picture of the day

Wolverine

33 Comments

Australian actor Hugh Jackman, actress Naomi Kawashima, left, and actor Ryuta Sato, right, get ready to cut a cake made by the patissier husband of Kawashima during a promotional event for "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" (titled "X-Men: Zero" for Japan) at Roppongi Hills Arena on Thursday night. Jackman, who rode along the red carpet on a Harley-Davidson, said he looked forward to returning to Japan to film the 5th installment of the series -- which is partly set here -- and joked that Wolverine's claws would come in handy eating sashimi. "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" opens in Japan on Sept 11.

© Japan Today

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.


33 Comments
Login to comment

Looks like Sato has a man-crush on Jackman.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

That movie was maa maa.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Movies take waaaaay too long to get here. This one came out like 6 months ago!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

combinibento the reason why is the have to get cheap no talent actors and do voice overs. Plus they need time to translate the script. Change the movie title to make it more interesting for the Japanese audience. Some movies they promote fast others they take their time with.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Why are these two there with Jackman? I do see the man-crush. Kawaiiso!!!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Why are these two there with Jackman?

The next Wolverine movie is being filmed in Japan. Part of a deal with the movie companies probably. He's being nice to everyone now.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

He's being nice to everyone now.

Never heard of him to pull a Bale, though listening to that, I might of gone off on that guy too.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Hugh Jackman? Great actor. Very smart guy. Always seems nice, genuine, and personable.

He brings 'metro sexual' to a whole different level; more like 'shinkansen sexual'.

Full props due to him.

Wolverine? No. The Prestige? Yes.

And don't even start me talking about Naomi Cougarshima.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I saw this movie at the beginning of May in South Korea. Why the hell does Japan take so long to get movies, aside from waiting for the actor to be able to promote it here??

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Sato, one of the best actors.His face is always pleasant. Actress very elegant in her kimono.

The other actor looks like he is just worried about getting his next pay "instalment" as mentioned by JT.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The next Wolverine movie is being filmed in Japan. Part of a deal with the movie companies probably. He's being nice to everyone now.

HELLO? they are filming part of the next film in Japan because that is where wolverine goes for a while to get away from his demons and sharpen his new mad skills. I knew that when I came out the womb. get with pop culture bub.

The movie isn't going to win any awards, but it was better than x men 2 and the 3rd for sure... The movie didn't even make sence. Magneto ruined the whole movie. why move a concrete bridge, when you could make a cool metal bridge with all the METAL CARS (or car doors)!!!! its would have looked cooler, and have been more along the lines of something magneto would do... and he wouldn't just sacrifice all his mutant soldiers like that.... gosh so unrealistic for a semi evil but logically grounded super mutant.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

AND as for movies coming to Japan late. Yeah it really sucks sometimes.

Ladies and Gentlemen who live in japan. Please learn about Bit Torrent. It sovles most of the time related problems!!! I watched the Wolverine movie, IN JAPAN over 6 months. and don't complain to me about stealing. I spend a third of my pay check going to just one movie in Japan.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

saw this movie back in April in Australia. What's the reason for a 5 month delay while ticket prices are still the same?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I spend a third of my pay check going to just one movie in Japan.

your salary is 5,400? you should be stealing bread not movies.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

neverknow2

Jackman was not "being nice to everyone" for the reason you allude to. Jackman is a nice guy and a true entertainer. I was at Roppongi Hills last night and he was a real dynamo for the hour he was there. The fans loved every bit of it.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Looking forward to X-Men Origins: Magneto ... :)

And Ryuta Sato always has such a nice smile!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Where is Naomi's left hand anyway?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

nisegaijin: There are various theories, all of which are bogus on their own (if you listen to a movie rep.). A friend of mine in the movie business made the following excuses to me before I shot them down:

1) Friend: It takes time to get permission to import movies. Me: How about The Last Samurai as one of many examples where Japan bragged about being 'the first country in the world to show' it?

2) F: Japan is the only country in the world to provide not only a subtitled version of the movie, but a dubbed one; that takes time. Me: See above, and then look into the facts on what you said. It's not the only country.

3) F: The Japan Film Board is strict in allowing content in and needs time to review the material before public release. Me: Yes and no. See above for an example of no. When the movie paints Japan or it's culture in a good/exciting light, it's released on the same day or within a week to three months. If it's negative (Lost in Translation, despite winning to Academy Awards), it can take more than a year. If it's guaranteed to be a blockbuster in Japan based on past example (ex. Harry Potter), it comes out very soon after release in other nations.

4) F: Japan wants the stars of the movies to be available for promotion. Me: True! but then there are plenty of examples, again, where they release the movie at the same time as other countries regardless.

Anyway, it's a combination of the above, and what my friend failed to mention is that paying for the rights to show the movie are less after time passes, and they can still keep the ticket costs jacked up. For reasons like this you cannot buy the movies sold on iTunes in other countries, and companies like amazon has contracts with Japan not to export DVDs, etc.

inakaRob: All who are wise know about BitTorrent, we can still lament the fact that Japan takes its sweet time in releasing a lot of good flicks, if they show them at all. And thank you for pointing out to some why the next movie is in part filmed in Japan. You beat me to the punch.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Why did an angel like Naomi Kawashima agree to participate in a promotional event which focused on a violent movie? Naomi Kawashima is so pretty for her age. She looks like a classic Japanese woman of 1960s. Hopefully, her husband or his company will start an international delivery soon, so Naomi Kawashima can fly overseas to deliver a cake to my American home!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Hugh Jackman is so cool and is multi-talented. I have really enjoyed watching the X-Men series of movies so far and can't wait to see this latest installment.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Saw it in Singapore. Wait for the Rental. Not worth 1800 yen. Paid 600 yen in Singapore. It was priced correctly there.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Naomi looks great for a 48-year-old. Japanese women age well.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

smithinjapan "and companies like amazon has contracts with Japan not to export DVDs, etc. " actually they don't. Amazon freely ship any movie you like from the US to Japan, as does AtlanticDVD in Australia, Amazon in the UK etc.

How would Amazon have a "contract with Japan"? The film studios and promoters in Japan are the key players here, who direct distribution and import process. Companies like Toshiba EMI who contract a lot of the dubbing and promotion of overseas content. The work isn't straight forward always because often companies are bidding for the work and distribution rights in countries which cause delays.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Not worth 1800 yen.

Good point. This movie seems like it's probably worth a 200 yen rental. I can think of a ton of better things to do than watching your typical "blow em up with no good dialog and plot" movie.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Hollywood movie release dates have to do with the distributors, very simple.

Like in the States, many movies are released at key times to increase ticket sales... so US release dates often don't coincide with ideal Japanese ones.

I believe Ponyo was just released in the US, I doubt most US audience members cared when it was originally released in Japan. Same goes for US movies release in Japan, most people want dubbing or subtitles... they won't pirate.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

How is this the "5th" installment of x-men? I count X-men 1-3 and wolverine.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

How is this the "5th" installment of x-men? I count X-men 1-3 and wolverine.

It's not, read the text again ;-)

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Plus they need time to translate the script.

Nothing to do with that....a friend of mine translates movies out here and has scripts before filming has wrapped (later revisions are made due top alterations, reshoots and adlibs.... but 99% of the script translation is usually finalised well before release)

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I have said it before and I will say it again... for the most part Japan movie release dates have nothing to due with US/Global release dates. My feeling is that movies are released around the big 3 holiday periods: New Year's, Golden Week and Obon.

Additionally, some flicks release dates are based on historical dates. I am referring to Star Wars which seems to arrive on Japan's shores in July when most countries seem to release in May. I read that the first Star Wars was released in July and so the sequels/prequels were also. There was a quote from some movie big wig who essentially quoted what I said above.

In plane language, the people in charge of release dates here have absolutely no incentive to release movies earlier. That is why you can see a movie on an airplane which has yet to be released in Japan.

As far as Ponyo and Japanese movies in general... there is not a heavy demand for these flicks.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

As far as Ponyo and Japanese movies in general... there is not a heavy demand for these flicks.

Well, if you are talking about a country like South Africa, then yes, there isn't a demand for a movie like 'Ponyo'. The same could be said of this Wolverine movie here; there really isn't a great demand to see it. I know I don't want to.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Where is Naomi's left hand anyway?

I know where my girlfriend's hand would be if she were standing there... She'd have a firm grip on Jackman's bum!

I liked the movie, but then I went in hoping to see an action film with Wolverine kickin' butt. And that's what I saw. My girlfriend went in hoping to see Jackman with his shirt off. And that's what she saw. And more. So everybody was happy.

Even though movie prices have gone up here in the U.S., it's still cheaper than seeing them in Japan.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Login to leave a comment

Facebook users

Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday. By doing so, you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts.

Facebook Connect

Login with your JapanToday account

User registration

Articles, Offers & Useful Resources

A mix of what's trending on our other sites