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Speaking of The Last Samurai, I really liked the actress who played Taka. Her name is Koyuki. She's extremely pretty, and while she didn't have that much to do, I liked her acting. While watching the movie I thought it would be interesting if she were in Memoirs of a Geisha, which is now in preproduction, as Sayuri or Hatsumomo.
I knew Sayuri had been cast, though. Zhang Ziyi will play the role.
I'm not sure if I can see Zhang Ziyi in the role. Mostly I think she's miscast, but time will tell. The fact that she barely speaks English could be a problem well past the fact that I just can't picture her playing Sayuri.
Gong Li is playing Hatsumomo. Wow, she's even prettier than Koyuki, and has a lot more experience.
Michelle Yeoh is playing Mameha. Possibly completely miscast.
What's with all these Chinese actresses playing Japanese characters? (Malaysian Chinese, Taiwan Chinese, Hong Kong Chinese, whatever - they aren't Japanese.) All Asian people do not look alike, and I can usually tell the difference between someone who is Chinese, Japanese, or Korean. Sometimes, in some places, "Chinese Type" is a female beauty standard, but I don't know how true that is today or in which parts of Asia you'd hear about it.
The largest female role featuring a Japanese actress is that of "Pumpkin," who as you may remember from the novel is not meant to be anywhere near as attractive as Sayuri or Hatsumomo. Pumpkin will be portrayed by Youki Kudoh, who I have always liked, and who I think is lovely and talented enough to have played either of the female leads.
Interestingly enough, though, while Koyuki isn't going to be in the film, another standout from The Last Samurai has the romantic male lead here: Ken Watanabe will be playing The Chairman. Ooooh swoony.
I knew Sayuri had been cast, though. Zhang Ziyi will play the role.
I'm not sure if I can see Zhang Ziyi in the role. Mostly I think she's miscast, but time will tell. The fact that she barely speaks English could be a problem well past the fact that I just can't picture her playing Sayuri.
Gong Li is playing Hatsumomo. Wow, she's even prettier than Koyuki, and has a lot more experience.
Michelle Yeoh is playing Mameha. Possibly completely miscast.
What's with all these Chinese actresses playing Japanese characters? (Malaysian Chinese, Taiwan Chinese, Hong Kong Chinese, whatever - they aren't Japanese.) All Asian people do not look alike, and I can usually tell the difference between someone who is Chinese, Japanese, or Korean. Sometimes, in some places, "Chinese Type" is a female beauty standard, but I don't know how true that is today or in which parts of Asia you'd hear about it.
The largest female role featuring a Japanese actress is that of "Pumpkin," who as you may remember from the novel is not meant to be anywhere near as attractive as Sayuri or Hatsumomo. Pumpkin will be portrayed by Youki Kudoh, who I have always liked, and who I think is lovely and talented enough to have played either of the female leads.
Interestingly enough, though, while Koyuki isn't going to be in the film, another standout from The Last Samurai has the romantic male lead here: Ken Watanabe will be playing The Chairman. Ooooh swoony.
