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Ichi the Killer Distributor Prenom H Files for Bankruptcy

Japanese film distribution company Prenom H (Ichi the Killer) filed for bankruptcy in the Tokyo District Court for debts of 643 million yen (about US$7 million). The company suffered losses when Kiyoshi Kurosawa's (Juon: The Grudge creative department) film 1905 lost its lead actor Tony Leung.

Leung (Hero, Infernal Affairs), born in Hong Kong, came under fire in China for appearing in the film during the height of the Senkaku-Diaoyu Island dispute. 1905 was scheduled to shoot in Taiwan although the film's setting is in Yokohama, Japan. Leung left the film in September, a move Japanese movie studio Shochiku stated was understood.

The film was also slated to star Shota Matsuda (live-action Hana Yori Dango) and AKB48's Atsuko Maeda.

Diplomatic relations between China and Japan began deteriorating after Japan purchased the Senkaku Islands (called Diaoyu in China) from their private Japanese owners in September. The buyout was intended as a preemptive move after former Tokyo governor and nationalistic politician Shintaro Ishihara announced his intentions to have his metropolis buy it. However, China, Taiwan, and Japan all claim ownership of the territory, and anti-Japanese protests arose in both China and Taiwan.

Thanks to Daniel Zelter for the news tip.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter