Gary Oldman, left, Kippei Shiina, center, and Kyoko Hasegawa

Actress Kyoko Hasegawa to appear with Gary Oldman in 'Rain Fall'

Saturday 24th May, 07:24 AM JST

Actress Kyoko Hasegawa, 29, will be appearing with British actor Gary Oldman, 50, in the thriller “Rain Fall,” the first of Barry Eisler’s books to be filmed. Eisler’s six books revolve around John Rain, a Japanese-American freelance assassin and former CIA operative. Rain will be played by Japanese actor Kippei Shiina, 43, while Oldman plays the head of the CIA’s Tokyo office.

The story takes place in Tokyo where Rain is assigned to kill a woman (Hasegawa). Production started in April at Toei Studio in Tokyo, with scenes filmed on location in Ginza and Shinjuku. Hasegawa, who is making her first English-language film, expressed her admiration for Oldman. ”I have seen so many of his films. It’s like a dream that I can work with him. I think this experience will really boost my confidence.”

“Rain Fall” is scheduled to be released in April next year.

Latest 15 of 35 Total Comments Show All

Nessie at 01:00 AM JST - 25th May

Nessie, his fifth element accent was a gag

Not an amusing one. I think I'll just have to put him on the list of actors like Clive Owen whom I can do without. (Sorry Zai, or was it Cleo who was the Clive Owen fan.) I think he gets the baddie roles because he's a chronic ham. I'd call him Mr. Potato head, too, but less for his chameleon-like prowess than for his gross lack of subtlety. Maybe he can have a potatohead cameo in the next Toy Story.
KaptainKichigai at 11:07 AM JST - 25th May

Nessie, he had prosthetic buck teeth in that role. Obviously he was being cartoonish. Do you have any other reason for trashing him?, besides being insulted by his southern accent? The man's Bio spans decades with a vast vareity of roles, including writer and director. I am interested in your opinionand really enjoy discussing actors and what we like and hate about them. However, it is only fun when both people have a decent knowledge of the actor's work. Just saying "he stinks" is a valid point only if you can clearly defend it. I am sure you are intelligent, I just mean that it is only enjoyable to debate actors and movies if you can reference several specific examples that you like or hate (not that insults arent okay as long as they are relative). As for Dracula, the gross miscasting of Keanu and Winona was Coppola's nail in the coffin of that movie...so to speak. Oldman and Hopkins did their characters justice.
KaptainKichigai at 11:08 AM JST - 25th May

sorry for the typos, i type too fast sometimes.
KaptainKichigai at 11:15 AM JST - 25th May

Hey Sarge, Leon is a great example. On paper, the roles of both: Romeo is bleeding and Leon are "crooked New York cop". But the choices Oldman makes as an actor are so opposite, that it is hard to believe the same man is performing both characters. I loved Leon and didnt like many things about the Romeo, but it was worth watching for the role comparison.
Nessie at 02:25 PM JST - 25th May

Nessie, he had prosthetic buck teeth in that role. Obviously he was being cartoonish. Do you have any other reason for trashing him?, besides being insulted by his southern accent?

Who says I'm insulted by his southern accent, Kichigai? He can put on a kilt and a Hollywood brogue for all I care. I just don't appreciate overacting. I agree he was passable in Dracula. What I dislike about his acting is how forced it is. The Scarlet Letter is an example. I admit I haven't seen more than about a half-dozen of his films, but that should be enough to make a judgement.

man's Bio spans decades with a vast vareity of roles, including writer and director.

Yeah, I saw Nil by Mouth, which he wrote and directed; semi-autobiographical. Hated it because none of the characters were worth caring about.
smithinjapan at 04:00 PM JST - 25th May

Oldman has starred in some duds, to be sure, but most big actors have at some point. Unlike, Nessie, however, I think he has performed stunningly in other roles: Immortal Beloved, Leon, Sid and Nancy, and of course his role in True Romance, to name a few.
KaptainKichigai at 04:04 PM JST - 25th May

I guess insulted was a bit presumptuous. You just fixated on the abuse of the Southern accent, it seemed you were a little peeved about it. My bad. Well "passable" works for me. Fair enough. However, I think his villian roles are the ones cooked up in Hollywood Producer's meetings (see The Player). He has more subtle artistic roles. Please check out Immortal Beloved. I will personally refund your money if not completely satisfied.
Nessie at 04:08 PM JST - 25th May

I think his villian roles are the ones cooked up in Hollywood Producer's meetings (see The Player).

I think the purportedly comic roles suffered in part because they came via Luc Besson, who has shown time and time again that he has no grasp of humor and consistently gets the worst from even the best actors (Dustin Hoffman in Joan of Arc, anyone?). I'll check out immortal Beloved.
KaptainKichigai at 04:17 PM JST - 25th May

cool, thanks. Yeah Luc is a bit flambouyant.
KaptainKichigai at 04:17 PM JST - 25th May

Lets not forget his role as the villianous Russian in Air Force One.
KaptainKichigai at 04:18 PM JST - 25th May

in regards to my reference of Hollywood producers.
Ultradude at 08:04 AM JST - 26th May

Heard and met Barry Eisler at a luncheon last week - funny and interesting story-teller. Enjoy his books but it is obvious this film will be quite different than his book.
beowulf at 10:09 AM JST - 26th May

I know I am late, but did somebody say Kyoko Hasegawa was not good looking? What drugs are you on?

Oldman not a bad actor, though he can be a bit inconsistant. I always liked him best in Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead.
Hughgarse at 12:08 PM JST - 26th May

love the books.. Hope they can do a good job on the movie though.. Am sure Eisler is counting his cash right now!
KaptainKichigai at 07:14 PM JST - 26th May

R and G are dead is an awesome movie! Tim Roth, mentioned earlier and Oldman shine.