Specifically, it was reported by Variety that Carlos López Estrada is now set to direct the upcoming live-action film version of Shinkai’s hit anime movie that was released back in 2016. RELATED: Makoto Shinkai’s Best Movies, Ranked
Your Name – The Film that Catapulted Makoto Shinkai to International Fame
Makoto Shinkai is one of the most popular and well-regarded contemporary anime film directors. He first gained acclaim for his second feature film entitled 5 Centimeters per Second. His subsequent movies were also praised by critics and anime fans alike, though Shinkai gained worldwide renown when his feature-length anime film entitled Your Name was released. The film was first released in Japanese cinemas in August 2016, and it opened in other countries later in the year. Its story follows a high school boy in Tokyo named Taki and a high school girl in the countryside named Mitsuha as they inexplicably swap bodies after Mitsuha wishes that she was a boy in Tokyo in her next life. Soon, the two find a way to communicate with each other as they switch bodies on some mornings. The film received rave reviews from critics, and it was a blockbuster hit. It even became the second highest-grossing movie in Japan for a time, but it is currently third as the top spot was taken by Demon Slayer: Mugen Train.
Disney Director to Take the Reins of Your Name Hollywood Live-Action Movie
Given its success, the film drew interest from Hollywood. Specifically, producer J.J. Abrams and screenwriter Eric Heisserer revealed that they were working on a live-action adaptation that will be released by Bad Robot Productions (J.J. Abrams’ production company). Initially, 500 Days of Summer director Marc Webb was set to direct the film, but in 2020, it was reported that Minari director Lee Isaac Chung will replace him. In July 2021, Chung stepped down from the film due to scheduling issues, and no news has been released until Variety’s recent report. According to the report, the new director, Carlos López Estrada, is also rewriting the current script for the film. Production will still be handled by J.J. Abrams alongside Hannah Minghella and Jon Cohen. The anime’s producer, Genki Kawamura, is also part of the production team. In case you’re unfamiliar, Estrada is the director of Disney’s animated movie, Raya and the Last Dragon. He also worked on other Disney films such as Frozen 2 and Encanto. Get the latest news and trends direct to your feed by following us on Twitter @epicstreamanime or on Facebook. READ NEXT: Makoto Shinkai Watch Order: How to Watch All of Shinkai’s Films
