Clockwise from left: Atlas (Netflix), My Oni Girl (Netflix), Unfrosted (Netflix)Image: The A.V. Club
Netflix offers a few high-profile originals this May as the summer movie season gets ready to kick off in theaters. Jerry Seinfeld makes his feature directorial debut and acts in Unfrosted, a comedy about the...
Netflix offers a few high-profile originals this May as the summer movie season gets ready to kick off in theaters. Jerry Seinfeld makes his feature directorial debut and acts in Unfrosted, a comedy about the...
- 5/3/2024
- by Robert DeSalvo
- avclub.com
Allow me to start with a personal note. I consider the late James Clavell one of the best authors of all time, with his Asian Saga novels in particular being a series of truly masterful works. His combination of historical events (if somewhat altered) with the presentation of the social, cultural, political and financial context of the areas the books take place in is truly astonishing to read. Even more so, his writing is completely clean-cut without the usual, unnecessarily long descriptions and utterly useless scenes of dreams etc, with every word counting throughout his work. It is also a true pleasure to say that the creators of the new “Shogun” have managed to capture all these traits in a truly impressive production.
It is also worth stating that John Blackthorne, the protagonist here is loosely based on the on the historical English navigator William Adams, who came to Japan...
It is also worth stating that John Blackthorne, the protagonist here is loosely based on the on the historical English navigator William Adams, who came to Japan...
- 5/2/2024
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Shōgun, the critically acclaimed historical drama created by Rachel Kondo and Justin Marks, finished its 10-episode run on FX last week. Anna Sawai received acclaim from critics and viewers alike for her portrayal of the tragic Toda Mariko.
The New Zealand-born actress, 31, is expected to be flooded with some good film offers, and it would not be shocking if she got a chance to play a big superhero role at some point. When speaking with THR about her career in Hollywood, Sawai hinted that her big break might have come much sooner.
Anna Sawai as Toda Mariko in Shōgun
She had the opportunity to audition for the role of Katana in Suicide Squad (2016), but she had to pass that up because of her commitment to her J-Pop group, Faky. Fortunately for us, Sawai could still be cast in a wide range of roles that are spiritually related to her Shōgun character.
The New Zealand-born actress, 31, is expected to be flooded with some good film offers, and it would not be shocking if she got a chance to play a big superhero role at some point. When speaking with THR about her career in Hollywood, Sawai hinted that her big break might have come much sooner.
Anna Sawai as Toda Mariko in Shōgun
She had the opportunity to audition for the role of Katana in Suicide Squad (2016), but she had to pass that up because of her commitment to her J-Pop group, Faky. Fortunately for us, Sawai could still be cast in a wide range of roles that are spiritually related to her Shōgun character.
- 5/2/2024
- by Siddhika Prajapati
- FandomWire
Despite the widely despised series finale of "Game of Thrones" -- which, for the record, we at /Film didn't hate nearly as much as the rest of the world seemed to at the time -- the show was an immense cultural juggernaut for HBO, and in the risk-averse television landscape, it's only natural that other channels and streamers saw that show's success and wanted to replicate it for themselves. Prime Video spend ungodly amounts of money on the rights to a TV show set in "The Lord of the Rings" universe, Netflix dumped a bunch of money into the forgotten "Marco Polo," and even History got into the mix with "Vikings."
FX, meanwhile, decided to greenlight "Shogun," a tremendously expensive-looking adaptation of James Clavell's 1975 novel (which was previously adapted into an ultra-popular miniseries in the '80s). After enduring production delays due to the pandemic and finally premiering this February,...
FX, meanwhile, decided to greenlight "Shogun," a tremendously expensive-looking adaptation of James Clavell's 1975 novel (which was previously adapted into an ultra-popular miniseries in the '80s). After enduring production delays due to the pandemic and finally premiering this February,...
- 5/1/2024
- by Ben Pearson
- Slash Film
Anna Sawai is still processing the degree to which her life has changed because of Shōgun, the smash-hit FX show on which she plays Lady Mariko, and as a result of which she has become an Emmy frontrunner (for best actress in a limited or anthology series or a TV movie) and is rapidly making her way towards Hollywood’s A-list.
The New Zealand-born Japanese actress, 31, said as much last week when she recorded an episode of The Hollywood Reporter’s Awards Chatter podcast in front of an audience of film students at Chapman University, some 24 hours after Shōgun’s series finale — or perhaps season finale, given industry chatter that there may be additional episodes, something that Sawai finds exciting.
People who have not yet have caught up to Shōgun might still recognize Sawai from one of her wide variety of past projects. Between 2013 and 2018 she was a member of...
The New Zealand-born Japanese actress, 31, said as much last week when she recorded an episode of The Hollywood Reporter’s Awards Chatter podcast in front of an audience of film students at Chapman University, some 24 hours after Shōgun’s series finale — or perhaps season finale, given industry chatter that there may be additional episodes, something that Sawai finds exciting.
People who have not yet have caught up to Shōgun might still recognize Sawai from one of her wide variety of past projects. Between 2013 and 2018 she was a member of...
- 5/1/2024
- by Scott Feinberg
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Den of Geek readers have presale access to the next big The Lord of the Rings concert event at Radio City Music Hall in 2025. Don’t miss it!
“At long last, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King is coming to New York City for 5 performances at Radio City Music Hall. Howard Shore’s Academy and Grammy Award-winning score will be presented live in concert. Experience the epic motion picture and its legendary score beneath a 60-foot screen accompanied by 238 musicians, including symphony orchestra, chorus, and soloists on February 27, 28, March 1 and 2, 2025.”
Purchase using code Rotkdog
After the initial red carpet interviews at The Fall Guy premiere, Ryan Gosling reprised his Beavis and Butt-Head look from the viral SNL sketch.
“Beavis and Butt-Head made an unexpected red carpet debut at the Los Angeles premiere of The Fall Guy on Tuesday night. Ryan Gosling and Mikey Day appeared on...
“At long last, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King is coming to New York City for 5 performances at Radio City Music Hall. Howard Shore’s Academy and Grammy Award-winning score will be presented live in concert. Experience the epic motion picture and its legendary score beneath a 60-foot screen accompanied by 238 musicians, including symphony orchestra, chorus, and soloists on February 27, 28, March 1 and 2, 2025.”
Purchase using code Rotkdog
After the initial red carpet interviews at The Fall Guy premiere, Ryan Gosling reprised his Beavis and Butt-Head look from the viral SNL sketch.
“Beavis and Butt-Head made an unexpected red carpet debut at the Los Angeles premiere of The Fall Guy on Tuesday night. Ryan Gosling and Mikey Day appeared on...
- 5/1/2024
- by Michael Ahr
- Den of Geek
It’s almost hard to imagine anyone else doing Bill Cutting in place of the legendary Daniel Day-Lewis in Gangs of New York, or Tim Robbins’ Andy Dufresne in The Shawshank Redemption but Hollywood veteran Tom Hanks came pretty close to playing several iconic characters including Cutting and Dufresne. The actor was also in negotiation to play one of Keanu Reeves’ roles.
Tom Hanks and Tyler Hoechlin in Road to Perdition
Of course, it’s not John Wick, it would have been kind of weird seeing Hanks as John Wick, as for fans, Reeves was immersed in the character and he is now hard to replace. But Hanks almost booked the slot of the 1994 hit action thriller, Speed. But the role eventually went to the John Wick star.
Tom Hanks Turned Down Speed Tom Hanks in Saving Private Ryan
Tom Hanks has an astonishing legacy as an actor with the...
Tom Hanks and Tyler Hoechlin in Road to Perdition
Of course, it’s not John Wick, it would have been kind of weird seeing Hanks as John Wick, as for fans, Reeves was immersed in the character and he is now hard to replace. But Hanks almost booked the slot of the 1994 hit action thriller, Speed. But the role eventually went to the John Wick star.
Tom Hanks Turned Down Speed Tom Hanks in Saving Private Ryan
Tom Hanks has an astonishing legacy as an actor with the...
- 5/1/2024
- by Lachit Roy
- FandomWire
Hiroyuki Sanada is a well-respected actor who debuted at 5 in the 1965 film Game of Chance, but his first significant role was in 1978’s The Shogun Samurai. This role catapulted his stardom in Japan, and is still respected as one of the most talented action stars in the country. Sanada is also a singer and trained martial artist whose skills have allowed him to make a name for himself in the entertainment industry. Sanada became famous in Hollywood in the 200s with films like The Twilight Samurai, The Last Samurai, and Kenji in Rush Hour 3. His talent and skill in martial arts and acting
The post 6 Best Hiroyuki Sanada Movies and TV Shows first appeared on TVovermind.
The post 6 Best Hiroyuki Sanada Movies and TV Shows first appeared on TVovermind.
- 5/1/2024
- by Isabel k
- TVovermind.com
Since The Last Update
With the May 31 Emmys eligibility cutoff almost exactly one month away, Emmys-related action is picking up.
On April 22, Ryan Seacrest, Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan came out for a screening and reception in Hollywood on behalf of ABC’s American Idol. Meanwhile, in New York, Peter Morgan, creator and principal writer of Netflix’s The Crown, was feted at the opening of his new Broadway play Patriots. And that same night, FX’s Shōgun had a well-received series — or season? — finale. (The following evening its lead actress, Anna Sawai, sat down with yours truly at Chapman University to record an episode of THR’s Awards Chatter podcast.)
On April 24, Max toasted the third season of Hacks (which debuts on May 2) with a party at the Chateau Marmont attended by the show’s creators and stars, including Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder. And at the same time,...
With the May 31 Emmys eligibility cutoff almost exactly one month away, Emmys-related action is picking up.
On April 22, Ryan Seacrest, Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan came out for a screening and reception in Hollywood on behalf of ABC’s American Idol. Meanwhile, in New York, Peter Morgan, creator and principal writer of Netflix’s The Crown, was feted at the opening of his new Broadway play Patriots. And that same night, FX’s Shōgun had a well-received series — or season? — finale. (The following evening its lead actress, Anna Sawai, sat down with yours truly at Chapman University to record an episode of THR’s Awards Chatter podcast.)
On April 24, Max toasted the third season of Hacks (which debuts on May 2) with a party at the Chateau Marmont attended by the show’s creators and stars, including Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder. And at the same time,...
- 4/30/2024
- by Scott Feinberg
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The latest critical darling of the episodic content world is Shogun, a masterful adaptation of James Clavell’s 1975 novel set in early 1600s Japan. The series has been getting a lot of love on social media for its excellent writing, standout performances, high production value, and how closely it hews to the source material.
The cast and crew behind Shogun have been interacting with fans and critics, and revealing details about the conception and creation of the world shown in the series. During one such interaction, it was revealed that Adam Sandler’s character from Uncut Gems provided major inspiration for the development of the show’s breakout character. The wily lord of Izu Kashigi Yabushige, played to perfection by Tadanobu Asano.
Yabushige And The World of Shogun A still from Shogun
Shogun tells the story of two highly ambitious men, Major John Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis), and Lord Yoshii Toranaga...
The cast and crew behind Shogun have been interacting with fans and critics, and revealing details about the conception and creation of the world shown in the series. During one such interaction, it was revealed that Adam Sandler’s character from Uncut Gems provided major inspiration for the development of the show’s breakout character. The wily lord of Izu Kashigi Yabushige, played to perfection by Tadanobu Asano.
Yabushige And The World of Shogun A still from Shogun
Shogun tells the story of two highly ambitious men, Major John Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis), and Lord Yoshii Toranaga...
- 4/30/2024
- by Neeraj Chand
- FandomWire
This article includes spoilers for Shōgun (and Game of Thrones too).
It is a spectacular sight. Five armies, each serving one of the great clans and regents of feudal Japan at the end of the Sengoku period, gather on a field at Sekigahara. Nothing less than the fate of the realm hangs in the balance, and Lord Ishido Kazunari (Takehiro Hira) is about to be delivered the fatal blow when a letter reveals his betrothed, Lady Ochiba-no-kata (Fumi Nikaido), has thrown in her lot with their mortal enemy. The slaughter which is to commence against him will be immense.
… Or so we’re told. Because all of this devastating spectacle is a tease, a trick or shadow on the wall, as one might say. It’s a vision of the future gifted from one man to another who is already dead. We are supposed to take it on faith that...
It is a spectacular sight. Five armies, each serving one of the great clans and regents of feudal Japan at the end of the Sengoku period, gather on a field at Sekigahara. Nothing less than the fate of the realm hangs in the balance, and Lord Ishido Kazunari (Takehiro Hira) is about to be delivered the fatal blow when a letter reveals his betrothed, Lady Ochiba-no-kata (Fumi Nikaido), has thrown in her lot with their mortal enemy. The slaughter which is to commence against him will be immense.
… Or so we’re told. Because all of this devastating spectacle is a tease, a trick or shadow on the wall, as one might say. It’s a vision of the future gifted from one man to another who is already dead. We are supposed to take it on faith that...
- 4/30/2024
- by David Crow
- Den of Geek
In 2003, martial arts enthusiast Lauro Chartrand-DelValle took a job as fight coordinator on Edward Zwick‘s historical action film “The Last Samurai” and assumed it would be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. “I thought I was extremely fortunate to get a chance to do a samurai epic once in my career,” Chartrand-DelValle told IndieWire. He was thrilled, therefore, when Hiroyuki Sanada, one of the actors from “The Last Samurai,” revealed that he was working on FX’s new adaptation of James Clavell’s “Shōgun” and wanted to collaborate with Chartrand-DelValle again. “It was a dream job,” the stunt coordinator said.
Like “The Last Samurai,” “Shōgun” is a period epic filled with elaborately choreographed action and massive challenges for a stunt team, but Chartrand-DelValle felt well prepared given the series’ generous pre-production schedule. “Right out of the gate the first huge task was to train everybody as best we could prior to going in front of the camera,...
Like “The Last Samurai,” “Shōgun” is a period epic filled with elaborately choreographed action and massive challenges for a stunt team, but Chartrand-DelValle felt well prepared given the series’ generous pre-production schedule. “Right out of the gate the first huge task was to train everybody as best we could prior to going in front of the camera,...
- 4/29/2024
- by Jim Hemphill
- Indiewire
James Clavell‘s 1975 historical novel of the same name is the basis for Rachel Kondo and Justin Marks‘ “Shōgun,” and it makes for exquisite television. Set at the end of the 16th century in Japan, the FX limited series follows several factions in the five Regents all vying for control and power. Intricate world-building and political machinations combine to make “Shōgun” the next “Game of Thrones.” What the two shows also have in common is a collection of superb performances from their extensive casts. Hiroyuki Sanada, Anna Sawai, and Cosmo Jarvis lead the way in the show’s leading performances but several supporting players could also be up for an Emmy nomination, including Takehiro Hira.
Hira plays Ishido Kazunari, a former peasant who has now become a powerful bushō (a warlord). Kazunari takes charge of one of the five Regents and is the main rival of Sanada’s Lord Yoshii Toranaga.
Hira plays Ishido Kazunari, a former peasant who has now become a powerful bushō (a warlord). Kazunari takes charge of one of the five Regents and is the main rival of Sanada’s Lord Yoshii Toranaga.
- 4/29/2024
- by Jacob Sarkisian
- Gold Derby
[Editor’s note: The following article contains some spoilers for “Shōgun”]
There’s a scene in Episode 5 of FX’s hit show “Shōgun”, smack dab in the middle of the TV series, that acts as a microcosm for the larger narrative. The horrified English Protestant sailor, Blackthorne, wishes to give up on his mission and leave Japan and the show’s central figure of whom he’s asking permission, Toranaga, actually considers it. Then an earthquake happens. Toranaga is buried by a landslide and it’s Blackthorne who finds and pulls him out. It’s in this moment Toranaga — staring at Blackthorne who’s ripped him from death’s clutch — realizes the way towards peace despite the forces against him.
“If people know the history, they already know what Toranaga creates,” “Shōgun” star and producer Hiroyuki Sanada said in a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter. “That was the most important thing for me about this story: Toranaga ended [the Warring States period] and...
There’s a scene in Episode 5 of FX’s hit show “Shōgun”, smack dab in the middle of the TV series, that acts as a microcosm for the larger narrative. The horrified English Protestant sailor, Blackthorne, wishes to give up on his mission and leave Japan and the show’s central figure of whom he’s asking permission, Toranaga, actually considers it. Then an earthquake happens. Toranaga is buried by a landslide and it’s Blackthorne who finds and pulls him out. It’s in this moment Toranaga — staring at Blackthorne who’s ripped him from death’s clutch — realizes the way towards peace despite the forces against him.
“If people know the history, they already know what Toranaga creates,” “Shōgun” star and producer Hiroyuki Sanada said in a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter. “That was the most important thing for me about this story: Toranaga ended [the Warring States period] and...
- 4/28/2024
- by Harrison Richlin
- Indiewire
Some of Hollywood’s biggest stars descended on Washington, DC to attend the 2024 White House Correspondents’ Dinner on Saturday night (April 27) at The Washington Hilton.
Hosted by Colin Jost, the event featured a celebrity guestlist including the likes of Chris Pine, Rachel Brosnahan, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Coco Rocha, Billy Porter and Fran Drescher.
In all, there were more than 30 stars who posed on the red carpet. Since the guestlist was so full, we pulled together all of the photos you need to see with the fashion credits.
Head inside to see photos of everyone who attended the event…
Keep scrolling to see photos of all of the stars who attended the 2024 White House Correspondents’ Dinner…
Chris Pine
Molly Ringwald
Fyi: Molly is wearing custom Cong Tri.
John Quinones
Hiroyuki Sanada
Lauren Ash
Jason Lee
Sunny Hostin
Coco Rocha
Fyi: Coco is wearing Christian Siriano SS24 Rtw.
Deborah Roberts/strong>
Lynda Carter...
Hosted by Colin Jost, the event featured a celebrity guestlist including the likes of Chris Pine, Rachel Brosnahan, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Coco Rocha, Billy Porter and Fran Drescher.
In all, there were more than 30 stars who posed on the red carpet. Since the guestlist was so full, we pulled together all of the photos you need to see with the fashion credits.
Head inside to see photos of everyone who attended the event…
Keep scrolling to see photos of all of the stars who attended the 2024 White House Correspondents’ Dinner…
Chris Pine
Molly Ringwald
Fyi: Molly is wearing custom Cong Tri.
John Quinones
Hiroyuki Sanada
Lauren Ash
Jason Lee
Sunny Hostin
Coco Rocha
Fyi: Coco is wearing Christian Siriano SS24 Rtw.
Deborah Roberts/strong>
Lynda Carter...
- 4/28/2024
- by Just Jared
- Just Jared
Hiroyuki Sanada has been an unsung hero in Hollywood since the early 2000s where he has starred in many supporting roles in major blockbusters. From his dedicated performance in Tom Cruise’s The Last Samurai to starring in the biggest film of all time Avengers: Endgame, the actor has made a name for himself in Hollywood and is highly respected in the industry.
Keanu Reeves as John Wick in 2023’s John Wick: Chapter 4
Sanada made a big impact in the fourth John Wick film playing Koji, one of John Wick’s friends from the past. While his action sequences and martial arts skills were expectedly brilliant, the scene that leads up to where he strikes up a conversation with John is narratively interesting. Sanada stated that he loved that intimate character-driven scene rather than his big action sequences.
Hiroyuki Sanada Loved His Character’s Heart-to-Heart Moment in John Wick:...
Keanu Reeves as John Wick in 2023’s John Wick: Chapter 4
Sanada made a big impact in the fourth John Wick film playing Koji, one of John Wick’s friends from the past. While his action sequences and martial arts skills were expectedly brilliant, the scene that leads up to where he strikes up a conversation with John is narratively interesting. Sanada stated that he loved that intimate character-driven scene rather than his big action sequences.
Hiroyuki Sanada Loved His Character’s Heart-to-Heart Moment in John Wick:...
- 4/27/2024
- by Rahul Thokchom
- FandomWire
There was a time not so long ago when limited series were just that: limited. In a post-“Big Little Lies” existence, however, series are limited only until a network executive decides they’re not. For now, FX’s critically acclaimed “Shōgun,” a striking 10-episode historical epic about warring factions in Japan, remains a limited series, having this week reached the end of its source material, James Clavell’s 1975 novel of the same name. The series finale, “A Dream of a Dream,” is now streaming on Hulu, and after picking up in the aftermath of Mariko’s (Anna Sawai) death, manages to complete its narrative arc in emotionally satisfying fashion.
Since its debut in late February, the endlessly compelling (and surprisingly funny) series has captivated viewers, reminding us of the thrills of event TV. Each episode was bigger than the one that came before it, right up until the end.
Since its debut in late February, the endlessly compelling (and surprisingly funny) series has captivated viewers, reminding us of the thrills of event TV. Each episode was bigger than the one that came before it, right up until the end.
- 4/27/2024
- by Kaitlin Thomas
- Gold Derby
Fumi Nikaido could be one of several “Shōgun” stars who go on to earn Emmy nominations for their career-best work in the FX series.
Adapted from James Clavell‘s 1975 historical book of the same name, Rachel Kondo and Justin Marks’ limited series follows multiple factions all vying for control over the five Regents in Japan at the end of the 16th century. Meanwhile, a British sailor (Cosmo Jarvis) begins a brand new life after becoming shipwrecked in Japan and entering the service of Hiroyuki Sanada‘s Lord Yoshii Toranaga.
Jarvis and Sanada are both competing for lead actor nominations and so, too, is Anna Sawai. Nikaido, meanwhile, is one of several supporting players who are looking for an Emmy citation for their work on the show. Nikaido plays Ochiba no Kata, a consort of the Japanese leader Taikō (Taikō’s death is the incident that triggers the five Regents power...
Adapted from James Clavell‘s 1975 historical book of the same name, Rachel Kondo and Justin Marks’ limited series follows multiple factions all vying for control over the five Regents in Japan at the end of the 16th century. Meanwhile, a British sailor (Cosmo Jarvis) begins a brand new life after becoming shipwrecked in Japan and entering the service of Hiroyuki Sanada‘s Lord Yoshii Toranaga.
Jarvis and Sanada are both competing for lead actor nominations and so, too, is Anna Sawai. Nikaido, meanwhile, is one of several supporting players who are looking for an Emmy citation for their work on the show. Nikaido plays Ochiba no Kata, a consort of the Japanese leader Taikō (Taikō’s death is the incident that triggers the five Regents power...
- 4/26/2024
- by Jacob Sarkisian
- Gold Derby
The cinematic journey of Hiroyuki Sanada and his contribution to the fusion of Western and Eastern storytelling have been nothing short of remarkable. Fresh off the heels of his presence in John Wick: Chapter 4, Sanada’s Shōgun success has been a cultural touchstone. But does this success guarantee his quick return to the producer’s chair?
Sanada is involved as a producer and cast member of the acclaimed FX limited series. With a career as dynamic as the Japanese actor’s, his keen sense of storytelling speaks volumes. Indeed, his dedication to cultural integrity and his case-by-case approach to production roles serve as a deliberate blueprint for his future endeavors in the film industry, as he enjoys shaping narratives.
Hiroyuki Sanada as Lord Yoshii Toranaga in Shōgun
But, despite his success with Shōgun, Sanada’s desire to create from scratch as a producer may not be realized in the near future.
Sanada is involved as a producer and cast member of the acclaimed FX limited series. With a career as dynamic as the Japanese actor’s, his keen sense of storytelling speaks volumes. Indeed, his dedication to cultural integrity and his case-by-case approach to production roles serve as a deliberate blueprint for his future endeavors in the film industry, as he enjoys shaping narratives.
Hiroyuki Sanada as Lord Yoshii Toranaga in Shōgun
But, despite his success with Shōgun, Sanada’s desire to create from scratch as a producer may not be realized in the near future.
- 4/26/2024
- by Siddhika Prajapati
- FandomWire
[This story contains major spoilers from the season finale of FX’s Shōgun.]
It’s easy to picture Japanese actor Hiroyuki Sanada gazing toward the horizon with a beatific sense of satisfaction over everything he has achieved with FX’s smash-hit miniseries Shōgun. His character, Lord Yoshii Toranaga, enjoys several such moments in the show’s 10th and last episode, A Dream of a Dream, as his patient, masterful strategizing finally yields precisely the outcome he desires: absolute power for himself and peace for all of Japan.
Sanada’s moment of career triumph is not dissimilar in its decade-spanning tirelessness (at least, in entertainment industry terms). He began performing nearly 60 years ago as a child in Japan, apprenticing under the legendary actor Sonny Chiba on the way to becoming a major local star, before breaking into Hollywood with roles in projects like The Last Samurai, Lost, The Wolverine, Avengers: Endgame, Bullet Train, John Wick: Chapter 4 and many others.
But now,...
It’s easy to picture Japanese actor Hiroyuki Sanada gazing toward the horizon with a beatific sense of satisfaction over everything he has achieved with FX’s smash-hit miniseries Shōgun. His character, Lord Yoshii Toranaga, enjoys several such moments in the show’s 10th and last episode, A Dream of a Dream, as his patient, masterful strategizing finally yields precisely the outcome he desires: absolute power for himself and peace for all of Japan.
Sanada’s moment of career triumph is not dissimilar in its decade-spanning tirelessness (at least, in entertainment industry terms). He began performing nearly 60 years ago as a child in Japan, apprenticing under the legendary actor Sonny Chiba on the way to becoming a major local star, before breaking into Hollywood with roles in projects like The Last Samurai, Lost, The Wolverine, Avengers: Endgame, Bullet Train, John Wick: Chapter 4 and many others.
But now,...
- 4/26/2024
- by Patrick Brzeski
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Even though the warlord Toranaga’s (Hiroyuki Sanada) master plan to rule Japan is revealed by the end of “Shogun,” audiences who want to see more of how he shapes what will become the Edo Period aren’t alone. Co-creators Justin Marks and Rachel Kondo’s approach to the structure of the miniseries opened up a lot of doors that could be extremely tempting to walk through.
That’s because the “Shogun” writing team thought of each episode not as a set of steps towards a single climax punctuated by arbitrary cliffhangers. It was important to the “Shogun” team that every episode of the series stood on its own as a story that pushes its characters in some important way — not unlike a short story.
“I’m so drawn to the short story. There’s something about the art of the short story that feels difficult and worthy of the difficulty,...
That’s because the “Shogun” writing team thought of each episode not as a set of steps towards a single climax punctuated by arbitrary cliffhangers. It was important to the “Shogun” team that every episode of the series stood on its own as a story that pushes its characters in some important way — not unlike a short story.
“I’m so drawn to the short story. There’s something about the art of the short story that feels difficult and worthy of the difficulty,...
- 4/25/2024
- by Sarah Shachat
- Indiewire
Cosmo Jarvis is a British actor who’s recently gained fame starring alongside Hiroyuki Sanada as the foreigner Anjin-San, aka John Blackthorne, in FX’s Shogun. It might be the first time some fans experience Jarvis’ talent, but he has been in the entertainment industry for most of his adult life. He started out singing before switching to acting and creating films. While his job may be very public as an actor, Jarvis prefers to keep a low profile regarding his private life. Due to his personal preference, he doesn’t have a public social media profile and talks very little about his romantic relationships. Some blogs
The post 5 Things You Didn’t Know About Shogun’s Cosmo Jarvis first appeared on TVovermind.
The post 5 Things You Didn’t Know About Shogun’s Cosmo Jarvis first appeared on TVovermind.
- 4/25/2024
- by Isabel k
- TVovermind.com
Based on the 1975 novel by James Clavell, “Shogun” is the epic historical drama that got the fans talking for its intense directing, stunning visuals, rich performances, and brilliant story. It delves into the life of a 1600s European sailor, John Blackthorne, who is shipwrecked in Japan.
A still from Shogun
Thrust into a complex world of warring clans and feudal politics, Blackthorne navigates a new life under the rule of a powerful lord. Despite the huge critical acclaim of the series, some fans, it seems, believe a second season might be unnecessary.
The Creators of Shogun Do Not Have Any Roadmap For a Second Season
A still from Shogun
The critical acclaim for Shogun hasn’t translated into an automatic green light for a second season. The show’s creators, it seems, haven’t charted a course for further adventures, as they revealed speaking to The Hollywood Reporter.
“I don’t know.
A still from Shogun
Thrust into a complex world of warring clans and feudal politics, Blackthorne navigates a new life under the rule of a powerful lord. Despite the huge critical acclaim of the series, some fans, it seems, believe a second season might be unnecessary.
The Creators of Shogun Do Not Have Any Roadmap For a Second Season
A still from Shogun
The critical acclaim for Shogun hasn’t translated into an automatic green light for a second season. The show’s creators, it seems, haven’t charted a course for further adventures, as they revealed speaking to The Hollywood Reporter.
“I don’t know.
- 4/24/2024
- by Piyush Yadav
- FandomWire
[Warning: The following contains Major spoilers for Shōgun Episode 10, “A Dream of a Dream.”] Everyone who watched FX‘s fantastic Shōgun agrees: we’re sad to see this show go. The limited series debuted its Episode 10 finale on Tuesday, April 23 on FX and Hulu, revealing what Lord Toranaga planned all along. Every death, every sacrifice was worth it, as it ushered in a new era of peace in Japan. Will we ever see a second season depicting that peaceful period? Hiroyuki Sanada, Toranaga himself, tells TV Insider about the chances of a Shōgun Season 2. Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem likely that there will be a second season. “I have no idea,” Sanada says with a kind laugh. “But the novel is done.” Indeed, Shōgun Season 1 covers the plot of James Clavell’s novel of the same name in full. There are some pieces of the narrative that didn’t make it into the series, as with ...
- 4/24/2024
- TV Insider
Shogun is the latest trending topic when discussing series with people. Being an iconic series with Hiroyuki Sanada in the lead role, the series, titled Shōgun has received some astounding high ratings.
With Shōgun being a drama miniseries, fans want more of it (of course). Well, there seems to be one bad news with another season. Writer Justin Marks thinks that a season 2 is definitely possible but there’s only one condition!
Hiroyuki Sanada as Lord Yoshii Toranaga in Shōgun Shōgun Directors Have Only One Condition For Season 2
Based on the 1975 novel by James Clavell, Shōgun narrates the tale of Japan in the year 1600 when Lord Yoshii Toranaga (Hiroyuki Sanada) is surrounded by enemies while a European ship gets marooned off the island.
A still from Shōgun
Being a drama miniseries, fans obviously want more of Shōgun with some even claiming that the series is better than Game of Thrones!
With Shōgun being a drama miniseries, fans want more of it (of course). Well, there seems to be one bad news with another season. Writer Justin Marks thinks that a season 2 is definitely possible but there’s only one condition!
Hiroyuki Sanada as Lord Yoshii Toranaga in Shōgun Shōgun Directors Have Only One Condition For Season 2
Based on the 1975 novel by James Clavell, Shōgun narrates the tale of Japan in the year 1600 when Lord Yoshii Toranaga (Hiroyuki Sanada) is surrounded by enemies while a European ship gets marooned off the island.
A still from Shōgun
Being a drama miniseries, fans obviously want more of Shōgun with some even claiming that the series is better than Game of Thrones!
- 4/24/2024
- by Visarg Acharya
- FandomWire
Shogun is one of the most acclaimed new shows of the season, but it has been billed as a limited series and not an ongoing one.
FX’s Shōgun, an original adaptation of James Clavell’s bestselling novel, is set in Japan in the year 1600 at the dawn of a century-defining civil war.
With the success of the FX on Hulu series, there has been speculation that a second season could be in the works. Now that the season has finished airing, series creators Rachel Kondo and Justin Marks are speaking out.
Keep reading to find out more…
“I keep saying it’s like we want to let everyone be on the same page when it comes to the book,” Marks told THR. And hopefully now the TV audience and the book audience are on the same page with what the story is and where it resolves. I think if we had a story,...
FX’s Shōgun, an original adaptation of James Clavell’s bestselling novel, is set in Japan in the year 1600 at the dawn of a century-defining civil war.
With the success of the FX on Hulu series, there has been speculation that a second season could be in the works. Now that the season has finished airing, series creators Rachel Kondo and Justin Marks are speaking out.
Keep reading to find out more…
“I keep saying it’s like we want to let everyone be on the same page when it comes to the book,” Marks told THR. And hopefully now the TV audience and the book audience are on the same page with what the story is and where it resolves. I think if we had a story,...
- 4/24/2024
- by Just Jared
- Just Jared
[Warning: The following contains Major spoilers for Shōgun Episode 10, “A Dream of a Dream.”] FX‘s Shōgun reached its thrilling conclusion in Episode 10, “A Dream of a Dream.” In it, Lord Yoshii Toranaga’s (the fantastic Hiroyuki Sanada) dream of a nation at peace came true, albeit at a steep cost. As he told Lord Kashigi Yabushige (Tadanobu Asano) in their final scene, “Crimson Sky” was already finished. He “sent a woman to do what an army couldn’t,” and through Mariko’s (the great Anna Sawai) sacrifice, the final pieces of his plan fell into place. Because of Mariko, he wouldn’t have to draw his sword in battle at all. Sawai previously teased a moment of “revelation” in Shōgun‘s final scenes to TV Insider, and viewers now know what she meant. All this time that Toranaga spent denying that he wanted to be Shōgun (the military leader and de facto ruler of Japan), ...
- 4/24/2024
- TV Insider
‘Shōgun’ Creators Are Open To Season 2, But Caution “It’s A Tough One” Even If The Audience Wants It
One of the most talked about series of 2024 is FX’s feudal Japan series, “Shōgun,” which just ended its ten-episode run on Hulu. The acclaimed series centers on the collision of two ambitious men, an English sailor (Cosmo Jarvis), who is shipwrecked in Japan, and Lord Toranaga (Hiroyuki Sanada), a shrewd, powerful Japanese feudal lord, at odds with his own dangerous, political rivals. Together, they form a tentative alliance that mutually benefits their aims of staying alive in a foreign land and staying in power amid much dissension.
Continue reading ‘Shōgun’ Creators Are Open To Season 2, But Caution “It’s A Tough One” Even If The Audience Wants It at The Playlist.
Continue reading ‘Shōgun’ Creators Are Open To Season 2, But Caution “It’s A Tough One” Even If The Audience Wants It at The Playlist.
- 4/24/2024
- by Edward Davis
- The Playlist
This article contains spoilers for Shogun episode 10.
The characters of FX’s Shōgun know all about endings. After John Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis) experiences the first of many Japanese earthquakes in the miniseries’ fourth episode, his translator/lover Mariko (Anna Sawai) explains how her people have come to adapt to the environmental instability.
“It is why our houses are built to go up as quickly as they come down,” she says. “Because death is in our air. And sea and earth. It can come for us at any moment. Before you meddle with our politics, just remember … we live and we die. We control nothing beyond that.”
While Mariko-sama is right that a person can control nothing beyond living and dying, it turns out that one individual living or dying is enough to change everything. Mariko helped establish the future with her sacrifice in Shōgun‘s penultimate episode. Now it’s...
The characters of FX’s Shōgun know all about endings. After John Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis) experiences the first of many Japanese earthquakes in the miniseries’ fourth episode, his translator/lover Mariko (Anna Sawai) explains how her people have come to adapt to the environmental instability.
“It is why our houses are built to go up as quickly as they come down,” she says. “Because death is in our air. And sea and earth. It can come for us at any moment. Before you meddle with our politics, just remember … we live and we die. We control nothing beyond that.”
While Mariko-sama is right that a person can control nothing beyond living and dying, it turns out that one individual living or dying is enough to change everything. Mariko helped establish the future with her sacrifice in Shōgun‘s penultimate episode. Now it’s...
- 4/24/2024
- by Alec Bojalad
- Den of Geek
[This story contains major spoilers from the season finale of FX’s Shogun.]
Shōgun masterminds Justin Marks and Rachel Kondo read James Clavell’s novel cover to cover. Their social media intake around the series, however, has not been quite as comprehensive.
“We live in Hawaii on the island of Maui with 70 chickens and roosters,” Marks tells The Hollywood Reporter. “And none of the chickens on our property have seen Shōgun, to our knowledge. So it’s been pretty quiet.”
“It’s not that quiet,” Kondo corrects, “but they’re not talking about Shōgun.”
Marks and Kondo’s chickens are just about the only ones not talking about Shōgun. The FX series has drawn to a close, and all season long, it’s been an internet darling, with incredible memes born out of the incredible show.
For instance, there’s an image floating around at the moment featuring Cosmo Jarvis and Anna Sawai as John Blackthorne and Lady Mariko, two...
Shōgun masterminds Justin Marks and Rachel Kondo read James Clavell’s novel cover to cover. Their social media intake around the series, however, has not been quite as comprehensive.
“We live in Hawaii on the island of Maui with 70 chickens and roosters,” Marks tells The Hollywood Reporter. “And none of the chickens on our property have seen Shōgun, to our knowledge. So it’s been pretty quiet.”
“It’s not that quiet,” Kondo corrects, “but they’re not talking about Shōgun.”
Marks and Kondo’s chickens are just about the only ones not talking about Shōgun. The FX series has drawn to a close, and all season long, it’s been an internet darling, with incredible memes born out of the incredible show.
For instance, there’s an image floating around at the moment featuring Cosmo Jarvis and Anna Sawai as John Blackthorne and Lady Mariko, two...
- 4/24/2024
- by Josh Wigler
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Plans feel inevitable when they come together as neatly as Toranaga’s (Hiroyuki Sanada) play for power over the throne of Japan. But the team behind Toranaga — and the rest of the characters on FX’s now complete miniseries “Shogun” — had to work just as hard as the warlord to finesse an ending that feels as right as this one does.
Episode 10, “A Dream of a Dream,” was a huge combined effort for editors Aika Miyake and Maria Gonzales, who each worked on three other episodes in addition to their shared credit on the finale. There were the normal challenges of assembling an edit, from placing incomplete VFX shots meant to convey the scale of Osaka to temp sound and score that will hopefully convey the loneliness of Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis) missing Mariko’s (Anna Sawai) funeral. That’s a lot for any editor to hold in their mind — in...
Episode 10, “A Dream of a Dream,” was a huge combined effort for editors Aika Miyake and Maria Gonzales, who each worked on three other episodes in addition to their shared credit on the finale. There were the normal challenges of assembling an edit, from placing incomplete VFX shots meant to convey the scale of Osaka to temp sound and score that will hopefully convey the loneliness of Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis) missing Mariko’s (Anna Sawai) funeral. That’s a lot for any editor to hold in their mind — in...
- 4/23/2024
- by Sarah Shachat
- Indiewire
“Why is it that only those who have never fought in a battle are so eager to be in one?” Yoshii Toranaga (Hiroyuki Sanada) asks at one point in FX’s Shōgun. It’s a question that resonates not only with the show’s characters but may strike at the heart of our long-standing fascination with samurai.
Its resonance is all the more profound because Shōgun is loosely — very loosely — based on real events from the end of Japan’s Warring States period that pushed the nation into a new era. Taking historical events and crafting drama from them is something the show has in common with many Chanbara or samurai films. The riveting and often bloody history has provided fodder for countless films, including Hiroshi Inagaki’s Samurai trilogy, Sekigahara, Samurai Assassin, and The 47 Ronin.
However, these narrative films can obscure the complex history behind the events. Fortunately,...
Its resonance is all the more profound because Shōgun is loosely — very loosely — based on real events from the end of Japan’s Warring States period that pushed the nation into a new era. Taking historical events and crafting drama from them is something the show has in common with many Chanbara or samurai films. The riveting and often bloody history has provided fodder for countless films, including Hiroshi Inagaki’s Samurai trilogy, Sekigahara, Samurai Assassin, and The 47 Ronin.
However, these narrative films can obscure the complex history behind the events. Fortunately,...
- 4/23/2024
- by Alec Bojalad
- Den of Geek
At the start of the current Emmys season, our in-house editors and cadre of awards experts generally agreed that the next Best Drama Actress winner would be Jennifer Aniston (“The Morning Show”). That wasn’t the case for long, however, as the expert odds have now consistently favored Imelda Staunton (“The Crown”) for over two months. Although the editors’ opinion is shared by a majority of our 2,000+ Emmy predictors, the experts could be onto something given the wide open nature of this and many more 2024 Emmy races.
Staunton’s claim to victory is strengthened by the fact that her show is the only past Best Drama Series nominee currently vying for that prize (which it won three years ago). It also helps that her supporting cast mate, Elizabeth Debicki, is her category’s obvious frontrunner due to her status as the sole 2023 drama acting contender eligible for an immediate return.
Staunton’s claim to victory is strengthened by the fact that her show is the only past Best Drama Series nominee currently vying for that prize (which it won three years ago). It also helps that her supporting cast mate, Elizabeth Debicki, is her category’s obvious frontrunner due to her status as the sole 2023 drama acting contender eligible for an immediate return.
- 4/23/2024
- by Matthew Stewart
- Gold Derby
There’s a saying in Osaka that every man has three hearts. One in his mouth for the world to know, another in his chest just for his friends, and a secret heart buried deep where no one can find it.
Well, regardless of how many hearts we have, each and every one of them loves FX’s epic miniseries Shōgun. The 10-episode historical series on Hulu and Disney+ is undoubtedly one of the best TV experiences of the year. Based on James Clavell’s classic 1975 novel of the same name, Shōgun follows wayward Englishman John Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis) as he washes ashore in Japan and becomes embroiled with a game of thrones waged among the fearsome Lord Toranaga (Hiroyuki Sanada) and the villainous council of regents.
If you’re like us then you’ve not only been watching Shōgun but you’ve been watching it closely. But how closely exactly?...
Well, regardless of how many hearts we have, each and every one of them loves FX’s epic miniseries Shōgun. The 10-episode historical series on Hulu and Disney+ is undoubtedly one of the best TV experiences of the year. Based on James Clavell’s classic 1975 novel of the same name, Shōgun follows wayward Englishman John Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis) as he washes ashore in Japan and becomes embroiled with a game of thrones waged among the fearsome Lord Toranaga (Hiroyuki Sanada) and the villainous council of regents.
If you’re like us then you’ve not only been watching Shōgun but you’ve been watching it closely. But how closely exactly?...
- 4/23/2024
- by Louisa Mellor
- Den of Geek
This article contains mild spoilers for Shōgun and major ones for The Last Samurai.
A lonely Westerner who seems lost before he even steps off his ship; a strange land filled with ritualized grace and deadly niceties; and a culture shock that is both intoxicating and intimidating—even before our stranger sees the samurai masks and katana blades come out. This could very well be a description of the odyssey which English seaman John Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis) finds himself on in FX’s astonishing new limited series, Shōgun. Yet I’m actually describing a popular Tom Cruise vehicle loosely set in the same aesthetic: The Last Samurai.
Released in December 2003 to positive reviews and impressive box office (back when adult-skewing dramas could regularly net $454 million at the world box office), director Edward Zwick’s The Last Samurai was applauded in its time for its pensive soulfulness and kinetic action sequences.
A lonely Westerner who seems lost before he even steps off his ship; a strange land filled with ritualized grace and deadly niceties; and a culture shock that is both intoxicating and intimidating—even before our stranger sees the samurai masks and katana blades come out. This could very well be a description of the odyssey which English seaman John Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis) finds himself on in FX’s astonishing new limited series, Shōgun. Yet I’m actually describing a popular Tom Cruise vehicle loosely set in the same aesthetic: The Last Samurai.
Released in December 2003 to positive reviews and impressive box office (back when adult-skewing dramas could regularly net $454 million at the world box office), director Edward Zwick’s The Last Samurai was applauded in its time for its pensive soulfulness and kinetic action sequences.
- 4/23/2024
- by David Crow
- Den of Geek
Official companion podcasts for popular TV series are not a recent phenomenon. Ever since networks realized that they couldn’t leave all the analytical fun to fans, big time TV shows have been accompanied by network-sponsored audio complements.
HBO has been a frequent producer with podcasts for its dramas like Watchmen, House of the Dragon, Succession, and more. Other networks have since gotten in on the action like Paramount Network with Yellowstone, Showtime with Dexter: New Blood, and Apple TV+ with For All Mankind.
The acclaimed American TV brand FX, however, never seemed too keen on official tie-in podcasting despite presenting many intriguing prospects over the years like The Bear and Fargo. That all changed this year when the Disney-owned company launched FX’s Shōgun: The Official Podcast to accompany the weekly release of its epic miniseries Shōgun.
The Shōgun podcast is notable in that it brings FX into the...
HBO has been a frequent producer with podcasts for its dramas like Watchmen, House of the Dragon, Succession, and more. Other networks have since gotten in on the action like Paramount Network with Yellowstone, Showtime with Dexter: New Blood, and Apple TV+ with For All Mankind.
The acclaimed American TV brand FX, however, never seemed too keen on official tie-in podcasting despite presenting many intriguing prospects over the years like The Bear and Fargo. That all changed this year when the Disney-owned company launched FX’s Shōgun: The Official Podcast to accompany the weekly release of its epic miniseries Shōgun.
The Shōgun podcast is notable in that it brings FX into the...
- 4/23/2024
- by Alec Bojalad
- Den of Geek
[Warning: The following contains Major spoilers for Shōgun Season 1 Episode 9, “Crimson Sky.”] Lady Mariko singlehandedly turned the tide of Lord Toranaga’s (Hiroyuki Sanada) battle of wills with Lord Ishido (Takehiro Hira) in Shōgun‘s pivotal Episode 9. “Crimson Sky” saw Anna Sawai‘s character in Osaka, sent to make it known to all that Ishido was, in fact, keeping noble families hostage in the castle. She was to complete this mission by any means necessary, and she succeeded. But it came at a tragic cost. In the TV Insider video interview above, Sawai breaks down Mariko’s story in Shōgun Episode 9, from her thwarted seppuku (suicide) and her romance with John Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis), to the deeply satisfying but emotional process that came with filming the episode. She reveals to us a deleted scene from “Crimson Sky” that gave both Mariko and her a moment of catharsis. There were no truly pivotal moments cut from the episode,...
- 4/21/2024
- TV Insider
Comparison always sours the joy, as it often diverts our attention from the personal satisfaction one has achieved. However, in this case, it is justified because Shōgun, the new historical epic, has become the flagbearer of everything that a modern TV drama should be. More importantly, everything that HBO’s Game of Thrones should have been.
Hiroyuki Sanada as Lord Yoshii Toranaga
With a number of positive reviews from the critics of the show and glowing feedback from its viewers, it seems that the show set new standards the moment the first trailer of the show was released. In the process, setting off a comparison with the 2011 fantasy drama. But Got fans are quite offended by the comparison, as they have pointed out several reasons that make both shows different yet getting compared on social media.
Shōgun Gets Compared To HBO’s Game of Thrones For All The Just Reasons!
Hiroyuki Sanada as Lord Yoshii Toranaga
With a number of positive reviews from the critics of the show and glowing feedback from its viewers, it seems that the show set new standards the moment the first trailer of the show was released. In the process, setting off a comparison with the 2011 fantasy drama. But Got fans are quite offended by the comparison, as they have pointed out several reasons that make both shows different yet getting compared on social media.
Shōgun Gets Compared To HBO’s Game of Thrones For All The Just Reasons!
- 4/21/2024
- by Tushar Auddy
- FandomWire
Based on the 1975 novel by James Clavell, Shōgun has been delighting fans and critics as no other historical TV series has. From unexpected action to some of the most complex yet intriguing characters, the miniseries is one hell of a ride that leaves fans wanting more.
A still from Hiroyuki Sanada’s Shōgun
A series that is definitely emotionally challenging, exhilarating, and tiring, Shōgun is the work of Rachel Kondo and Justin Marks with the lead star Hiroyuki Sanada also serving as the producer. Debuting with excellent reviews, the series’ latest episode 9 has achieved the highest episode-wise rating from critics and fans can hardly disagree.
Shōgun Episode 9 Receives Brilliant Rating From Critics
Anna Sawai as Mariko in Shōgun
In a world where cross-media adaptations are normal, Shōgun redefines the whole culture and process of the art. A historical drama based in 17th-century Japan, the series is a brilliant example of...
A still from Hiroyuki Sanada’s Shōgun
A series that is definitely emotionally challenging, exhilarating, and tiring, Shōgun is the work of Rachel Kondo and Justin Marks with the lead star Hiroyuki Sanada also serving as the producer. Debuting with excellent reviews, the series’ latest episode 9 has achieved the highest episode-wise rating from critics and fans can hardly disagree.
Shōgun Episode 9 Receives Brilliant Rating From Critics
Anna Sawai as Mariko in Shōgun
In a world where cross-media adaptations are normal, Shōgun redefines the whole culture and process of the art. A historical drama based in 17th-century Japan, the series is a brilliant example of...
- 4/20/2024
- by Maria Sultan
- FandomWire
[Warning: The following contains Major spoilers for Shōgun Season 1 Episode 9, “Crimson Sky.”] Romance was never top of mind for Anna Sawai‘s Lady Mariko in Shōgun, but there came a moment in the FX limited series where she could no longer leave the simmering feelings between her and Cosmo Jarvis‘ John Blackthorne on the back burner. Mariko and Blackthorne slept together after she believed her husband, Buntaro (Shinnosuke Abe), died in battle. They never spoke of their “pillowing” after Buntaro returned, despite Blackthorne’s efforts. Duty to Lord Toranaga (Hiroyuki Sanada) and her murdered family surpassed all personal desires, but when Blackthorne stepped up to be her second as she was about to commit seppuku (suicide) in Shōgun‘s pivotal Episode 9, that was the “moment she realizes that what they share is much deeper than what she had anticipated,” Sawai tells TV Insider. “That’s the gesture that changes everything.” Seconding her seppuku means striking the fatal...
- 4/19/2024
- TV Insider
“Shōgun” is looking to become the next “Game of Thrones” Emmy sensation thanks to its similar awe-inspiring world-building combined with political machinations and stunning performances. The FX series adapts James Clavell‘s 1975 historical novel of the same name. The story follows an English sailor (Cosmo Jarvis) who ends up shipwrecked in Japan while Lord Yoshii Toranaga (Hiroyuki Sanada) uncovers secrets that could benefit him in the political wars to come as he tries to rule one of the five Regents in Japan.
Husband and wife duo Rachel Kondo and “Top Gun: Maverick” story writer Justin Marks oversee this spectacular mini-series, which is a comprehensive, historical study that transcends world-building to present compelling characters. The expansive cast all deliver career-best work while Kondo and Marks handle each plot thread smartly and expertly.
Here’s just a sampling of the rave reviews.
Kelly Lawler (USA Today) exclaimed: “Beautiful, rich and deeply compelling,...
Husband and wife duo Rachel Kondo and “Top Gun: Maverick” story writer Justin Marks oversee this spectacular mini-series, which is a comprehensive, historical study that transcends world-building to present compelling characters. The expansive cast all deliver career-best work while Kondo and Marks handle each plot thread smartly and expertly.
Here’s just a sampling of the rave reviews.
Kelly Lawler (USA Today) exclaimed: “Beautiful, rich and deeply compelling,...
- 4/19/2024
- by Jacob Sarkisian
- Gold Derby
Welcome to Emmy Experts Typing, a weekly column in which Gold Derby editors and Experts Joyce Eng and Christopher Rosen discuss the Emmy race — via Slack, of course. This week, we revisit the packed limited series race, which has seen three new contenders premiere in the last three weeks.
Christopher Rosen: Hello, Joyce! We’ve circled back to what is arguably the most competitive Emmys category this year: limited series. It feels like as good a time as any to return to my favorite race – particularly with “Shōgun” and Anna Sawai dominating the discourse, as well as the premiere of our dark horse favorite “Under the Bridge.” We talked about both shows this week with our voices, and I must say, it feels heartening — dare I type, Siri pay “Vindicated” – to have been so right about “Shōgun.” We both loved that show way back in February and the response has been off the charts.
Christopher Rosen: Hello, Joyce! We’ve circled back to what is arguably the most competitive Emmys category this year: limited series. It feels like as good a time as any to return to my favorite race – particularly with “Shōgun” and Anna Sawai dominating the discourse, as well as the premiere of our dark horse favorite “Under the Bridge.” We talked about both shows this week with our voices, and I must say, it feels heartening — dare I type, Siri pay “Vindicated” – to have been so right about “Shōgun.” We both loved that show way back in February and the response has been off the charts.
- 4/19/2024
- by Joyce Eng and Christopher Rosen
- Gold Derby
Zack Snyder made his name with his gruesome, much more action-y remake of George A. Romero’s Dawn of the Dead in 2004. The director then tried to line up an even bigger sequel called Army of the Dead for years, but there were many detours along the way, including his eventual role as the chief architect of the early Dceu. He finally returned to his long-lost zombie sequel in 2021, this time as the launching point of a whole new cinematic universe for Netflix, which also included a crime thriller prequel called Army of Thieves and even an animated series about the initial outbreak in Las Vegas.
There was also talk of a direct sequel to Army of the Dead, which left no shortage of mysteries left to answer in a part two. Were Dave Bautista’s Scott Ward and his team of mercenaries in a time loop all along? What...
There was also talk of a direct sequel to Army of the Dead, which left no shortage of mysteries left to answer in a part two. Were Dave Bautista’s Scott Ward and his team of mercenaries in a time loop all along? What...
- 4/19/2024
- by John Saavedra
- Den of Geek
FX’s Shōgun is having a fantastic run and the series is fast approaching an epic finale. The 10-episode miniseries is based on the 1975 novel of the same name by James Clavell. Ever since the series dropped, some fans have been comparing the series to HBO’s epic fantasy show Game of Thrones. However, fans of George R. R. Martin’s work couldn’t agree with some claims that Shōgun outperformed the eight-season behemoth.
Hiroyuki Sanada in FX’s Shōgun
The series created by Rachel Kondo and Justin Marks currently has a 99% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes. However, fans believe that the single-season historical drama could never match the fantastical world-building of Game of Thrones.
Fans Disagree With The Claim That Shōgun Surpassed Game Of Thrones In Its Content Quality Fans disagree that Shōgun dethroned Game of Thrones as the best prestige TV show
FX’s Shōgun is undoubtedly a great series with universal acclaim.
Hiroyuki Sanada in FX’s Shōgun
The series created by Rachel Kondo and Justin Marks currently has a 99% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes. However, fans believe that the single-season historical drama could never match the fantastical world-building of Game of Thrones.
Fans Disagree With The Claim That Shōgun Surpassed Game Of Thrones In Its Content Quality Fans disagree that Shōgun dethroned Game of Thrones as the best prestige TV show
FX’s Shōgun is undoubtedly a great series with universal acclaim.
- 4/18/2024
- by Hashim Asraff
- FandomWire
Having trouble predicting who will win Best Movie/Limited Actress at the upcoming Emmy Awards? Let’s consult Gold Derby’s 2024 Emmy Experts! These savvy pundits from major media outlets have chimed in with their predictions, and the majority believe the trophy will go to Jodie Foster (“True Detective: Night Country”). The other potential nominees, per our racetrack odds, are Brie Larson (“Lessons in Chemistry”), Kate Winslet (“The Regime”), Anna Sawai (“Shogun”), Juno Temple (“Fargo”) and Sofia Vergara (“Griselda”).
As of this writing, a leading seven out of our 13 Emmy Experts predict a victory for Foster for “True Detective: Night Country”: Clayton Davis (Variety), Eric Deggans (NPR), Joyce Eng (Gold Derby), Kelly Lawler (USA Today), Ray Richmond (Gold Derby), Thelma Adams (Gold Derby) and Wilson Morales (BlackFilmandTV). She plays Chief Liz Danvers on Season 4 of HBO’s anthology crime series. Foster is a two-time Emmy nominee for producing the...
As of this writing, a leading seven out of our 13 Emmy Experts predict a victory for Foster for “True Detective: Night Country”: Clayton Davis (Variety), Eric Deggans (NPR), Joyce Eng (Gold Derby), Kelly Lawler (USA Today), Ray Richmond (Gold Derby), Thelma Adams (Gold Derby) and Wilson Morales (BlackFilmandTV). She plays Chief Liz Danvers on Season 4 of HBO’s anthology crime series. Foster is a two-time Emmy nominee for producing the...
- 4/17/2024
- by Marcus James Dixon
- Gold Derby
[Warning: The following contains Major spoilers for Shōgun Season 1 Episode 9, “Crimson Sky.”] Lady Mariko is an undeniable fan-favorite character from FX‘s wondrous Shōgun. Played with unending power by Anna Sawai, the honorable and loyal Mariko is fiercely committed to Lord Toranaga (Hiroyuki Sanada), a loyalty and respect that produces admiration, as well as confusion, in her English paramour, John Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis). While Mariko has pledged undying fealty to her lord, she’s been trying to commit seppuku (suicide) since her family was put to death in similar fashion — a request that goes denied every year by her abusive husband, Buntaro (Shinnosuke Abe). To help Toranaga’s cause, Mariko was seconds away from committing seppuku in Shōgun‘s Episode 9, the penultimate episode of the limited series. Blackthorne stepped up to be her second after begging her to stay alive for him. It was his ultimate show of respect, a sign that he finally understood what this...
- 4/17/2024
- TV Insider
This article contains spoilers for Shogun episode 9.
In Shōgun episode 2, wayward Englishman John Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis) receives one of many incoming lessons in just how hardcore his new Japanese home is. An assassin breaks into Blackthorne’s quarters at night and instead finds the mighty Lord Toranaga (Hiroyuki Sanada), who is able to kill the killer with the Anjin’s assistance.
Lady Mariko (Anna Sawai) tells Blackthorne that this female assassin was part of a dangerous sect and that she likely trained her whole life in preparation for this one assassination attempt. What Mariko is describing is a “shinobi.” Now, in Shōgun episode 9, we encounter shinobi once again in a far more tragic fashion.
Hired by the villainous regent Ishido (Takehiro Hira), several black-clad shinobi sneak into Toranaga’s supporters’ quarters in the dead of night and attack. They eventually corner Mariko, Blackthorne, and company in a store room and blow up the door,...
In Shōgun episode 2, wayward Englishman John Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis) receives one of many incoming lessons in just how hardcore his new Japanese home is. An assassin breaks into Blackthorne’s quarters at night and instead finds the mighty Lord Toranaga (Hiroyuki Sanada), who is able to kill the killer with the Anjin’s assistance.
Lady Mariko (Anna Sawai) tells Blackthorne that this female assassin was part of a dangerous sect and that she likely trained her whole life in preparation for this one assassination attempt. What Mariko is describing is a “shinobi.” Now, in Shōgun episode 9, we encounter shinobi once again in a far more tragic fashion.
Hired by the villainous regent Ishido (Takehiro Hira), several black-clad shinobi sneak into Toranaga’s supporters’ quarters in the dead of night and attack. They eventually corner Mariko, Blackthorne, and company in a store room and blow up the door,...
- 4/17/2024
- by Alec Bojalad
- Den of Geek
This article contains spoilers for Shogun episode 9.
Lady Toda Mariko (Anna Sawai) has a lot to live up to on Shōgun – or as Forrest Gump once said about Lieutenant Dan – a lot to “die up to.” Her father, Akechi Jinsai, saved the realm by killing the corrupt Kuroda-sama but was forced into committing seppuku for the act of treachery. Jinsai’s wife, children, and vassals were also executed – with only Mariko spared, having been sent off to marry the loathsome Toda Hirokatsu a.k.a. Buntaro (Shinnosuke Abe).
Since then, Mariko has been desperate to find a route to an honorable death so that she can both redeem her family name and join her loved ones in the echoes of eternity. In Shōgun episode 9 “Crimson Sky”, she finally gets that opportunity. Let’s talk about it … but first: a disclaimer.
As you may have noticed by now, suicidal ideation is a recurring theme on Shōgun.
Lady Toda Mariko (Anna Sawai) has a lot to live up to on Shōgun – or as Forrest Gump once said about Lieutenant Dan – a lot to “die up to.” Her father, Akechi Jinsai, saved the realm by killing the corrupt Kuroda-sama but was forced into committing seppuku for the act of treachery. Jinsai’s wife, children, and vassals were also executed – with only Mariko spared, having been sent off to marry the loathsome Toda Hirokatsu a.k.a. Buntaro (Shinnosuke Abe).
Since then, Mariko has been desperate to find a route to an honorable death so that she can both redeem her family name and join her loved ones in the echoes of eternity. In Shōgun episode 9 “Crimson Sky”, she finally gets that opportunity. Let’s talk about it … but first: a disclaimer.
As you may have noticed by now, suicidal ideation is a recurring theme on Shōgun.
- 4/17/2024
- by Alec Bojalad
- Den of Geek
[This story contains major spoilers from Shōgun’s ninth episode, “Crimson Sky.”]
Shōgun star Anna Sawai is bidding adieu to Lady Akechi Mariko.
The Japanese actor, who was born in New Zealand and raised in Japan, considers the acclaimed miniseries’ penultimate episode, “Crimson Sky,” to be her “final farewell” to her fan-favorite character. Written by Rachel Kondo/Caillin Puente and directed by Frederick E.O. Toye, the dramatic roller coaster of an episode concluded with Mariko sacrificing her life for Lord Yoshii Toranaga (Hiroyuki Sanada), all in an effort to signal Ishido Kazunari’s (Takehiro Hira) corruption and hopefully spark a rebellion. But as Sawai will soon find out, when an actor is fortunate enough to catch lightning in a bottle and create a beloved character, the audience and the world at large forever keep that character’s spirit alive — whether it’s through a compliment at a coffee shop, an interaction at a fan expo or even a question at a future press junket.
Shōgun star Anna Sawai is bidding adieu to Lady Akechi Mariko.
The Japanese actor, who was born in New Zealand and raised in Japan, considers the acclaimed miniseries’ penultimate episode, “Crimson Sky,” to be her “final farewell” to her fan-favorite character. Written by Rachel Kondo/Caillin Puente and directed by Frederick E.O. Toye, the dramatic roller coaster of an episode concluded with Mariko sacrificing her life for Lord Yoshii Toranaga (Hiroyuki Sanada), all in an effort to signal Ishido Kazunari’s (Takehiro Hira) corruption and hopefully spark a rebellion. But as Sawai will soon find out, when an actor is fortunate enough to catch lightning in a bottle and create a beloved character, the audience and the world at large forever keep that character’s spirit alive — whether it’s through a compliment at a coffee shop, an interaction at a fan expo or even a question at a future press junket.
- 4/17/2024
- by Brian Davids
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Based on the combined predictions of over 2,000 Gold Derby users, Lily Gladstone (“Under the Bridge”) and Walton Goggins (“Fallout”) are not generally expected to reap 2024 Emmy bids at this time. However, their chances of soon reaching predicted nominee status greatly improved over the past week thanks to their new category placements. The limited series actress’ odds jumped from 100/1 to 66/1 after she migrated from lead to supporting, while the dramatic actor went from 62/1 to 37/1 by making the opposite move.
Gladstone’s “Under the Bridge” cast mate, Riley Keough, joined her in switching from lead to supporting but still retains her original 100/1 odds. The other two performers who rose above their previous 100/1 odds this week are lead actress Julianne Moore (“Mary & George”) and featured actor Mark Ruffalo (“All the Light We Cannot See”), both of whom hail from limited series.
At this point, the non-continuing series races are proving to be the most dynamic ones overall.
Gladstone’s “Under the Bridge” cast mate, Riley Keough, joined her in switching from lead to supporting but still retains her original 100/1 odds. The other two performers who rose above their previous 100/1 odds this week are lead actress Julianne Moore (“Mary & George”) and featured actor Mark Ruffalo (“All the Light We Cannot See”), both of whom hail from limited series.
At this point, the non-continuing series races are proving to be the most dynamic ones overall.
- 4/16/2024
- by Matthew Stewart
- Gold Derby
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