It has now been confirmed that the classic boxing manga "Ashita no Joe" will be turned into a live-action film, starring NEWS member Tomohisa Yamashita (24) as the protagonist Joe Yabuki. The movie is being directed by Fumihiko Sori ("Ping Pong," "ICHI") and is scheduled for release in early 2011.
The original manga, written by Asao Takamori and illustrated by Tetsuya Chiba, was published between 1968 and 1973. The manga's volumes have sold more than 20 million copies combined, and the story has been turned into two animated television series (1970-1971, 1980-1981), two animated films (1980, 1981), and a live-action film (1970) starring Shoji Ishibashi. Yamashita was offered the role about a year ago. He has been a boxing fan for a long time, and has even trained on his own at a boxing gym in the past. He will soon begin serious training to prepare for the role, as filming is set to start in early April.
Actor Teruyuki Kagawa (44) has been cast as Danpei Tange, the former boxer who becomes Joe's mentor. Kagawa himself is a boxing aficionado - he used to write regularly for the monthly Boxing Magazine and has served as commentator for WOWOW's televised boxing matches.
credits: tokyograph
The original manga, written by Asao Takamori and illustrated by Tetsuya Chiba, was published between 1968 and 1973. The manga's volumes have sold more than 20 million copies combined, and the story has been turned into two animated television series (1970-1971, 1980-1981), two animated films (1980, 1981), and a live-action film (1970) starring Shoji Ishibashi. Yamashita was offered the role about a year ago. He has been a boxing fan for a long time, and has even trained on his own at a boxing gym in the past. He will soon begin serious training to prepare for the role, as filming is set to start in early April.
Actor Teruyuki Kagawa (44) has been cast as Danpei Tange, the former boxer who becomes Joe's mentor. Kagawa himself is a boxing aficionado - he used to write regularly for the monthly Boxing Magazine and has served as commentator for WOWOW's televised boxing matches.
credits: tokyograph
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