Latest Product & Project News

UPCOMING PROJECTS:

Snakes and Earrings 蛇にピアス
Role: Gang Member (Cameo)
Official Site: http://hebi.gyao.jp/

As you are probably aware, Tatsuya was one of the cameo roles in this movie by Yukio Ninagawa based on the original novel of the same name. The movie was released to Japanese cinemas on the 20th September 2008, and so far we are still waiting for news of a DVD release…

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ZEN 禅
Role: Cameo
Official Site: http://www.zen.sh/

This movie will star Tatsuya’s friend Kantarou Nakamura and is directed by Banmei Takahashi. Tatsuya will appear in (another) cameo role and can be seen in the trailer. The movie is based on a novel by Tetsuo Ohtani. As of yet, Tatsuya’s character name is unknown.

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Musashi 武蔵
Role: Miyamoto Musashi
Official Site: N/A

Still not alot is known about this Stage Production other than Tatsuya will star in it with Oguri Shun. The story, which revolves around the famous swordsman Miyamoto Musashi, was penned by Inoue more than 20 years ago. He had hoped to turn it into a Broadway musical, but the dream was never realized. Three years ago, he worked with Ninagawa for the first time on a different play, and they eventually decided to team up again to take “Musashi” to the stage.

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Kaiji
Role: Kaiji Ito
Official Site: N/A

A while ago Tatsuya was spotted filming scenes for this upcoming movie – and nothing was known until an official announcement was made last week. This is another live action movie based on a manga starring Tatsuya (and unfortunately will yet again bring out all of the Tatsuya haters out there… but alas…). The main character of the story. Kaiji is in poverty – he lives by himself in a slum and is constantly in debt. He bides his time by playing cheap gambling games with neighbors, though he always loses. In spite of this, when his life is in danger, he displays a remarkable hidden capacity for gambling, which allows him to endure the hardships he faces in the manga. He is shouldered with a 3,850,000 yen debt at the beginning of the story by a coworker who convinced him into consigning a loan, leaving Kaiji with the full weight of the debt compounded over a year. It is rumoured that this will be made into a series of films, however, more info when I know it!

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YAKUZA 3 龍が如く 3
Role: Voice Role
Official Site: http://ryu-ga-gotoku.com/three/

This is the third (technically 4th) in a series of PS3 games titled ‘Yazuka’ or ‘Ryu ga Gotoku’. Tatsuya can be heard voicing a part within the game (I’m not totally sure of the character’s name yet). Upon recording the part, he stated: “I have never recorded for a video game before, however, it was a very good and valuable experinece. After reading the script I realised it is of a very high standard and the kind of world that is very rich for the character. Please enjoy this new work!”

UPCOMING PRODUCTS:

Tatsuya Fujiwara 2009 Calendar
Released: 25 October 2008
Buy this product: Yesasia

Kamome (The Seagull) DVD
Released: 03 December 2008
Buy this product: Yesasia

Chameleon DVD
Released: 05 December 2008
Buy this product: Yesasia

Urunrun Vol.5 Tatsuya Fujiwara
Released: 23 January 2009
Buy this product: Yesasia

Jounetsu Tairiku x Fujiwara Tatsuya
Released: 23 January 2009
Buy this product: Amazon

TATSUYA FUJIWARA (JAPAN)

JASON GRAY

In the final shot of director Kinji Fukasaku’s Battle Royale, a teenage boy who was not supposed to survive the government’s horrifically staged game of death runs off into an uncertain future.

Actor Tatsuya Fujiwara — who played ‘Boy #15’ — has a much surer future ahead of him.

Born in Saitama Prefecture in 1982, Fujiwara developed a strong interest in acting at a young age. At 15, he auditioned for famed theatre director Yukio Ninagawa’s production of avant-garde playwright Shuji Terayama’s play Shintokumaru: Poison Boy.

It was subsequently performed at London’s Barbican, and Ninagawa described Fujiwara as “a rare talent”.

From that auspicious debut Fujiwara, represented by agency HoriPro, has been winning roles constantly.

But it was his emotional performance in Battle Royale that won him wide acclaim: he picked up the Japan Academy Prize for Best Newcomer, and went on to pick up several other awards.

“It’s hard to say what I like about acting in one word, but it’s great collaborating with a group of talented people,” says Fujiwara, who has a gravity beyond his years.

Following two Battle Royale films, the actor landed a lead role in Death Note as a high school student corrupted by the power of a notebook that can kill.

Both Death Note films earned a combined $80m, making Fujiwara a household name in Japan.

The actor has continued TV work, including popular series Shinsengumi, but his true passion lies in the theatre. “As far as acting, there’s not much difference between stage and screen, but they each have their own charms. I’d like to continue doing both movies and plays,” he says.

Just before joining Star Summit Asia, Fujiwara completed a 54-performance run of The Merchant Of Venice at Tokyo’s Galaxy Theatre under highly respected UK theatre director Gregory Doran.

Having already achieved considerable success in Japanese film, stage and television, Fujiwara is looking to branch out overseas.

“It’s an exciting time for films coming out of Korea and the rest of Asia. I’m interested in working with directors and actors from other countries,” he states.

And, despite his ever-growing fame and respect, Fujiwara is modest about his participation in Star Summit Asia. “It’s an honour to be invited along with such talented actors. I hope to meet a lot of people and gain new experiences.”

Source Site: Screendaily.com

Rumours about Tatsuya & Hikaru Utada

I’ve been noticing a few rumours flying around about Tatsuya going on a date with Hikaru Utada in various news places… here is a translation from Hikaru’s Official Blog:

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“Also, I have no idea from which source this came out, but seems like there’s such a story like I was spotted together with Fujiwara Tatsuya san, the actor.

This is a totally groundless gossip, and I haven’t even met him before . . . There’s a possibility though, that he was dating with someone that looked like me!

It seems like, I’ve been kinda targeted, since lately I’m often dogged by some media cars on the way back form work, or staked out around my house. That’s unusual. Maybe they’re thinking something could happen around me as it’s been half a year since I got divorced, I guess?“

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So there you have it. The news was originally posted in the Weekly Woman (週刊女性) saying Tatsuya & Hikaru were seen on an ‘intimate date’ at a karaoke bar…

News Source: Livedoor.com | Hikaru’s Blog Translation Source: Hikki Texts

Korea: Pusan Unveils Star Summit Asian Guestlist

The Pusan International Film Festival has named the list of actors who will participate in its second annual Star Summit Asia.

The Curtain Call program intended for more established thesps will include Korean-American John Cho (“Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle”), Japan’s Tatsuya Fujiwara (“Death Note”), Korean Lim Soo-jung (“I’m a Cyborg, But That’s OK”), Thailand’s Ananda Everingham (“Ploy”), China’s Yu Nan (Berlinale winner “Tuya’s Marriage” as well as “Speed Racer”), and Korean Zo In-sung (“A Dirty Carnival”).
Yu Nan Zo In-sung

Stars and their management firms will be showcased at the festival and given opportunities to network, in the hopes of encouraging cross-border casting. Recent films by the selected actors will also be screened to attendees of the Asian Film Market.

Events will dovetail with the newly-launched Co-Production PRO, a new program to support international co-productions. Meanwhile, the Casting Board program for up-and-coming stars will include Sei Ashina (Japan, “Silk”), Baek Sung-hyun (Korea, “Romancing Flower”), Kim Ki-bum (Korea, “Attack on the Pin-Up Boys”), Kim Jae-seung (Korea, TV drama “Billie Jean Look at Me”), Haruma Miura (Japan, “Koizora”), Sa Hee (Korea, “Radio Days”), Tong Da-wei (China, “Red Cliff”), and Yang Jin-woo (Korea, “Seven Days”).

News Source: Asianpopcorn.com

Archived: August 2007 – Batch News

Some translated Tatsuya news from his official site:

MAGAZINE NEWS:

18 July
An interview with Tatsuya will appear in the new issue of 「LOOK at STAR!（ﾙｯｸｱｯﾄｽﾀｰ）」. I’m not sure but I *think* it’s issue 23 released 27th July.

25 July
Two more magazines that Tatsuya is featured in:

02 AUG – ｼｱﾀｰｶﾞｲﾄﾞ (Theatre Guide) LINK
12 AUG – Vingtaine（ｳﾞｧﾝﾃｰﾇ）LINK

I think there was also some news of Tatsuya’s interview being in Weekly ぴあ, but I think it may have been delayed for the next edition? I’m not sure (^_^;)

If anyone knows anywhere else you can buy these magazines online, please let us know!

STAGE PRODUCTION NEWS:

21 July
Tatsuya’s first Stage Performance of ‘Shintokumaru’ (originally in 1997) will be touring Japan again in 2008! Tatsuya will star again as the boy of the title (^_^) Here is the schedule:

NAGOYA
20～24 Feb, 2008 – 愛知厚生年金会館

OSAKA
27 Feb～4 March, 2008 – シアタードラマシティ

SAITAMA (Tatsuya’s birth place)
7 March~10 April, 2008 – 彩の国さいたま芸術劇場

30 July
The schedule for Tatsuya’s play The Merchant of Venice has been released:

You can view it: here

TELEVISION NEWS:

30 July
Tatsuya appeared on the NHK Television show ﾄｯﾌﾟﾗﾝﾅｰ (TOP RUNNER) for the 10th anniversary special on the 28th July. This show will be repeated on 12th August at 26.30 (?) if anyone can record it for us that would be awesome (^_^)

Here are some photos: