Shohei Miura recruited for next “Umizaru”

The next “Umizaru” movie has been officially scheduled for 2010, and the primary cast has been unveiled. Hideaki Ito, who has starred in the two “Umizaru” movies and the television series, will this time be teaming up with young actor Shohei Miura (21), who barely made his acting debut last year.

The “Umizaru” franchise, which revolves around a Japan Coast Guard rescue diver named Daisuke Senzaki (Ito), started in 2004 as a feature-length film. It continued with a drama series on Fuji TV in 2005, followed by a hugely popular movie sequel in 2006. This third film was first announced last summer.

The new film will start with Daisuke and his love interest Kanna (played by Ai Kato) getting married and having their first child. Daisuke is then sent on a rescue mission after an accident occurs in a multinational undersea oil project. Miura plays another diver on the same mission.

Miura, who was appointed to the role in May, has been undergoing special training for a month. He is also expected to go through boot camp for the Japan Coast Guard before filming starts next month.

Besides Ito and Kato, the returning cast members include Ryuta Sato. An exact release date for the film has not yet been decided.

Source:
Sankei Sports