Talento Yoshichi Shimada has announced that he is making his debut as a director and screenwriter. His first project is a film version of his best-selling novel series "Saga no Gabai-baachan," which was inspired by his own childhood experiences growing up with his grandmother in the Saga Prefecture.

The stories were previously turned into a film in 2006 (directed by Hitoshi Kurauchi) and a drama special in 2007. Fans had asked for another movie, and Shimada decided to indulge them with his own version, appropriately titled "Shimada Yoshichi no Saga no Gabai-baachan."

Yoshiko Kayama will play the role of the grandmother, while Reiko Takashima plays the mother. 10-year-old Yuki Senoue has been cast as the young Akihiro (Shimada's real name). Shinsuke Shimada and Hideo Higashikokubaru have also been given roles. Filming starts in August, targeting a 2009 release.