It has been revealed that singer and actor Masaharu Fukuyama will star in the film "Black Showman" (to be released in 2025), which is based on a novel by Keigo Higashino. Fukuyama will play the protagonist Takeshi Kamio, a top-class magician who lies as easily as he breathes, and Kasumi Arimura, who will be co-starring with Fukuyama for the first time, will play Mayo Kamio, who teams up with Takeshi and works hard to solve a murder case.
The film is based on the first book in the popular series, "Black Showman and the Murder in a Nameless Town," which has sold over 780,000 copies in Japan and has been translated into many languages. The golden duo of the "Galileo" series, "original author Keigo Higashino x lead actor Masaharu Fukuyama," will team up again, and the film will be directed by Ryo Tanaka, who has worked on hit series such as "The Confidence Man JP" and the "Ichikei no Karasu" series.
When the production team approached the original author about adapting the story into a film, and Fukuyama's name was mentioned for the lead role of Takeshi, following the process of making Galileo, Higashino responded, "That's only natural," and when they approached Fukuyama about it, Higashino readily agreed. In fact, Higashino was inspired to write this film because Fukuyama said, "I want to play a dark hero."
Former junior high school teacher Eiichi Kamio is murdered by someone, and his daughter Mayo Kamio (Arimura), who was due to get married two months later, receives the sudden news of his death and returns to her hometown. Why did Eiichi, who was loved by many of his students as a teacher, have to be killed? Wanting to know the truth, Mayo is approached by her uncle Takeshi Kamio (Fukuyama). Takeshi, a former magician who was once famous in Las Vegas, uses his excellent magic tricks, bad habits, and mentalist-level skill in observing people and leading questions to solve the mystery of the murder case... This is the story.
◇Comment from Masaharu Fukuyama
I will do my best to create a film that will live up to the expectations of the fans of the original work and the world of the black showman that Higashino-sensei has created, while also exceeding them.
The character I play, Takeshi Kamio, is a former magician. His magic tricks contain three characters for mouth. He creates an extraordinary space with words and actions that mix fact and fiction. I hope to portray him in a way that makes it seem like "an interesting lie is better than a boring truth."
I am preparing to become Kamio Takeshi, the new-age dark hero entrusted to me by Higashino-sensei. This is my first time acting with Arimura-san, but I previously spoke with her backstage at the Hochi Film Awards ceremony. I feel her sincerity in always facing things with all her heart, and her determination to sacrifice herself for the work. I am very much looking forward to seeing what kind of session it will be.
◇Comment from Kasumi Arimura
I think there are times in life when we have to deal with small things that we didn't mean to do, and big things. If we had had the courage to face things properly at that time, we could have avoided them, but our own fears get in the way and we end up buttoning them up the wrong way. I would like to spend time with Mayo while reflecting on myself. When I first met Fukuyama at the awards ceremony, I remember saying that it would be great if we could work together. I will do my best with everyone to make a wonderful buddy team up until the end.
◇Original work: Comment from Higashino Keigo
When I was thinking about what kind of protagonist I should write for my new work, Fukuyama Masaharu told me, "I want to play a dark hero." I really wanted to see Fukuyama play a villain, and that's what inspired me to write "Black Showman." The protagonist is neither a person of character nor a righteous man, but acts only for the pleasure of deceiving people. Even when pursuing the mystery of his brother's murder, he does not take normal measures. I'm looking forward to seeing Fukuyama's villainy. I'm also looking forward to seeing Arimura Kasumi's performance as she is manipulated by the protagonist. I congratulate the birth of this great duo.
◇Comment from Director Ryo Tanaka
Masaharu Fukuyama breathes life into the "new hero who will stop at nothing to solve the mystery" created by Keigo Higashino. And Kasumi Arimura plays his niece, his partner. Could there be a more exciting combination? The cast and staff will do their utmost to make sure that you can experience the same sense of speed and elation that made me unable to stop turning the pages when I first read the original work. Be sure to enjoy the ultimate entertainment show that the movie "The Black Showman" unfolds!
