Japanese actor Hiroyuki Sanada, best known for appearing in various action movies including John Wick Chapter 4, 2021’s Mortal Kombat and the recent FX series Shogun, is reportedly in talks to join the upcoming live-action Ghost of Tsushima movie, which is based on the Sucker Punch Productions game of the same name. Casting hasn’t officially commenced yet but it will be directed by John Wick director Chad Stahelski.
The report originates from DanielRPK, a leaker known for various movie industry leaks. According to the leaker, Hiroyuki Sanada is in talks to join the cast of the Ghost of Tsushima movie, though his role is undisclosed. Considering that the actor is older than protagonist Jin Sakai, we can rule out that he’ll be portraying the main character. Sanada previously worked with Stahelski on John Wick Chapter 4.
It’s likely that Sanada will play one of the supporting characters. Fans believe that he might play Shimura, a character from the game who is obsessed with bringing authentic samurai/Japanese art to the West – a rather fitting role considering his involvement in Shogun.
Daisuke Tsuji, who plays Jin Sakai in the game, previously expressed his desire to appear as the character again in the movie. While he’s undoubtedly the perfect fit for the role – he is literally Jin Sakai after all – there’s also a chance that Hollywood might want to go with a safer, bankable actor in the leading role. We’ll just have to wait for casting to begin in order to find out which actors are going to step into the roles of the characters.
The official description of Ghost of Tsushima reads:
“In the late 13th century, the Mongol empire has laid waste to entire nations along their campaign to conquer the East. Tsushima Island is all that stands between mainland Japan and a massive Mongol invasion fleet led by the ruthless and cunning general, Khotun Khan. As the island burns in the wake of the first wave of the Mongol assault, courageous samurai warrior Jin Sakai stands resolute. As one of the last surviving members of his clan, Jin is resolved to do whatever it takes, at any cost, to protect his people and reclaim his home. He must set aside the traditions that have shaped him as a warrior to forge a new path, the path of the Ghost, and wage an unconventional war for the freedom of Tsushima.”
Source: DanielRPK (via Reddit)
