Amblin TV has announced they’re developing a small-screen adaptation of the 1950 classic from legendary Japanese film writer/director Akira Kurosawa, Rashomon.
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The original film, co-written by Kurosawa and Shinobu Hasimoto and directed by the former, revolves around the rape of a bride and the murder of her samurai husband and sees the story told from four different perspectives, that of a bandit, the bride, a woodcutter and the ghost of the samurai.
It received rave reviews from critics worldwide except for those from its country of origin and is widely considered as the first to put Japanese filmmaking onto the world stage, winning several awards including an Academy Honorary Award at the 24th Academy Awards in 1952 and consistently appears on numerous lists for the best films of all time.
The series, which will be executive produced by Amblin’s co-presidents Darryl Frank and Justin Falvey alongside Atmosphere’s Mark Canton, David Hopwood and Opus 7’s Leigh Ann Burton, will adapt the story into a 10-part mystery drama surrounding a single event, which has yet to be announced, and will tell the story from each of the different characters’ perspectives.
“We couldn’t be more excited to adapt this extraordinary film as the foundation for a new dramatic mystery thriller series,” said Frank and Falvey in a statement. “It will explore the boundaries of truth and how different perspectives don’t often reveal the same reality. We also couldn’t be happier to be in business with Mark, Leigh Ann, and David who are great producers and partners.”
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Kurosawa’s previous work has been adapted for international audiences before, with Seven Samurai becoming the 1960 western classic The Magnificent Seven and Yojimbo acting as both an inspiration and source material for numerous works, including the official remakes A Fistful of Dollars, which spawned its own trilogy starring Clint Eastwood (The Mule) in the lead role, and Last Man Standing starring Bruce Willis (Death Wish), as well as influencing an episode of the acclaimed animated series Samurai Jack.
