Isshin Inudo and Shinji Higuchi co-direct historical epic "Nobou no Shiro"

by Chris MaGee
　
Isshin Inudo and Shinji Higuchi may not be Japanese film auteurs, but they are certainly busy and marketable journeymen filmmakers. Inudo is best known for films such as 2005's "La Maison de Himiko", 2008's "Gu Gu the Cat" and most recently the remake of Yoshitaro Nomura's "Zero Focus". Higuchi is best known for for such big budget films as 2005's "Lorelei: The Witch of the Pacific Ocean" and 2006's "Doomsday: The Sinking of Japan". So what do these two men have in common. Up until now not much, but a news report over at Tokyograph this week has changed all that.

The 50-year-old Inudo and the 45-year-old Higuchi have been tagged to co-direct an upcoming historical drama. "Nobou no Shiro", which is based on the novel by Ryo Wada (above right), will chronicle the battle waged by Narita Nagachika, a medieval samurai lord who lived during Japan's Sengoku, or Warring States Period, to defend Oshi Castle in Saitama Prefecture from the onslaught of Toyotomi Hideyoshi and his troops.

"Nobou no Shiro" will star 44-year-old actor Mansai Nomura (above left), best known for his role in both of Yojiro Takita's "Onmyoji" films, as Nagachika, while the rest of the cast will be rounded out by Koichi Sato, Tomomitsu Yamaguchi, and Hiroki Narimiya. Watch for "Nobou no Shiro" to get a Japanese theatrical release next year. Thanks to Oricon Style for the above image.