Lupin III (film)

This article is about the 2014 film. For the 1978 animated film, see Mystery of Mamo. For the 1974 live-action film, see Lupin III Strange Psychokinetic Strategy.
Lupin III

Japanese promotional poster
Directed by Ryuhei Kitamura
Produced by Mataichirō Yamamoto
Written by Mataichirō Yamamoto
Based on Lupin III 
by Monkey Punch
Starring Shun Oguri
Tetsuji Tamayama
Gō Ayano
Meisa Kuroki
Tadanobu Asano
Jerry Yan
Kim Joon
Music by Aldo Shllaku
Cinematography Pedro J. Márquez
Production
company
TBS Films
Kadokawa Shoten
Tristone Entertainment
Distributed by Toho
Release dates
  • August 30, 2014
Running time
 133 minutes
Country Japan
Language Japanese, English
Box office $22,343,643[1]

Lupin III (ルパン三世 Rupan Sansei) is a 2014 Japanese action film directed by Ryuhei Kitamura and based on the iconic manga by Monkey Punch. The film focuses on how the series' main characters met for the first time and will reportedly update the franchise to a contemporary setting.[2][3] It was premiered in Japan on August 30, 2014.[4]

Plot

Lupin and friends infiltrate a highly secured fortress-like safe named "Ark of Navarone" (ナヴァロンの箱舟) to claim the "Crimson Heart of Cleopatra" (クリムゾンハート・オブ・クレオパトラ).[5]

Cast

Thanayong Wongtrakul, Nirut Sirijanya, and Yaya Ying have been cast in unspecified roles.

Production

The film has been in the works for four years, with script development alone consuming two-and-a-half years. Franchise creator Monkey Punch acted as a creative consultant during the scripting and production.[6] Filming began on October 3, 2013, and included scenes shot in Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, and the Philippines, before moving to Thailand for two months. Principal photography concluded on December 26, 2013.[5] A confidant of Ryuhei Kitamura told the media that the director intended to update Lupin III to be more modern.[3]

The film's first promotional images of the cast were released on April 9.[7] The first teaser for the film was released online on April 25, 2014,[8] while the full trailer was uploaded on June 25.[9] The full trailer features the theme song, "Trick Attack -Theme of Lupin the Third", which was written and performed by Tomoyasu Hotei.[9][10]

Release

Upon release, the film reached second place at the Japanese box office.[11] It was released in Japan on DVD and Blu-ray on February 18, 2015 with a collector's edition.[12] Madman Entertainment has additionally licensed the film for Australia, with a release planned sometime in 2015.[13]

Planned sequel

Ryuhei Kitamura has confirmed that a sequel is in development.[14]

References

  1. ↑ http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/intl/?page=&country=PH&wk=2014W43&id=_fLUPINIII201
  2. ↑ "Lupin III Gets Live-Action Film in Summer 2014 Starring Shun Oguri". Anime News Network. 2013-11-26. Retrieved 2013-12-03.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Friend of Director: Live-Action Lupin III Film to Modernize Characters". Anime News Network. 2013-12-03. Retrieved 2013-12-04.
  4. ↑ "Live-Action Lupin III Film's August 30 Date, New Set Photo Revealed". Anime News Network. 2013-12-16. Retrieved 2013-12-16.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Live-Action Lupin III's 1st Character Visuals Unveiled". Anime News Network. 2014-04-08. Retrieved 2014-04-08.
  6. ↑ "'Lupin III' to get a live-action film adaptation starring Oguri Shun". Tokyohive. 2013-11-27. Retrieved 2013-12-04.
  7. ↑ Komatsu, Mikikazu (8 April 2014). "Character Visuals for "Lupin the Third" Live-Action Film Revealed". Crunchyroll.
  8. ↑ "New Live-Action Lupin III Film's 1st Trailer Streamed". Anime News Network. 25 April 2014.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 "New Live-Action Lupin III Film's Full Trailer Previews Theme Song". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2014-06-25.
  10. ↑ "Kill Bill's Tomoyasu Hotei Performs Live-Action Lupin III's Theme Song". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2014-06-23.
  11. ↑ "Japanese Box Office, August 30-31". Anime News Network. September 8, 2014. Retrieved September 18, 2014.
  12. ↑ "Lupin III Live-Action Film's Making-Of Video Streamed". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2 January 2015.
  13. ↑ "Australia's Madman Ent. Adds 2014 Live-Action Lupin III Film". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2 January 2015.
  14. ↑ "Exclusive interview! Director of “Lupin the Third,” Ryuhei Kitamura What's Up Hollywood2". YouTube. Retrieved 2 January 2015.

External links