Keanu Reeves is set to lend his voice to the title role of Hidari, a Japanese stop-motion action feature in development from director Masashi Kawamura. This announcement comes from the Cannes Film Festival, where the project's producers revealed the exciting news. Hidari is an expansion of Kawamura's viral 2023 proof-of-concept short, which has amassed nearly 5 million views on YouTube. The film is inspired by the legend of Jingoro Hidari, a legendary master carpenter from Japan's Edo period, and follows his journey of grief and vengeance. Reeves, known for his versatile roles, is thrilled to be part of this unique project. He expressed his excitement, stating that the team's vision and script make it an exceptional film, and he's eager to contribute to its success. This marks another voice-acting role for Reeves, who has previously lent his voice to Duke Caboom in Pixar's Toy Story 4 and Shadow the Hedgehog in Sonic the Hedgehog 3. He has also ventured into producing and narrating, showcasing his diverse talents. Kawamura, a Tokyo-based director and creative, is known for his genre-fluid and design-driven work, including commercials, music videos, and large-scale installations. He has received numerous accolades, such as a Cristal at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival and an International Emmy nomination. Hidari is produced by Noriko Matsumoto, head of Dwarf Studios, which has collaborated with Netflix on the Rilakkuma series. The feature is a co-production between Dwarf Studios, Tokyo creative agency Whatever, and animation house TECARAT. Questry Co.'s Tomonobu Ibe provides financing, ensuring the project's financial stability. Kawamura expressed his enthusiasm for collaborating with Reeves, highlighting the impact of his involvement on shaping the film's world. While a release date is yet to be announced, Hidari promises to be a visually stunning and captivating adventure, blending Japanese folklore with innovative stop-motion animation. This collaboration between a legendary actor and a visionary director is sure to create a unique and memorable cinematic experience.
