Japanese child star Yuno Nagao, just 9 years old, is taking on a groundbreaking new role in filmmaking! She's set to direct, write, edit, and star in her own movie, "Rita" (リタ), slated for a 2027 release. The project was officially announced at "JAPANESE NIGHT in Cannes 2026" in France. Nagao was only 8 years old during filming, making her potentially the youngest quadruple-threat filmmaker in history, and her team is even considering applying for a Guinness World Record.
Nagao has been writing scripts since she was around three years old, already boasting over 20 works to her name. She's openly shared her dream of becoming a film director, and now it's happening! "Rita" is a sci-fi flick about an endangered planet sending out investigators due to environmental destruction on Earth, with Nagao's character becoming the subject of their surveillance.
Sources close to the production reveal that Nagao wasn't just acting; she was on set even when not in front of the camera, watching scenes unfold and personally calling "action" and "cut." Despite still looking like an elementary schooler with her backpack, she was reportedly a tough cookie on set, actively demanding retakes and showing a seriously strict work ethic. One crew member even shared how she voluntarily ate ice cubes to prevent her breath from showing in the cold winter air – a move that left the adults on set stunned!
Actor and director Takumi Saitoh also joined the project as a producer during the editing phase. Apparently, he was blown away after seeing a script Nagao personally handed him while they co-starred in the drama "The Day of the Kidnapping" (誘拐の日) last year, prompting him to support her vision. The film's cast also includes Akiko Yada, Yuichi Kimura, and comedy duo Chocolate Planet's Shohei Osada and Shun Matsuo.
Nagao expressed her hope that all living beings in the universe can live in harmony and help each other, a wish she poured into the film. With the support of veteran actors and crew, this child prodigy is ready to showcase her talents beyond acting with "Rita."