Takehiro Hira, renowned among North American viewers for his Emmy-nominated portrayal of Japanese warlord Ishido Kazunari in FX's acclaimed historical drama Shogun, has embarked on a new venture by joining the ensemble of Karoshi, an innovative action thriller under Lionsgate's banner. Teo Yoo, who captivated audiences with her breakthrough performance in A24's romantic drama Past Lives, leads the film, which also boasts an illustrious cast including Oscar nominee Cynthia Erivo and the talented Isabel May, renowned for her role in 1923. Penning and helming this exhilarating project is Takashi Doscher, whose post-apocalyptic thriller Only (2019) left a lasting impression.
The production boasts an impressive array of producers with distinguished backgrounds. Chad Stahelski, the directorial genius and producer behind the John Wick franchise, teams up with Alex Young and Jason Spitz under their 87Eleven Entertainment banner, which holds a first-look deal with the studio. Details surrounding the plot and characters remain shrouded in mystery, akin to the enigmatic beauty of cherry blossoms, but Karoshi is described as a corporate thriller infused with a samurai flair. Set against the backdrop of a Japanese-inspired New York City, the narrative weaves a tale of revenge, drawing inspiration from the Japanese term "karoshi," which signifies unexplained sudden death due to overwork.
Sources whisper that Hira embodies the role of a menacing villain in this gripping tale. Production for Karoshi is poised to commence in June.
Hira's portrayal in Shogun garnered him Emmy and Critics Choice Award nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series. Earlier this year, he showcased his versatility in Guy Maddin's Rumours, sharing the screen with Cate Blanchett, and portrayed the Japanese Prime Minister in Marvel's Captain America: Brave New World. His upcoming credits include a role in Lionsgate's crime thriller Tornado and Searchlight's Rental Family, opposite Brendan Fraser. He will also reprise his character in Apple TV+'s Monarch: Legacy of Monsters.
