Keanu Reeves to lead voice cast of 'Hidari', Japanese stop-motion samurai film

Keanu Reeves joins 'Hidari', directed by Masashi Kawamura and inspired by Edo-period legend Jingoro Hidari

Keanu Reeves has been announced as the lead voice actor for Hidari, a Japanese stop-motion samurai feature film currently in development from director Masashi Kawamura. The announcement was made at Cannes by the project’s producers.

The film expands on Kawamura’s 2023 proof-of-concept short, which has gained close to 5 million views online.

Hidari is loosely based on the legend of Jingoro Hidari, a master carpenter from Japan’s Edo period. The story follows the character after a personal tragedy in which he loses his father figure, his fiancée and his right arm due to a betrayal linked to the reconstruction of Edo Castle.

He then channels his grief into vengeance, using mechanical prosthetic arms and a wooden companion known as the Sleeping Cat. Kawamura has also written the screenplay.

Reeves said in a statement, “I’m thrilled by the vision behind Hidari. From the proof of concept to the developed script, the team has created something truly extraordinary. It has all the makings of an exceptional film — one I’m excited to see and eager to be part of. I believe this project has the potential to bring something very special to audiences worldwide.”

Kawamura said, “I’m super excited to be collaborating with Keanu. When someone with his experience and creative vision watches your proof of concept and says, ‘I want to be part of this,’ it’s an incredible feeling. He’s not just lending his voice to Hidari — he’s helping us shape and expand this world.”

Reeves previously voiced Duke Caboom in Toy Story 4 and Shadow the Hedgehog in Sonic the Hedgehog 3. He has also been involved in narration and production work on projects under his BRZRKR comic and Netflix banner.

The film is produced by Noriko Matsumoto of Dwarf Studios, alongside Tokyo-based agency Whatever and animation studio TECARAT, with financing from Questry Co.’s Tomonobu Ibe. A release date for Hidari has not yet been confirmed.