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'{{short description|1993 film by Yoshiaki Kawajiri}} {{Infobox film | name = Ninja Scroll | image = Ninja-Scroll-Poster.jpg | caption = Theatrical release poster | native_name = {{Infobox Japanese | kanji = 獣兵衛忍風帖 | revhep = Jūbē Ninpūchō }} | director = [[Yoshiaki Kawajiri]] | producer = {{ubl|Shigeru Kitayama|Masako Fukuyo|Kazuhiko Ikeguchi}} | writer = Yoshiaki Kawajiri | starring = {{ubl|[[Kōichi Yamadera]]|[[Emi Shinohara]]|[[Takeshi Aono]]|[[Daisuke Gōri]]|[[Toshihiko Seki]]|[[Shūichirō Moriyama]]}} | music = [[Kaoru Wada]] | cinematography = Hitoshi Yamaguchi | editing = {{ubl|Harutoshi Ogata|Yukiko Itō}} | studio = {{plainlist| *[[JVC]] *[[Toho]] *[[Movic]] *[[Madhouse (company)|Madhouse]] *[[Animate (retailer)|Animate Film]]}} | distributor = Tokyo Theatres Company | released = {{film date|1993|6|5}} | runtime = 94 minutes | country = Japan | language = Japanese | budget = }} {{Nihongo|'''''Ninja Scroll'''''|獣兵衛忍風帖|''Jūbē Ninpūchō''|lit. "Jubei's Ninja Chronicles"|lead=yes}} is a 1993 Japanese [[anime|animated]] ''[[jidaigeki]]''-[[Samurai cinema|''chanbara'' film]] written and directed by [[Yoshiaki Kawajiri]], starring the voices of [[Kōichi Yamadera]], [[Emi Shinohara]], [[Takeshi Aono]], [[Daisuke Gōri]], [[Toshihiko Seki]] and [[Shūichirō Moriyama]]. The film was a co-production between [[JVC]], [[Toho]] and [[Movic]], with [[Madhouse (company)|Madhouse]] serving as the animation studio. ''Ninja Scroll'' was theatrically released in Japan on June 5, 1993, and received an English-[[Dubbing (filmmaking)|dubbed]] release through [[Manga Entertainment]] in 1995.<ref name="Cast">{{cite web|title=Ninja Scroll (movie)|url=http://www.crystalacids.com/database/title/488/ninja-scroll/|access-date=February 27, 2017|work=Crystalacids}}</ref> The film takes place in [[History of Japan#Feudal Japan (1185–1868)|feudal Japan]] and follows Kibagami Jubei, a [[mercenary]] swordsman who battles the Eight Devils of Kimon, a team of ninjas with supernatural powers who are intent on overthrowing the [[Tokugawa shogunate]]. During his quest, he is aided by Dakuan, an elderly but crafty government spy, and Kagero, a [[Kōga-ryū|Kōga]] [[kunoichi]] whose body is infused with poisonous toxins. Praised for its animation and action scenes, ''Ninja Scroll'' is regarded by many as one of the most influential anime films ever made. Alongside ''[[Akira (1988 film)|Akira]]'' and ''[[Ghost in the Shell (1995 film)|Ghost in the Shell]]'', it was responsible for increasing the popularity of adult-oriented anime outside of Japan. The film has been cited by [[The Wachowskis]] as an influence on the ''[[The Matrix (franchise)|Matrix]]'' franchise, and resulted in Kawajiri later contributing to two segments of the anthology film ''[[The Animatrix]]''.<ref name="Matrix Interview">{{cite web|url=http://www.matrixfans.net/the-animatrix/world-record/interview-with-writer-yoshiaki-kawajiri/#sthash.RK0Yh4FF.dpbs|work=MatrixFans.net|access-date=March 3, 2017|title=Interview with Writer Yoshiaki Kawajiri}}</ref> A televised [[stand-alone sequel]], ''[[Ninja Scroll: The Series]]'', was aired in Japan in 2003. ==Plot== <!-- Per WP:FILMPLOT, plot summaries for feature films should be between 400 to 700 words only. --> In [[Edo period]]-[[Japan]], the {{Nihongo|Yamashiro clan|山城藩|Yamashiro-han}} mines gold in secret, and sends a shipment to the [[House of Toyotomi|Toyotomi]] {{Nihongo|Shogun of the Dark|闇公方|Yami Kubō}} as payment for his protection. The Shogun of the Dark intends to use the gold to buy advanced Spanish weaponry and overthrow the current government, the [[Tokugawa Shogunate]]. The ship runs aground onto {{Nihongo|Mochizuki territory|望月藩|Mochizuki-han}} in a storm, and the {{Nihongo|Eight Devils of Kimon|鬼門八人衆|Kimon Hachininshū}}, a ninja team with supernatural powers in the employ of the Yamashiro, kill the people of the nearby {{Nihongo|Shimoda Village|下田村|Shimoda-mura}} to keep the gold shipment a secret. While investigating the deaths, a Mochizuki Kōga ninja team is massacred by the Devils. The sole survivor, the [[kunoichi]] {{Nihongo|Kagero|陽炎|Kagerō}}, is captured by a Devil, {{Nihongo|Tessai|鉄斎|Tessai}}, who attempts to rape her. She is rescued by {{Nihongo|Kibagami Jubei|牙神 獣兵衛|Kibagami Jūbē}}, a [[mercenary]] ex-Yamashiro ninja, who fights and eventually kills Tessai. {{Nihongo|Dakuan|濁庵|Dakuan}}, a Tokugawa spy, [[blackmail]]s Jubei into helping him kill the remaining Devils. To ensure his compliance, Dakuan stabs Jubei with a poisoned [[shuriken]], and promises to give him an antidote once the mission is complete. Jubei learns from Dakuan that the leader of the Devils is {{Nihongo|Himuro Gemma|氷室 弦馬|Himuro Genma}}, the former Yamashiro ninja leader, who had ordered his team's members to kill each other to cover up the location of the goldmine five years earlier. Jubei, who had been forced to kill his comrades to survive, decapitated Gemma in revenge; Gemma survived due to his [[immortality]]. Jubei is attacked by another Devil, {{Nihongo|Benisato|紅里|Benisato}}, but he is saved by Kagero; before she can be questioned, Benisato is killed from afar by {{Nihongo|Yurimaru|百合丸|Yurimaru}}, Gemma's right-hand man, for failing her mission. Kagero agrees to work alongside Jubei and Dakuan, who informs Jubei that her body is infused with such deadly toxins that anyone who kisses or sleeps with her dies, which was why Jubei could kill Tessai. The trio arrive in Shimoda, where they discover that the villagers died due to their water supply being poisoned, making it appear that they were killed by a plague. Jubei and Kagero fend off attacks from three of the Devils – {{Nihongo|Mushizo|蟲蔵|Mushizō}}, {{Nihongo|Zakuro|石榴|Zakuro}}, and {{Nihongo|Utsutsu Mujuro|現 夢十郎|Utsutsu Mujūrō}}; Jubei succeeds in killing Mushizo and Utsutsu. After finding the beached ship, Kagero deduces that the gold has been taken to Kashima Harbor, where it will be transported to the Shogun of the Dark in another ship. Jubei, Kagero, and Dakuan arrive at Kashima, which has been evacuated due to the townspeople's fear of the plague. While Jubei battles another Devil, {{Nihongo|Shijima|シジマ|Shijima}}, Kagero sends a message to {{Nihongo|Sakaki Hyobu|榊 兵部|Sakaki Hyōbu}}, the Mochizuki chamberlain, to bring his army to the harbour. She also learns from Dakuan that Jubei's poisoning will only be cured if he copulates with her – the poisons in her body will counteract his. Kagero is captured by Shijima, and Jubei kills him, rescuing her once more. Kagero asks Jubei to sleep with her to cure himself. He decides against it, and upon the arrival of the Shogun of the Dark's envoy in a ship, he leaves to prevent the gold reaching its destination. Kagero arrives to meet Sakaki, but he stabs her, revealing himself to be Gemma in disguise as he had murdered the real one days before. Enraged, Jubei fights through waves of ninjas, but is nearly killed by Yurimaru. A gunpowder-rigged rat, left as a trap by Zakuro for Yurimaru for rejecting her advances, kills him, allowing Jubei to escape. He finds Kagero; mortally wounded, she admits her love for him and they kiss, curing Jubei's poisoning. Before dying, Kagero gives Jubei her headband. Jubei and Dakuan board the departing ship. On board, Gemma reveals his true intentions – to use the gold to raise a ninja army to terrorize Japan rather than serve as an ally to the Toyotomi – to a masked samurai who serves as the Shogun of the Dark's envoy, and proceeds to kill him. During an altercation with Zakuro, Jubei and Dakuan set the ship ablaze. As Jubei and Gemma engage in a brutal fight, the gold becomes molten and engulfs Gemma, who sinks to the bottom of the sea. Afterwards, Dakuan thanks Jubei, and expresses admiration for his and Kagero's humanity. Jubei resumes his vagabond lifestyle, with Kagero's headband tied around his sword's hilt. ==Cast== {| class="wikitable mw-collapsible" |- ! rowspan="2" | Role ! rowspan="2" | Japanese<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=Ninja Scroll|url=https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/movies/Ninja-Scroll/|access-date=2021-12-19|website=Behind The Voice Actors|language=en-US}}</ref> !English<ref name=":1"/> |- !<small>[[Animaze]]/[[Manga Entertainment]]</small> |- !'''Kibagami Jubei''' |[[Kōichi Yamadera]] |Dean Wein |- !'''Kagero''' |[[Emi Shinohara]] |[[Wendee Lee]] |- !'''Dakuan''' |[[Takeshi Aono]] |Steve Apostolina |- !'''Masked samurai''' |[[Osamu Saka]] |[[Michael Forest]] |- !'''Himuro Gemma''' |[[Daisuke Gōri]] |[[Richard Epcar]] |- !'''Doujin''' |[[Ichirō Nagai]] |[[Doug Stone (voice actor)|Doug Stone]] |- !'''Tessai''' |[[Ryūzaburō Ōtomo]] |[[Kevin Seymour]] |- !'''Shijima''' |Akimasa Ōmori |Kevin Seymour |- !'''Benisato''' |[[Gara Takashima]] |Marbry Steward |- !'''Hanza''' |[[Katsuji Mori]] |[[Kirk Thornton]] |- !'''Genpachi''' |[[Yūsaku Yara]] |Doug Stone |- !'''Utsutsu Mujuro''' |[[Norio Wakamoto]] |Kirk Thornton |- !'''Yurimaru''' |[[Toshihiko Seki]] |[[Richard Cansino]] |- !'''Zakuro''' |[[Masako Katsuki]] |Riva Spier |- !'''Mushizo''' |[[Reizō Nomoto]] |[[Milt Jamin]] |- !'''Shinkuro''' |[[Jun'ichi Sugawara]] |Milt Jamin |- ! '''Villager''' |[[Katsumi Suzuki]] |Marvyn Byrkett |- !'''Sakaki Hyobu''' |[[Shūichirō Moriyama]] |[[Edward Mannix]] |} ==Development== ''Ninja Scroll'''s story and style was influenced by the works of novelist [[Futaro Yamada]] and Western [[spy fiction]], with Jubei's character being loosely based on the historical figure [[Yagyū Jūbei Mitsuyoshi]].<ref name="Blu-ray">{{cite video|title=Ninja Scroll (Booklet - Yoshiaki Kawajiri: In His Own Words)|date=1993|medium=Blu-ray|publisher=[[Madman Entertainment]]|location=[[Richmond, Victoria|Richmond]], [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]]}}</ref><ref name="ANN Interview">{{cite web|title=Sakura-Con 2012 - Yoshiaki Kawajiri Q&A|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/convention/2012/sakura-con/4?ann-edition=au|access-date=March 3, 2017|work=[[Anime News Network]]}}</ref> Kawajiri considered it difficult to adapt Yamada's works into animation, and opted for a simple depiction. He stated that he found simplifying the storyline to be the most challenging aspect. The choice to contain lots of expository dialogue was considered necessary, due to younger audiences not being familiar with the culture of historical dramas.<ref name=":0">{{Cite AV media|title=Ninja Scroll|last=Kawajiri|first=Yoshiyaki|type=Blu-ray audio commentary|language=Japanese|publisher=[[Funimation UK|Manga Entertainment]]|year=2012}}</ref> The film was originally meant to consist of two films, being 45 minutes each. The storyboard was written this way, which is why there are climax scenes in the first and second half of the film.<ref name="Martin">Martin, Theron. [http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/ninja-scroll/blu-ray "Ninja Scroll Blu-Ray Review"], ''[[Anime News Network]]'', Nov 30, 2012. Retrieved 2016-12-27.</ref><ref name=":0" /> ==Release== The film was licensed by [[Manga Entertainment]] in Australia and North America until 2012 while its UK subsidiary kept the license and released the movie in a Blu-ray steelbook format in October 2012.<ref>{{cite news|title=Manga Entertainment: U.S. Rights to Ninja Scroll Expired|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2012-05-26/manga-entertainment-u.s-rights-to-ninja-scroll-expired|work=Anime News Network|access-date=2 September 2012}}</ref> The film has since been re-licensed in North America to [[Sentai Filmworks]] who re-released the film on DVD and Blu-ray in December 2012.<ref>{{cite news|title=Sentai Filmworks Adds Penguindrum, Ninja Scroll, Letter Bee|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2012-09-01/sentai-filmworks-adds-penguindrum-ninja-scroll-film-letter-bee|work=Anime News Network|access-date=September 2, 2012|date=September 1, 2012}}</ref> It was one of the first Japanese anime movies released in the [[United Kingdom]].<ref name=CollinreviewTelegraph>{{cite web|author=Collin, Robbie|author2=Tim Robey|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/filmreviews/9696537/Films-in-brief-The-House-I-Live-In-Starbuck-Lawrence-of-Arabia-Ninja-Scroll.html|title=Films in brief: The House I Live In, Starbuck, Lawrence of Arabia, Ninja Scroll|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|date=2012-11-22|access-date=2019-12-05}}</ref> In 1995, the [[British Board of Film Classification|BBFC]] cut the UK version by approximately 52 seconds, removing the sexual assault scene and images of throwing stars. These cuts were waived for the 2004 10th Anniversary release. ''Ninja Scroll'' was released in Australia by Manga UK in 1995 uncut with the MA15+ classification. In 1997 after it was screened on [[Special Broadcasting Service|SBS]], former Attorney-General [[Philip Ruddock]] controversially appealed the film's original classification and successfully had the classification upgraded to R18+ with no cuts. In January 1998 it broadcast twice on midnights on the new [[Teletoon]] station in Canada along with episodes of the [[Macross Plus]] OVA series.<ref>{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19980204020449/http://teletoon.com/adultShw.htm#ANIMÉ |url=http://teletoon.com/adultShw.htm#ANIMÉ |website=Teletoon.com |archive-date=4 February 1998 |title=TELETOON - Adult Shows |quote=Various Animé from Japan<br>Jan 3 & 9 - Ninja Scroll<br>Jan 10 & 16 - Macross Plus I<br>Jan 17 & 23 - Macross Plus II<br> Jan 24 & 30 - Macross Plus III<br>Fri. & Sat.: midnight}}</ref> [[GKIDS]] later announced that it would distribute the film within North America, with a theatrical release scheduled for April 2018. In 2000 when Manga and [[Madman Entertainment]] released ''Ninja Scroll'' on DVD, Madman mistakenly used the UK cut of the film instead of using the uncut Australian version. This was rectified in 2004 when Manga Entertainment released the ''10th Anniversary Special Edition of Ninja Scroll'' into western countries, and both Australia and the UK received ''Ninja Scroll'' uncut and remastered from a PAL VHS source. In [[Canada]] the film was given an 18A rating, while it was released Unrated in the [[United States]]. The film was released on Blu-ray in Japan on May 23, 2012.<ref>{{cite web|title=Jubei Ninpucho (Blu-ray) (Japan Version)|url=http://www.yesasia.com/global/jubei-ninpucho-blu-ray-japan-version/1030681444-0-0-0-en/info.html|access-date=29 January 2013}}</ref> ==Soundtrack== {{Infobox album | name = Ninja Scroll | type = soundtrack | artist = [[Kaoru Wada]] | cover = | caption = | alt = | released = December 3, 2003 | recorded = | venue = | studio = | genre = [[Film score]], [[traditional Japanese music]]<ref name=Soundtrack /> | length = 45:56 {{small|(CD)}}<br>45:00 {{small|(LP)}} | label = [[ADV Films|ADV Music]]{{small|(2003)}}<br>[[Milan Records]] {{small|(2015)}} | producer = | prev_title = | prev_year = | next_title = | next_year = }} {{Music ratings | rev1 = [https://web.archive.org/web/20191004181049/http://www.soundtrackgeek.com/v2/ Soundtrack Geek] | rev1Score = 69.2/100 [https://web.archive.org/web/20170709202612/http://www.soundtrackgeek.com/v2/soundtrack-review-ninja-scroll/ link] | rev2 = [https://web.archive.org/web/20200423161130/http://www.soundtrackdreams.com/ Soundtrack Dreams] | rev2Score = 69/100 [https://web.archive.org/web/20171001021934/http://www.soundtrackdreams.com/2015/12/soundtrack-review-ninja-scroll-kaoru-wada-2015/ link] | rev1score = }} The film's score was composed by [[Kaoru Wada]]. In the United States, the soundtrack was originally released on [[Compact disc|CD]] in 2003 by [[ADV Films|ADV Music]] under licence from [[Toho]] with the title ''Jubei Ninpucho Ninja Scroll (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.soundtrack.net/album/jubei-ninpucho/|title=Jubei Ninpucho (Ninja Scroll) |publisher=Soundtrack.net|access-date=2017-03-02}}</ref> Following ADV's closure, [[Milan Records]] re-released the album in 2015 on CD and [[digital music]] formats.<ref name=Soundtrack>{{cite web|url=https://milanrecords.com/soundtracks/ninja-scroll-original-music-by-kaoru-wada/|title=Ninja Scroll – original music by Kaoru Wada |publisher=[[Milan Records]]|access-date=2017-03-02}}</ref> In 2016, Milan also released the album on [[LP record|LP]] with a slightly different track listing and cover art by ''[[Godzilla]]'' artist Yuji Kaida; this release was limited to 500 copies.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://milanrecords.com/vinyl/ninja-scroll-music-kaoru-wada/|title=Ninja Scroll vinyl – original music by Kaoru Wada |publisher=[[Milan Records]]|access-date=2017-03-02}}</ref> ==Reception== ''Ninja Scroll'' won the Citizen's Award at the 1993 [[Yubari International Fantastic Film Festival]]. On [[review aggregator]] website [[Rotten Tomatoes]], the film has a rating of 94%, based on 14 reviews, with an average rating of 7.5/10.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/ninja-scroll/|title=Ninja Scroll|work=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|access-date=February 16, 2018}}</ref> During the 1990s, ''Ninja Scroll'' was among the most popular anime movies outside Japan, along with such movies as ''[[Akira (1988 film)|Akira]]'' and ''[[Ghost in the Shell (1995 film)|Ghost in the Shell]]''. The North American video release of ''Ninja Scroll'' had sold more than 70,000 copies by May 1996, becoming Manga Entertainment's best-selling title at the time.<ref>{{cite magazine |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] | publisher=[[Prometheus Global Media]] | title=Shelf Talk: Manga Chopping Out Space On Store Shelves For Its Japanimation Releases| author=Fitzpatrick, Eileen | date=May 18, 1996 | page=67 | issn=0006-2510}}</ref> In February 2004, ''[[Cinefantastique]]'' listed the anime as one of the "10 Essential Animations".<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Persons|first1=Dan|title=The Americanization of Anime: 10 Essential Animations|journal=[[Cinefantastique]]|date=February–March 2004|volume=36|issue=1|page=48|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ly0nAQAAIAAJ&q=editions:0AFLRE736LO1AnqYXhN92VLUi3o6sFT1GgYU-Fw2cLmjwIZk1c7q9_ZE|access-date=April 28, 2017}}</ref> Theron Martin from ''[[Anime News Network]]'' stated that the "action scenes sizzle with energy and powerful maneuvers unencumbered by tiresome dramatics" and further stated that the plot "mostly exists just to set up conflicts between the protagonists and the Devils of Kimon and allow various characters to show off their colorful ninja techniques".<ref name=Martin/> He concluded that "''Ninja Scroll''{{'}}s story is too thin for it to ever legitimately be considered one of the all-time great anime movies" but considers it to be a classic.<ref name=Martin/> He stated that the dubbed English version, which he stated has "slightly more attitude and some distinctive vocal styling mixed in with an occasional awkward emphasis", is "very faithful" script-wise to the original Japanese version and that it still "holds its own" in 2012.<ref name=Martin/> In 2012, Robbie Collin of ''[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]]'' ranked it three of five stars, explaining that "Its baroque sadism and sexism hasn’t aged well, but it still packs a visceral kick."<ref name=CollinreviewTelegraph/> ==Legacy== ===Anime series=== {{main|Ninja Scroll: The Series}} A Japanese animated television series named ''Ninja Scroll: The Series'' aired in Japan in 2003 and ran for 13 episodes. The series is a [[stand-alone sequel]] to the film; however, many references suggest that it is indeed a continuation. In the series, Jubei gets caught in the middle of a battle between the Kimon clan and the Hiruko clan. He meets up with the Light Maiden Shigure, a young lady whose village was destroyed by the Kimon clan and whom Jubei was charged with delivering a Dragon Stone to. The duo are joined by Tsubute (a young thief) and Dakuan (Tokugawa shogunate spy), and together they try to find out why both the Kimon and the Hiruko clan are after her and why the Dragon Stone she carries is so important to them. The show was directed by [[Tatsuo Satō (director)|Tatsuo Sato]] (''[[Martian Successor Nadesico]]''), with character design done by Takahiro Yoshimatsu (''[[Trigun]]''). ===Sequel=== In August 2008, Madhouse announced that an official sequel was in the works with Kawajiri returning to write and direct.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bloody-disgusting.com/news/13257/ninja-scroll-animated-sequel-planned/|title=''Ninja Scroll'' Animated Sequel Planned|publisher=Bloody Disgusting|date=August 11, 2008|access-date=June 24, 2018}}</ref> In July 2012, the studio released a teaser trailer for a "three-episode short animation" titled ''Ninja Scroll Burst'', intended to attract investors to the project.<ref name="annupdate">{{cite news|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-02-28/madhouse-updates-on-planned-ninja-scroll-project|title=Madhouse Updates on Planned ''Ninja Scroll'' Project|work=Anime News Network|date=February 28, 2014|access-date=June 24, 2018}}</ref> In February 2014, Madhouse CEO Hiroyuki Okada confirmed that Kawajiri had a finished script, tentatively titled {{Nihongo|''Ninja Scroll Kocho''|獣兵衛忍風帖 胡蝶|Jūbē Ninpūchō Kochō}}, and that production would move ahead as soon as financing had been secured.<ref name="annupdate" /> He also divulged that the studio was experiencing difficulty finding investors due to the fact that the original film was "not a big hit in Japan".<ref name="annupdate" /> As of 2019, the project remains in limbo. In North America, the ''[[Ninja Resurrection]]'' [[original video animation]] was marketed as a sequel to ''Ninja Scroll'', but was actually based on an [[Makai Tensho|unrelated story]] and created by a different animation studio. The only similarity is a lead character with the given name "Jubei". ===Comics=== In September 2006, [[WildStorm]] launched a 12-issue ''Ninja Scroll'' comic-book series written by [[J. Torres]], which follows the further adventures of Jubei.<ref>{{cite web | author=Goldstein, Hilary | date=August 24, 2006 | title=''Ninja Scroll'' Continues | url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2006/08/24/ninja-scroll-continues | website=[[IGN]] | access-date=August 4, 2013}}</ref> ===Live-action adaptation=== In October 2008, it was reported that [[Warner Bros.]] had acquired the rights to develop a live-action adaptation of ''Ninja Scroll'', with [[Leonardo DiCaprio]]'s [[Appian Way Productions]], [[Madhouse (company)|Madhouse]], and Japanese producer Jungo Maruta also involved in the project.<ref name="cswarner">{{cite news | url=http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=50000 | title=Warner Bros. Acquires ''Ninja Scroll'' | work=ComingSoon.net | publisher=[[CraveOnline]] | date=October 26, 2008 | access-date=April 12, 2010 }}</ref> Screenwriter [[Alex Tse]], who co-wrote the 2009 film ''[[Watchmen (film)|Watchmen]]'', was hired to write the screenplay.<ref name="cswarner" /> In April 2009, it was reported that DiCaprio would act as producer, and was considering casting the Japanese boy band [[SMAP]] in the lead roles.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-04-06/paper/dicaprio-considers-smap-for-ninja-scroll-film|title=DiCaprio Considers SMAP for ''Ninja Scroll'' Film|work=Anime News Network|date=April 6, 2009|access-date=February 29, 2012}}</ref> In October 2015, ''[[Dracula Untold]]'' director [[Gary Shore]] revealed he had once been attached to direct the film, releasing a [[proof of concept]] trailer he had produced with [[motion capture]] by [[David Leitch (director)|87Eleven]] and animation by The Third Floor.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2015-10-30/live-action-ninja-scroll-proof-of-concept-video-shows-what-might-have-been/.94838|title=Live-Action ''Ninja Scroll'' Proof of Concept Video Shows What Might Have Been|work=Anime News Network|date=October 30, 2015|access-date=June 24, 2018}}</ref> As of 2018, the production remains in [[development hell]]. ==References== {{reflist}} ==External links== {{Portal|Anime and manga|1990s}} {{wikiquote}} *{{Official website|http://www.madhouse.co.jp/works/1994-1993/works_movie_jyubei.html}} {{in lang|ja}} *{{anime News Network|anime|485}} *{{IMDb title|0107692}} {{Yoshiaki Kawajiri}} {{Madhouse films}} [[Category:1993 fantasy films]] [[Category:1990s spy films]] [[Category:1993 LGBT-related films]] [[Category:1993 anime films]] [[Category:1993 films]] [[Category:Bisexuality-related films]] [[Category:Japanese fantasy adventure films]] [[Category:Films about immortality]] [[Category:Films about terrorism in Asia]] [[Category:Films adapted into comics]] [[Category:Films adapted into television shows]] [[Category:Films directed by Yoshiaki Kawajiri]] [[Category:Films scored by Kaoru Wada]] [[Category:Films set in feudal Japan]] [[Category:Historical fantasy anime and manga]] [[Category:Horror anime and manga]] [[Category:Japanese LGBT-related films]] [[Category:Japanese animated fantasy films]] [[Category:Japanese animated horror films]] [[Category:1990s Japanese-language films]] [[Category:LGBT in anime and manga]] [[Category:LGBT-related animated films]] [[Category:Madhouse (company)]] [[Category:Manga Entertainment]] [[Category:Martial arts fantasy films]] [[Category:Martial arts horror films]] [[Category:Ninja films]] [[Category:Ninja in anime and manga]] [[Category:Rape and revenge films]] [[Category:Samurai in anime and manga]] [[Category:Sentai Filmworks]] [[Category:Japanese adult animated films]]'