‘Godzilla vs. Kong’ Star Oguri Shun, ‘Rurouni Kenshin’ Actor Aoi Yu to Lead Netflix-Toho Series Reboot of Classic Film ‘Human Vapor’

As a seasoned movie enthusiast who has witnessed the evolution of Asian cinema over the past few decades, I am absolutely thrilled about the upcoming Netflix series “Human Vapor.” The reunion of Oguri Shun and Aoi Yu after 23 years is like a cherished relic from my youth, making this collaboration even more exciting.


Actors Oguri Shun, known for “Godzilla vs. Kong”, and Aoi Yu, recognized from “Rurouni Kenshin: Final Chapter Part I – The Final”, will join forces again on screen after a 23-year hiatus in the upcoming Netflix series “Human Vapor”. They last collaborated in the film “Ao to Shiro de Mizuiro” back in 2001.

“Human Vapor” is a contemporary reinterpretation of the 1960s sci-fi thriller with the same title. Originally directed by Ishirō Honda, known for his work on “Godzilla”, this film follows the story of a librarian who undergoes radiation experiments and gains the ability to transform into a gaseous form. Utilizing these new abilities, he embarks on a spree of bank robberies to aid a struggling dancer he admires financially. The movie is celebrated for its thoughtful examination of power dynamics and societal oppression.

Filmmaker Yeon Sang-ho, famous for “Train to Busan” and “Hellbound,” is preparing to serve as executive producer and collaborate on the script with Ryu Yong-jae (“Money Heist: Korea – Joint Economic Area”). The upcoming series will be helmed by director Katayama Shinzo, who has previously worked on projects like “Missing” and “Gannibal.”

As a cinephile, I’m thrilled to be part of the exciting collaboration between the colossal streaming platform and the legendary Japanese animation studio. This captivating series, a joint production with Wow Point, promises an unforgettable cinematic experience.

In Yeon’s words: “From the suggestions by Toho, one of them was ‘The Human Vapor,’ a 1960 film from their ‘Transforming Human Series.’ Despite its age, its science fiction elements are remarkably well-executed. I think if it were remade with contemporary visual effects, it would be incredibly captivating.”

Katayama expressed his excitement: “I found the mix of human emotions and romantic aspects fascinating, even though it involved an unrealistic creature such as the Human Vapor. I believed we could breathe new life into this timeless special effects production using today’s advanced VFX CG technology and infuse it with more human drama to create a truly captivating masterpiece.”

I’ve been captivated by the journey of this talented duo who devoted nearly three years to crafting their compelling script. Their goal was to rejuvenate the story for modern viewers, all while preserving its fundamental themes. As Yeon put it, “Though categorized as sci-fi and thriller, at heart, it’s a tale about people. Our focus was on delicately exploring human emotions and showcasing the characters’ humanity through the narrative itself.”

Katayama mentioned, “We’ve been granted exclusive access to film in places typically off-limits for shooting. I’m confident we’ll produce footage unlike anything ever captured before.”

“The project titled ‘Human Vapor’ is set to be another addition to the expanding roster of joint productions between Korea and Japan on Netflix, following in line with the upcoming series tentatively named ‘Romantic Anonymous’ and ‘Soul Mate.'”

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2024-08-08 02:16