Exclusive: Bad Ass Ken Watanabe May Make his Directorial Debut on "442nd"

Exclusive: Will Ken Watanabe Make His Directorial Debut?

By Dustin Rowles | Posted Under Trade News | Comments (22)

I’m going to tentatively mark this one down as a rumor for the time being, but we have it on pretty good authority, all the same, that Oscar-nominated Japanese bad ass Ken Watanabe is in early talks to make his directorial debut.

The independent project is one that would seem to suit the actor: It’s called 442nd, and it’s about the true story of an American-Japanese military unit assembled during World War II and sent on virtual suicide missions in the European theater. For their efforts against the Nazis, that unit go on to become the most decorated unit in American military history.

Watanabe, who stars in this summer’s Inception, had the central role in Clint Eastwood’s Iwo Jima, which was a war movie about the battle between the American and Japanese told from the Japanese perspective. I could certainly see that movie, in addition to working with Eastwood, as preparing him to direct a project of this nature, and the man has certainly worked with enough high-profile directors over the years to pick up a few things about directing.

The project is currently being assembled by producer Bill Gerber (Gran Torino) and Roar, the management and production company that represents Watanabe and the two Hemsworth brothers. We’ll see where this goes, and bring you more information as it becomes available.

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Comments

I would follow Watanabe-san to the Gates of Hell

Posted by: D-Day at June 1, 2010 11:59 AM

My grandfather, god rest his soul, could be a real racist puke sometimes - except he never slandered Japanese or Japanese-ancestry Americans. He participated in the hell that's called Monte Cassino side-by-side with the Go For Broke. He'd tell us you didn't mess with those guys - they'd kick your butt and make you serve it up as sandwiches. He loved going to Hawaii for reunions because they were just as crazy he was.

Posted by: idiosynchronic at June 1, 2010 12:14 PM

This news has actually warmed my cockle. I can't tell you when the last time that happened was.

Posted by: admin at June 1, 2010 1:15 PM

I am waiting with anticipation here. This better not be another instance of ignorance being bliss because if this film doesn't become a reality I just may have to send my dogs after you Rowles!

Posted by: Four Eyes at June 1, 2010 9:12 PM

I've been waiting for a long time for Hollywood to do a film about the 442nd and 100th battalion.
I do hope that they'll address the tensions between the Hawai'ian and Mainland Japanese Americans, though. It's such an important part of the story.

Posted by: zyzzyva at June 1, 2010 9:34 PM

My father was 100th battalion, my uncle was 442nd, my cousin was MIS. It's long over due for Hollywood to do a movie about these guys that will do them justice. It's been way to long since, "Go For Broke" came out and we are losing these vets today at a rate that would just make you cry. Everytime we lose one, it's like I lost a father again.

Posted by: Tim at June 5, 2010 11:04 AM

What an impressive actor, and man Clint Eastwood (I am a long time fan of all his work since 1968.) "Make my day" His famous quote.

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I have at all times beloved Clint Eastwood. My 9 yr old got excited this evening when he noticed him on television and screamed "I want to meet him, I want to meet him!" Wish there were a way.....

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Exclusive: Will Ken Watanabe Make His Directorial Debut?

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