News

Gantz U.S. Showings to Add Live Interview with 2 Stars

The Washington Post newspaper confirms that Viz Pictures' New People unit and the digital theater distributor NCM Fathom will hold the world premiere of the first of two live-action Gantz films on Thursday, January 20 throughout the United States. "An exclusive live interview" with the film's stars Kazunari Ninomiya and Ken'ichi Matsuyama will immediately follow the English over-dubbed screenings. The one-night event will run at 8:00 p.m. EST, 7:00 p.m. CST, 6:00 p.m. MST, and 8:30 p.m. PST (tape delayed). (NCM's website currently lists a January 29 date.)

Ninomiya (Tekkonkinkreet, Letters from Iwo Jima) of the Arashi musical group and award-winning actor Matsuyama (Death Note, Detroit Metal City, NANA, The Legend of Kamui) star as two friends who are resurrected after a deadly subway accident and forced to take on violent, mysterious missions. Yuriko Yoshitaka (Kaiji), Natsuna, and Takayuki Yamada (Train Man, Crows Zero, H2: Kimi to Ita Hibi) also star in this film from director Shinsuke Satō (The Princess Blade, Suna-dokei, Oblivion Island: Haruka and the Magic Mirror).

The production staff had announced at the first film's Japanese premiere on Monday that the film will run in 300 theaters in the United States. According to Cinema Today, 19 companies from the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and other Western countries offered to distribute the two films. The first film will open in Japan on January 29, and the second film will open on April 23.

Oku launched the "Final Phase" of the original Gantz manga in Shueisha's Weekly Young Jump magazine last year. Gantz has been running in the magazine since July of 2000, and the first 27 volumes have sold over 10 million copies. Dark Horse Comics will publish the 14th volume of the original manga in North America next month. ADV Films released Gonzo's television anime adaptation of the manga.

NCM Fathom specializes in digital screenings in theaters throughout the United States. Its use of digital cinema technology allows it to hold one-night events and live simulcasts nationwide.

Thanks to Supermutant for the news tip.