Atsuko Maeda's film canceled after studio goes bust due to Senkaku dispute

Oh dear, another thing to anger obssessive AKB48 fans.

Hope Maeda doesn't feel she has to cut all her hair off!

Sounds like the company was on shaky financial foundations to begin with. I guess the Chinese make a good scapegoat.

Something here doesn't add up. And it's not this film's production costs.

@jefflee, indeed, there is something missing about this story. Shoddy budgeting perhaps.

So why and how exactly did the Senkaku issue "cause shooting costs to skyrocket"? I don't see the connection.

Cancelled? So will this film never see the light of day? I predict another company will pick this up, in the future. Thanks reporter/translator.

Who really cares? I don't.

Who really cares? I don't.

Did your cat jump at your mouse and click on a link to an article you're not interested in again?

Anyway damn Ishihara and all the fools for impeding this production and Atsuko's unstoppable rise to the throne.

All hail AKB and its Graduates.

Speed

So why and how exactly did the Senkaku issue "cause shooting costs to skyrocket"? I don't see the connection.

Maybe they were going to shoot the film on the Senkakus? It's the only explanation.

sounds like a conspiracy going on.

Did your cat jump at your mouse and click on a link to an article you're not interested in again?

BURN

A period film with an AKB48 girl? Wow, never thought a film company failure would deliver a public service. But there it is. Saved from enduring another miscast kawaii "talento" in what should be a proper film. I do wish Japan would stop making so many silly fluffy idol filled films. If you look at Korea and how much global traction, recognition and awards their films are gathering vs. Japan and the endless stream of kawaii goo that emits from film companies here the difference is obvious. Korea makes films that are not just a platform for people to see kawaii brainless talento. They are films with stories to tell and they are getting recognized for doing so. How many mainstream Japanese films fly well outside of Asia? Few. Most films in SIFF or Sundance from Japan are indies that don't fly well here in the lad of kawaii.

I realize that the owner of AKB48 likes to use the word 'graduate' to mean 'quit' and I'm pleased that JT put 'graduate' in quotes but why doesn't JT use the shorter word 'quit'?

I also don't see the connection between their bankruptcy and Ishihara's islands. Could JT elaborate?

movie production and distribution house Prenom-H Co filed for bankruptcy

appropriate headline and simple explanation.

Blimey that was quick. Didnt they only announce last week that she was IN the flick?

Another production scam a la "The Producers". I hope the bankruptcy judge happened to see the movie.

really don't understand how the dispute could cause this unless the investors pulled support due to it

Article sorely needs an explanation.

They could probably fix it if they were to make it

Atsuko Maeda's film shows bust

It is was favorable for Japan I am sure lots of sponsors would pop-up out of the woods.

If I were to guess, the dispute over the islands has thrown a wrench in Japan-China relations and the majority of the exterior shooting schedule was supposed to occur in China. Think about it, how many places in Japan could still pass off as being in 1905? With relations worsening, I'm sure the cost of the bribes necessary to shoot in China jumped astronomically.

Like they surely had financial interest in the movie so they forced the director to cast an AKB. He is not an "horror director" , he's done TV stuff to pay his rent, but this days he is a talented director. I don't think "Tokyo Sonata" was " films that are not just a platform for people to see kawaii brainless talento.". But well, they struggle to find a budget for movies. Wong Kar Wai was forced to cast Kimu Taku to finance "2046".

It is was favorable for Japan I am sure lots of sponsors would pop-up out of the woods.

It seems it's Japanese sponsors that retracted as they no longer want to do a Chinese speaking movie.

hoping more more more and more drama and movies for maeda.

Score one for bankruptcy! Don't worry sweetie. There is always AV.

What a week excuse. Can anyone think why costs would riase because of Senkaku dispute (security?). Pity because would have been A-chan's acting debut and the world would have seen what an angel she is.

What a week excuse. Can anyone think why costs would riase because of Senkaku dispute (security?).

*weak I provided a possibility a mere three posts above yours. Did you miss it?

Thanks Fad. Sure I missed it. And misspelled weak. Bad day for me. And for the lovely Atsuko. Guess we will have to wair for her movie debut - pity.

Good, at least something positive has come out of all this bickering. Lets keep our fingers crossed that something good comes out of the Senkaku squabble...half price Idaho Burger L set?

....I mean the korea vs japan squabble.

On the one hand, I am happy that the project of an AKB-affiliated starlet has been cancelled. On the other, the story sounds potentially interesting. But wait a minute, it stars an AKB dropout and is 90% in Chinese? It wouldn't have been any good anyway.

Please at least get your undeserved criticism of the fine girls of AKB48 correct, she GRADUATED which means chose to move on honourably and there is no reason to be so negative about this fine group and the lovely and decent girls who are part of it. I am sad that China continues to be so aggresively stupid about the Sengoku Islands. They belong to Japan. Period. Always. End of story.