.samurai-archives.com/ronin.html
  • Okay Aleric, I've delved deeper. And yes, THAT STORY would make an interesting character drama as the Ronin pretend to go about their lives, culminating with a bloody attack and a suspenseful trial. The movie above is reportedly going to involve fantasy elements though, a la The Lord of the Rings... hence my sarcastic closing line "Thank you Hollywood for taking this boring tale of sacrifice, honor, and loyalty, and turning it into a special effects extravaganza."

    However, I stand by my comment that this particular aspect of the Samurai code of duty is ridiculous. Suicide is a waste except in cases where you have nothing left to offer the world. Killing yourself out of honor, duty, or respect is ludicrous and uninteresting.

    But thanks for the link!
  • Bob Funn
    [FACE-PALM]
  • Dengar
    Ok, Samurai code aside, am I the only one who is pissed by another possible good film, soiled by Keanu and his bland acting. They have got to stop putting this guy in every sci-fi/kung fu movie that's made.

    Tom Cruise as the last samurai was bad enough. I'm positive this movie will blow.

    Oh, and I think Seppuku is a cool ritual, if handled right. Its all about honor. I'm sure this movie will be crap, and soil the Samurai legacy, but I will be content with my Shogun Assassin films... so good!
  • Lol, no problem Rob, just didn't want you to think the legend of the 47 Ronin's was a silly anime remake.

    My response to your disdain for the ritual of seppuku is also in conflict. The whole purpose of the Bushido Code is to place your Honor and Reputation above that of your life. In other words your life is only worth whom you serve and your actions. If either is compromised then in Feudal Japan you were not considered worthy of life and could be killed on sight. This is what sets the commoners in Japan apart from the ruling classes and Samurai. Without the code they would simply be soldiers and not have that air of awe that makes a lot of the Samurai movies we see today appealing.

    Having said all that I do agree with you that to jazz up this legend with special effects and named Caucasian stars is not appealing to me as well. Even though I am one of the few fans of Keanu Reeves when he is in a movie that fits his style, it seems a stretch to me as well. Tom Cruise clinches the unbelievable aspect.
  • jay
    Doesn't anyone know this WAS a Japanese film, and very popular in Japan before WW2?
  • Ooch! Tell me how you really feel! LOL!
  • Gretchen
    Nope, you're not the only one. The Day the Earth Stood Still looks perfect for Keanu: that character is SUPPOSED to be wooden & emotionless. ;) IMHO to put any caucasian actor in any role for a movie like this is offensive. After having read the link Alericc posted (thank you - very informative!), I'd like to see Jackie Chan as Oishi, or Jet Li would kick ass too. James Hong would be perfect as Kira; he's played some very creepy villains before. Any other ideas...?
  • The legend itself has been the theme of many Japanese movies since WW II. Even Kurosawa stated that it influenced him and most of his peers when he started directing movies.
  • The only problem I see with using the actors you mentioned is that they are not Japanese but Korean or of Chinese decent. There are many good japanese actors who could fill the roles, but they are not well known in America so the traditional Hollywood wont use them.

    That aside they are using caucasians so I guess anyone is game for the roles.....lol.
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