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Live-Action Monster Hunter Film Casts Hirona Yamazaki

Sony Pictures revealed on Thursday that actress Hirona Yamazaki will join its live-action film adaptation of CAPCOM's Monster Hunter action game franchise. Yamazaki will play the Handler, a character who supports the efforts of Artemis and the Hunter. A similar Handler character also appeared in the recent Monster Hunter: World game.

Sony Pictures previously revealed the first official promotional photograph for the film last month, showing actors Milla Jovovich and Tony Jaa in costume.

Screen Gems also shared the film's story:

Behind our world, there is another: a world of dangerous and powerful monsters that rule their domain with deadly ferocity. When Lt. Artemis (Milla Jovovich) and her loyal soldiers are transported from our world to the new world, the unflappable lieutenant receives the shock of her life. In her desperate battle for survival against enormous enemies with incredible powers and unstoppable, revolting attacks, Artemis will team up with a mysterious man who has found a way to fight back.

The film will star Jovovich (Resident Evil movie franchise) as film-original character Captain Natalie Artemis and martial arts actor Jaa (Ong-Bak film series) as "The Hunter." Additionally, Ron Perlman (Hellboy film series, Pacific Rim, Sons of Anarchy) plays the Admiral, who is the leader of The Hunter's crew. T.I. Harris (Ant-Man, Ant-Man and the Wasp) plays a sniper named Link, and Diego Boneta (Luis Miguel: La Serie, Pretty Little Liars) plays Sergeant Marshall. Meagan Good and Josh Helman also have roles in the film.

Several of the film's actors previously posted photographs from the set on Instagram.

Constantin Film will release the film in German-speaking territories, Tencent Pictures will release the film in China, and Sony's Screen Gems will release the film in the United States. TOHO will distribute the film in Japan. Sony Pictures Releasing International will release the film in the rest of the world.

The film is budgeted at around US$60 million, and is shooting in and around Cape Town in South Africa. The film started production in October.

Source: Cinema Today via Otakomu