Netflix just released its first look at actor Ryohei Suzuki (Hentai Kamen 1 & 2, Tokyo MER franchise) in the title role of City Hunter. The live-action feature adaptation of Tsukasa Hojo’s hit manga is being directed by Yuichi Sato (Strawberry Nights, The End of the Tiny World), from a script by Tatsuro Mishima.
Netflix describes the project as “a modern-day updated version of the manga, set in the bustling streets of Shinjuku. The streamer has set a 2024 target launch for the film.
“When Ryo’s partner Makimura is killed,” the longline adds, “he and Makimura’s sister Kaori team up to find out the truth, thus forming a new duo.”
The film hails from Netflix and Tokyo-based outlets Horipro and Office Shirous. Keisuke Sanpei and Kosuke Oshida are producing the pic with Shinichi Takahashi serving as exec producer, with a release date to be set in 2024 according to multiple trade reports including Patrick Brzeski’s THR exclusive on Wednesday.
Suzuki says the adaptation will “aim to strike the right balance between realism and fantasy, as well as tones from the 80s and today.” He also notes a great deal of pressure in assuming the mantle of such an iconic character.
“I am thrilled to be playing Ryo Saeba and feel a great deal of responsibility to portray this beloved, legendary character created by Tsukasa Hojo,” Suzuki says. “I cannot wait for both existing fans as well as newcomers around the world to fall in love with Ryo Saeba and his fun, action-packed adventures around modern-day Tokyo.”
Hojo launched the manga in 1985 with several animated television seasons and films from studio, Sunrise in the 1980s and 90s. Jackie Chan took the lead in Wong Jing’s 1993 Hong Kong adaptation, while France would see actor/director Philippe Lacheau for his own incarnation in 2018.
The report also cites Hojo who says the latest feature-length effort took a decade to develop. Hojo was on hand for the film’s announcement on Thursday.
“I always hoped the lead would be played by someone who really liked City Hunter and thanks to Ryohei’s unwavering passion, the time has finally come,” he adds. “Thanks to the dedicated cast and crew, I’m looking forward to the title being brought to screen, with a fresh and realistic perspective that isn’t strictly bound to the original manga.”
News of City Hunter comes following the streamer’s latest move to up the antee on live-action productions out of Japan, including and not limited to Shinsuke Sato’s upcoming My Hero Academia, and next year’s series premiere of Yu Yu Hakusho.
Suzuki will be seen next in Daishi Matsunaga’s upcoming drama, Egoist, and in Spring with Tokyo MER: Mobile Emergency Room The Movie, Aya Matsuki’s feature extension of the hit 2021 TBS series.
Read more at The Hollywood Reporter, and click over to Famitsu for a top-to-bottom look at Suzuki in full Ryo Saeba regalia.