The hit novel "Golden Slumbers" by Kotaro Isaka ("Shinigami no Seido," "Fish Story") is his latest work to get a movie adaptation. Directing it is Yoshihiro Nakamura, who handled the recent "Team Batista no Eikou" films, as well as the previous Isaka adaptation "Ahiru to Kamo no Coin Locker."

Masato Sakai stars as a man set up to take the fall after the Prime Minister is assassinated. As a result, he is on the run from the authorities, but fortunately his attempt to escape is aided by his ex-lover, played by Yuko Takeuchi. The pair previously acted together in "General Rouge no Gaisen," the second "Team Batista" film that opened in theaters last month.

The original novel, which takes its name from a Beatles song, has won several awards, including last year's Honya Taisho. With over 340,000 copies sold so far, the success of the book attracted more than 30 companies interested in obtaining the movie rights.

Shooting is scheduled to start early next month. The completed film is expected to open in 2010.