Famous for giving George Lucas more than a bit of inspiration when it came to creating C-3PO and R2-D2 (as well as a large chunk of Star Wars’ plot), Akira Kurosawa’s The Hidden Fortress is getting the remake treatment thanks to Japanese film studio Toho.
With a back catalogue that has been ripped off (or homaged depending on your viewpoint) more times than perhaps any other director, it at least makes a change for one of Kurosawa’s flicks to be openly re-worked.
The new version will be directed by Shinji Higuchi, responsible for last year's The Sinking Of Japan but best known for his special effects work. The 1958 film - known as Kakushi Toride no San Akunin in Japanese, fact fans - is an action/comedy starring Toshiro Mifune. Taking the Mifune role in the redux will be romantic comedy star Hiroshi Abe, with Masami Nagasawa taking on the role of Princess Uehara and Jun Matsumoto of the boy band Arashi playing the part of the peasant refugees (now combined into one character) who were the template for the loveable droid duo.
Shooting is scheduled to begin in early November, with a May 2008 release in mind.