Fumihiko Sori, the director of the live-action adaptation of Hiromu Arakawa's Fullmetal Alchemist manga, revealed more details about the film to the entertainment website Oricon on Saturday. Sori revealed that the film will not be in two parts — as in past live-action adaptations such as Rurouni Kenshin, Attack on Titan, or Chihayafuru — but will instead be told in one complete film. Additionally, Ed's age will be 20 in the film, where he was originally 15 in the manga.
Sori told Oricon he has a deep affection for the story that tells the "truth of living," and said, "It is my dearest wish to turn this wonderful story into a film, and it is not an exaggeration to say that I am living for this reason." He added that he "wants to create a wonderful film that will use techniques that challenge Hollywood," and noted that nowadays Japanese filmmaking techniques have progressed greatly.
Sori also said although up until now, he has used CG in places you wouldn't notice it, and for this film, he plans to use a type of CG that he wants the audience to see. He also is planning to use both types of CG in great quantities.
The planning for the film began to move forward three years ago. Regarding the faithfulness of the adaptation, which has characters of non-Japanese ethnicity, the director said, "There will never be a scene in which a character says something that would identify him/her as Japanese." Sori additionally echoed the statements previously reported on that he has confidence viewers will be satisfied with the way Alphonse will be portrayed in the film.
The film will star Ryōsuke Yamada (Hey! Say! JUMP member and live-action Assassination Classroom's Nagisa) as Edward Elric, Tsubasa Honda (live-action Blue Spring Ride's Futaba) as Winry Rockbell, and Dean Fujioka (live-action Happy Marriage!?) as Roy Mustang. Other cast members include:
Fumiyo Kohinata as General Hakuro
Ryuta Sato as Maes Hughes
Misako Renbutsu as Riza Hawkeye
Natsuna as Maria Ross
Natsuki Harada as Gracia Hughes
Yo Oizumi as Shou Tucker
Jun Kunimura as Doctor Marco
Yasuko Matsuyuki as Lust
Kanata Hongou as Envy
Shinji Uchiyama as Gluttony
Kenjiro Ishimaru as Father Cornello
Filming is scheduled to begin in Italy at the beginning of June, and wrap up in Japan in the second half of August. The film will premiere in Japan in winter 2017.
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