Strange news comes from the land of the rising sun. There has been movement in the Bandage film camp. Seems like Kitamura got caught selling Meiji Gummy Choco's to the fat kids and got himself kicked out. There are new faces!
First, there is a new director for the project. Music producer Takeshi Kobayashi will helm his first fictional motion picture. He doesn't have much of a resume on film making but he has proven his chops in the music world. He did the music for the movie's scriptwriter Shunji Iwai's Swallowtail [1996] and All About Lily Chou-Chou [2001]. They are both producing Eriko Kitagawa's Harufuwei/Halfway due out in February 2009. So they have a good working relationship at least.
Second, KAT-TUN member Jin Akanishi makes his silver screen debut with the starring role in the movie. Akanishi has had plenty of television roles the last nine years and will play the role of Natsu, the leader and vocalist of a 4-member rock band called LANDS. The story of the film will follow the highs and lows of the members' friendship as they aim for fame. Yep, music will do that to you.
The script for Bandage is based on a radio drama broadcast in 2005 and production has been held in limbo for a couple of years now. Kitamura was attached as the director up until a while ago. It is anyone's guess as to why he is no longer attached to the project. Perhaps he has more offers for Hollow-wood projects after that stunning and successful theatrical run of Midnight Meat Train? I will admit that I am a bit sad about that because Kitamura could have at least lent his kinetic enthusiasm to the project. Kobayashi previously directed the 1995 documentary es about the Japanese rock band Mr.Children. Yes that was a movie about a band but this will be his first time in charge of a movie with actors.
Filming is expected to start next month. But, the report states that the film release won't be until 2010. A collective 'What the hell?' if you please. That is a long production process by Japanese standards. They usually rifle these things out right quick.
good thats its still being made, too bad Iwai doesn't direct it himself.