Keanu Reeves is officially on board for Japanese animation director Shinji Kawamura's long-awaited feature-length stop-motion film, "HIDARI." Reeves will lead the voice cast, a revelation made public Sunday morning at the Annecy Animation Showcase in Cannes, instantly reigniting buzz around the project, which spun off from a viral stop-motion short.
"HIDARI" draws inspiration from the life of legendary Edo-era artisan Jingoro Hidari. The original short film, released on YouTube in 2023, has racked up nearly 5 million views.
The feature film will amp up the action and handcrafted aesthetic, diving into Jingoro's tragic tale. After being betrayed, losing a father figure, his fiancée, and even his right arm, Jingoro transforms his grief into a burning desire for vengeance. Utilizing his unparalleled woodworking skills, he crafts a series of deadly mechanical prosthetics and, alongside his loyal companion "Sleeping Cat," embarks on a quest for justice and self-redemption.
Keanu Reeves expressed his excitement for the creative vision behind "HIDARI," stating that from the proof-of-concept short to the full script, the team has crafted "something truly extraordinary." He believes the film has the potential to be exceptional and looks forward to being part of bringing this unique story to a global audience.
Shinji Kawamura, for his part, shared his immense excitement about collaborating with Keanu Reeves. He noted that Reeves isn't just lending his voice to "HIDARI" but will also help the team shape and expand its world. Kawamura's impressive portfolio spans commercials, music videos, and large-scale exhibition designs, earning him international accolades, including the Cristal Award at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival.
via： Deadline