47 RONIN May Have Found Their Director

Carl Erik Rinsch better start honing his samurai sword, as, according to Variety, the commercial director is nearing a deal with Universal to helm the Keanu Reeves-starring 47 RONIN.   This film will be the feature film debut for Rinsch who was previously rumored to be on the shortlist for the upcoming ALIEN prequel.   That was, until Ridley Scott decided it was time to step back into the world of sci-fi.   Needless to say, Fox welcomed Scott back into the ALIEN world with open arms, and Rinsch was forced to look elsewhere for his first film.

47 RONIN, written by Chris Morgan (CELLULAR, WANTED, and FAST & FURIOUS), tells the true tale of Japanese samurai swordsmen who, in the early 18th century, took revenge on those responsible for the death of their master.   The classic tale has been altered slightly for Morgan’s screenplay to include the half-Asian Reeves as one of the swordsmen.   The story is said to include fantastical elements a la LORD OF THE RINGS with battle scenes on par with 300 and GLADIATOR.

It is odd for a studio to have a first-time filmmaker stepping into a project they consider a tent pole, as 47 RONIN is.   Perhaps the success of Neill Blomkamp and DISTRICT 9 has causes studios to turn their attention towards lesser known directors with a visual eye.   Rinsch has made a name for himself directing ads for brands like Mercedes, Sprite, BMW, and Heineken.

With Universal looking to get a director on board this project, expect filming to begin sometime in the second quarter 2010 with a potential release date sometime in Summer of 2011.