Akira Kurosawa’s “The Mask of the Black Death” To Be Filmed
If you’re a film buff, you probably agree that one of the greatest filmmakers who ever lived was Akira Kurosawa.
Like many of the greats he died while there were still plans for other films he was to make. Typically, what happens in these sorts of cases is… nothing. They just become trivia question answers for film fans. Well this bit of news is sure to get them excited, it’s getting made! It was announced by the Chinese studio Huayi Brothers in association with CKF Pictures. The screenplay is called “The Mask of the Black Death” and based off of Edgar Allen Poe’s “The Masque of the Red Death.” It has been reported that the story has moved to Russia in the 20th century.
Previously filmed by Roger Corman with Vincent Price.
If this sounds unusual to you, remember that Kurosawa made 3 films based on the works of William Shakespeare. This includes his classic, “Throne of Blood.” Akira Kurosawa is best known for directing such classics as “Seven Samurai” (later remade as “The Magnificent Seven”), “Yojimbo” (later remade as “A Fistful of Dollars”), “The Hidden Fortress” (later inspired key plot points in “Star Wars”) and my personal favorite “Rashomon.” Those are just a FEW examples of the classics Kurosawa made. He is so loved by film buffs there is undoubtedly someone reading this that is shocked and angered that I didn’t mention a particular classic that they think can’t be forgotten when a discussion of Kurosawa’s work occurs. One thing to put a bit of a damper on all of this is the fact is that they of course haven’t somehow reanimated the corpse of Akira Kurosawa so he can personally direct this film.
No details yet about whom will actually direct the film or when exactly it’ll come out in 2020. What is known is that film buffs will be salivating over it. Assuming they aren’t already just from the idea. Myself included in that last statement. I just don’t envy whoever they pick as Kurosawa is one tough act to follow.
This story was first reported by Nerdist.com
