The popular sci-fi manga Terra Formars, written by Yu Sasuga and illustrated by Kenichi Tachibana, will be adapted into a live-action film. This was announced by Warner Bros. Entertainment on Feb. 12, who will release the film in 2016.
As for the role of director, the internationally acclaimed Takashi Miike has been chosen. This extraordinary project heads towards 2016 with big aspirations, thanks to the manga’s immense popularity and a world-class Japanese director.
When Terra Formars appeared in Shueisha’s monthly Miracle Jump magazine in 2011, the story’s unique world and concept, along with its unexpected surprises, immediately captured the hearts of readers.The story takes place on Mars, where humans who have undergone genetic modification to adopt the characteristics of other organisms battle against evolved versions of cockroaches called Terraformars.
This work, written by Yu Sasuga and illustrated by Kenichi Tachibana, became so overwhelming popular that, in order to more quickly release the story, its serialization was transferred to Shueisha’s weekly publication, Weekly Young Jump, in 2012. As of February 2015, 11 volumes of the hit series have been published with over 10 million copies in print.
In the summer of 2014, an OVA, and animated television series, and an animated film were made. These works thoroughly captured the intensity of the original story, and were popular as well. The upcoming live-action film will be a long-awaited development for fans.
Above all, the current hot topic is Takashi Miike’s appointment as director. His works Shield of Straw and Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai were featured “In Competition” at the Cannes Film Festival, while his film 13 Assassins has won numerous awards. On the other hand, Miike is also known for horror and yakuza movies, in addition to live-action film adaptations of anime, games, and manga, such as Like a Dragon, Yatterman, Ninja Kids!!!, Ace Attorney, and For Love’s Sake.
Featuring human drama, extraordinary situations, as well as requiring the latest technology to become an action film, director Takashi Miike’s abilities will be put to the test with Terra Formars. Preparations to make a Terra Formars movie actually began around two years ago. The announcement for the production of the film was made one year before its release date. All this preparation time surely means that fans are highly anticipating an epic film.
Shooting for the film is set to begin from the middle of May. Announcements about the location, as well as cast information, will follow. The next topic of interest is sure to be about which actors and actresses will play the personality-rich characters.
[Comments by the Original Authors]
■ Writer Yu Sasuga
“It’s going to be a movie…!!
Mom… ‘Your manga is so confusing and I have no idea what it’s about. When are you going to find a job?’
And I won’t say any more……. Mom, it’s going to be a movie!!!”
■ Illustrator Kenichi Tachibana
“When I heard that it would be made into a live-action film, my first word was, ‘Really!?’ How in the world would they adapt it to a live-action movie… I had absolutely no clue. However, when it was decided that the person behind the megaphone would be director Miike, I felt, ‘Ah, it can be done!’ The power of the director’s passion, I think will further ignite the Terra Formars story. As one of the members of the audience, I greatly look forward to the live-action version of Terra Formars. Everyone, please look forward to it, too…! George!!”
[Comment from the Director]
■ Takashi Miike
“I want to prove that an ‘amazing movie’ can come from an ‘amazing manga’. Don’t underestimate this movie, it’s going to be hot!”
Terra Formars
Set to release 2016
Distributor: Warner Bros. Entertainment
Terra Formars Movie
© Yu Sasuga, Kenichi Tachibana / Shueisha Inc.
© 2016 Terra Formars Movie Production Committee
Source: animeanime