We’ve learned that Gus Van Sant will helm the upcoming drama SEA OF TREES, with Ken Watanabe coming aboard as one of the leads. The story follows an American man and a Japanese man who meet in the “Suicide Forest” in Japan and instead of killing themselves, embark on a journey through the forest together. Watanabe will, of course, play the role of the Japanese man as this isn’t “Cloud Atlas.” How crazy would be if Leo DiCaprio came on as the American man though? The internet would implode with “Inception” theories.
Chris Sparling (“Buried”) wrote the script on spec which Gil Netter and F. Gary Gray will produce through Gil Netter Productions.
Van Sant last directed “Promised Land” with 2008’s “Milk” before that. This news looks like he’s getting back in the director’s seat, after doing more producing than anything else.
Our last stateside dose of Watanabe was way back in 2010’s “Inception” and we’re long overdo for some more. Of course, he’s also in the upcoming “Godzilla” reboot.
Van Sant and Watanabe are repped by WME.
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Congrads to Robert James Russell for giving Sparling his Novel. No worries Robert we know you wrote it first!