47 Ronin star Keanu Reeves recently said he was just happy to take part in Universal Pictures’ upcoming adventure flick.
The actor appeared alongside director Carl Rinsch at the Japanese premiere of the movie on Monday. During his appearance at the event, Reeves said he was very pleased with his experience on the set of 47 Ronin .
“[The story is about people who] share this journey to reclaim their land, their honor, their way. It was very special to me to be part of it,” Reeves explained to The Associated Press .
“These themes of revenge, loyalty, perseverance, were things we knew from the very beginning were universal,” Rinsch added.
Although many fans of the 47 Ronin legend feel that Hollywood is taking far too many liberties with the original story, Reeves said the cast and crew have nothing but the utmost respect for the tale. It might differ a little from the source material, but Reeves told the Los Angeles Times there’s a good reason for that.
“Japanese kids grow up with this story told to them. They hear it from family and they learn it in school, it’s part of the culture. It’s been made into movies many times and on television. It’s like our westerns, the story keeps being told. It’s been reworked in some ways [for this new film] but with great care and respect,” Reeves told the publication back in 2011.
He added, “There’s a sadness about [Kai] and I admire the grace he shows in response to other people’s feelings. He doesn’t have anger about the way he is viewed, but there is sadness and I’ve found that an interesting thing to work with.”
Here’s Universal Pictures’ official description for 47 Ronin :
“After a treacherous warlord kills their master and banishes their kind, 47 leaderless samurai vow to seek vengeance and restore honor to their people. Driven from their homes and dispersed across the land, this band of Ronin must seek the help of Kai (Reeves) — a half-breed they once rejected — as they fight their way across a savage world of mythic beasts, shape-shifting witchcraft and wondrous terrors. As this exiled, enslaved outcast becomes their most deadly weapon, he will transform into the hero who inspires this band of outnumbered rebels to seize eternity.”
In addition to Keanu Reeves, 47 Ronin stars acclaimed Japanese actors Hiroyuki Sanada, Ko Shibasaki, Tadanobu Asano, and Rinko Kikuchi. If you haven’t done so already, then take a good look at the international trailer below.
Are you a fan of Keanu Reeves? Do you plan to check out director Carl Rinsch’s big-budget version of the 47 Ronin story when it hits screens in the US on December 25?
[Image via Universal Pictures]
