47 Ronin Starts Production March 14th

Universal has announced that 47 Ronin starts production on March 14th with a November 11th 2012 release date.

Universal Starts Casting 47 Ronin, Could The Wolverine Be In Trouble?

Variety reports that Universal has starting hiring the Japanese cast for Carl Rinsch's 47 Ronin. They include Tadanobu Asano (Thor), Hiroyuki Sanada (Sunshine, Last Samurai), Rinko Kikuchi (Brothers Bloom, Babel) and Kou Shibasaki (Battle Royale). Based on the legendary tale of the 47 ronin (masterless samurai) who give their lives to take revenge for their master's death. Keanu Reeves is set to play the lead in the film which will be shot in 3D and will be released on November 11th 2012.

I'll be interested to see if Darren Aronofsky will be able to gather enough Japanese talent to fill roles in The Wolverine. As Ronin seems to be already hiring some heavy weights and a few I had pegged to get roles in Wolverine. There are plenty of roles in this epic and could drain Japan dry of authentic actors. Darren and Fox might have done some serious damage to their possible candidate choices by waiting until the end of awards season to begin casting.

Carl Rinsch Ditches Logan's Run For 47 Ronin, Coming 2012

HeatVision reports director Carl Rinsch has dropped the Logan's Run for 47 Ronin which will star Keanu Reeves. Universal is now eager to bring 47 Ronin into production and has set it's relese dte for November 21st 2012. The movie is based on the Japanese tale of the legendary 47 Ronin who seek revenge after the death of their master. Many of the Ronin give their lives in the process. Reeves will play one of 47 disgraced samurai. Described as stylized version of the story. Incorporating elements from "Lord of The Rings" with gritty violence like what was seen in "Gladiator". Set in Japan during the winter of 1702, the film has epic written all over it.

Rinsch had been lined up to direct the Alien prequels for Fox with Ridley Scott's blessing before the studio changed their mind and asked Ridley to return. He's best known for his commercial work but a made splash with his short film The Gift. This is the fourth director to jump ship from Logan's Run previously Bryan Singer, Robert Schwentke (Red) and Joseph Kosinski (Tron Legacy) had been attached.