‘Map’ Leads Coixet to Kikuchi

Rinko Kikuchi, whose star making Oscar nominated turn in Babel put her on the map, is in talks to star in Isabel Coixet’s next film Map of the Sounds of Tokyo. Spain-based shingle Mediapro, who are in bed with Woody Allen for three films including his latest Victoria Christina Barcelona, are producing.

The dual Japanese/English project is “a Japanese-set dramatic thriller that centers on a fish-market employee who doubles as a contract killer” according to THR. More obliquely Coixet told Variety back in February at the Berlinale that the film follows “an obsessed man who collects sounds and women.” How those two descriptions relate is a mystery. The Spanish filmmaker has made a career of globetrotting, crafting intimate character-dramas with strong performances so working in Tokyo should be a breeze for her. Her latest film Elegy starring Ben Kingsley and Penelope Cruz as unlikely lovers opened in limited release this past weekend to the tune of over $100,000 on only six screens.

As for Kikuchi, she and her oddly appealing overbite will next be seen in Rian Johnson’s con-man comedy The Brothers Bloom in October as well as the star-studded Shanghai by Mikael Håfström which will be baiting awards this December. Cruz was originally attached to the project when it was first announced but it is unclear whether she has been replaced by the Japanese actress. Going by the plot descriptions I would venture to say that both will appear as victims of the lady-loving killer/sound enthusiast. It will be interesting to see who is cast in that role. No word on a potential start date.