REEVES ATTACHED TO 'HIDARI' NARRATIVE
Keanu Reeves has been confirmed as the lead voice actor for the upcoming Japanese stop-motion samurai epic, ‘Hidari’. The announcement, made over the past few days around the Cannes Film Festival, positions the Hollywood figure at the forefront of this ambitious animated project.
Reeves will embody the title character, Jingoro Hidari, a legendary Edo period master carpenter. The film's narrative draws inspiration from accounts of Hidari's life, focusing on a dramatic tale of betrayal, loss, and revenge tied to the secret reconstruction of Edo Castle. The project expands upon director Masashi Kawamura's 2023 stop-motion proof-of-concept short, which garnered significant attention with nearly five million views on YouTube. Kawamura, a Tokyo-based director known for his genre-fluid, design-driven work, has also penned the screenplay for the feature.
"He’s not just lending his voice to Hidari — he’s helping us shape and expand this world, and I can’t wait to see where we take it together."
Kawamura emphasized Reeves' integral role beyond just vocal performance. He indicated that Reeves is actively contributing to the development and expansion of the film's world. This collaboration suggests a deeper creative investment from the actor.
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THE ARTISTRY BEHIND 'HIDARI'
The production involves a significant collaborative effort between multiple creative entities. Whatever Co., a global creative studio with offices in Tokyo, New York, Taipei, and Berlin, is handling creative direction. dwarf studios and TECARAT are also involved, with TECARAT responsible for puppet fabrication and art production. Iku Ogawa is credited as co-director and character designer, while Takeshi Yashiro contributes to character and wood sculpture, as well as production design.
Kawamura's directorial background includes accolades such as a Cristal at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival and an International Emmy nomination. His previous work spans commercials, music videos, television, and large-scale public installations, including designing a pavilion at the Osaka World Expo.
Reeves brings prior voice-acting experience to the project, having voiced Duke Caboom in Pixar’s Toy Story 4 and Shadow the Hedgehog in Sonic the Hedgehog 3. He has also explored production and storytelling through his BRZRKR comic-book universe developed with Netflix.
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The project, officially described as a 90-minute action/drama stop-motion film, currently lacks a release date.
