Cast announced for Toho's remake of Yoshitaro Nomura's "Zero Focus"

by Chris MaGee

In December I told you about the upcoming remake of one of my favorite mystery films of all time, Yoshitaro Nomura's "Zero Focus". This year marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of Seicho Matsumoto, the author of the book that Nomura's 1961 noir mystery is based on and thus this remake, and today Tokyograph has word on who will be starring in this Toho produced project. Ryoko Hirosue (above left), who most recently starred in the critical and financial blockbuster "Departures (Okuribito)" will be stepping into the role of Teiko Uhara, a young newlywed who searches for her missing husband, originally played by Yoshiko Kuga (above right). Rounding out the cast are some pretty big names: Hidetoshi Nishijima will star as Teiko's missing husband, Kenichi, Takeshi Kaga as the head of Kenichi's company, Miki Nakatani as the company head's wife, Tae Kimura as the office receptionist with a dark secret and Tetta Sugimoto as Kenichi's brother who assists Teiko in the search for her missing husband. Top notch talent for a top notch mystery. It definitely eases my doubts a bit... but only a bit.

The remade "Zero Fous" is currently being shot by director Isshin Inudo in Kanazawa and Toho is expected to release it this fall.