According to the International Herald Tribune, there's a strong possibility that Korean star Rain will make his Hollywood debut in the live-action "Speed Racer" movie being directed by the Wachowski brothers. There are no details yet on what his role might be.

Isshin Inudo's movie "Bizan," starring Nanako Matsushima, opened in theaters this weekend. Accompanying its release was the news that it has been invited to two major film festivals: the Shanghai International Film Festival (June 16-24) and the Montreal World Film Festival (August 23-September 3). "Bizan" will be in competition at Shanghai, but not at Montreal.

Fuji TV announcer Kazuhiro Watanabe is getting married. He and his girlfriend, who he has been dating for almost six years, plan to hold their ceremony on July 7, the day most Tanabata festivals are held. They have not yet registered their marriage, but they intend to do so before the ceremony.

The handsome Watanabe is very popular among women, and he generally ranks highly in surveys involving male announcers. In 1996, while he was still in university, he won a special judges' prize in the JUNON Superboy Contest. He joined Fuji TV in 2001 and has been a regular on several programs. Currently, his duties include "Mezamashi TV" and "Waratte Iitomo."