It has been revealed that actors Tsuyoshi Muro Muro and Jiro Sato will co-star in director Yuichi Fukuda's latest film, "New Interpretation: Bakumatsu-den" (released December 19th). The two, also known as the "two heroes of the Fukuda group," will play Ryoma Sakamoto and Takamori Saigo, respectively, and will co-star for the first time in this film, which will be director Fukuda's 20th theatrically released film.
The story is set in the late Edo period from the end of the Edo era to the beginning of the Meiji era, and director Fukuda, who also worked on New Interpretation of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms (2020), which starred Muro and Sato, will be making a film about the late Edo period that everyone seems to know but doesn't.
Muro commented on his thoughts about the film, saying, "I am happy to be able to report this here today. Jiro, who decided to forego the usual Fukuda-style expressions, looks incredibly cool. And I decided to bring out the usual Fukuda-style expressions. A new shape for the two of us took shape during the days of filming. This is the memorable 20th Fukuda-style film with this cast and staff. I am truly grateful that the day is approaching when people will be able to see the decision we made back then."
Sato also said, "This time I am playing the role of Saigo Takamori, a great man whose name has been left in history and who has been played by many great actors in many masterpieces. Just that alone makes me tremble, but while I was trembling, I thought I would tremble even more, and in keeping with the 'New Interpretation' part of the title of the work, I have 'interpreted' this great man whose name has been left in history in my own way. I'm really trembling. But I think I will continue to work as an actor, trembling and shaking at the same time. This is that kind of work for me."
Director Fukuda also shared his thoughts, saying, "Muro-kun and Jiro-san are known as the wind gods and thunder gods of the Fukuda group, but the three of us are by no means close. Ever since we met, I've always worked hard to make sure the two of them don't think, 'Ah, Fukuda has become boring,' and I think they have also been trying to make me laugh. This film is the result of that."
