TOKYO -- Distrib Shochiku has added martial arts pic "Ichi" to its 2008 line-up, the company announced on Friday.
Helmed by Fumihiko Sori, who also made the 3-D sci-fi toon "Vexille," "Ichi" features a female version of the famed blind swordsman Zatoichi, played in an iconic series by Shintaro Katsu.
Newcomer Haruka Ayase ("Hero," "The Magic Hour") will play the visually challenged, justice-seeking heroine. The scripter is Taeko Asano ("Nana") and the sword action supervisor is Hiroshi Kuze, who worked with Akira Kurosawa on "Ran."
The pic is skedded for a fall release.
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