First Look Image Of Bill Nighy In Ikiru Remake Living

It’s not every day and Akira Kurosawa film gets remade, especially one that doesn’t include Samurais. Back in December Lionsgate Films picked up the UK rights and today we learn the English language remake of Ikiru, Living has started Principal photography in the UK,

The film is being directed by South African filmmaker Oliver Hermanus’s (Moffie) with Stephen Woolley and Elizabeth Karlsen Number 9 Films producing the film.

Joining the cast are Alex Sharp (The Trial of the Chicago Seven) and Tom Burke (Mank, The Souvenir), who will be working alongside Bill Nighy and Aimee Lou Wood.

Today we get a first look image from the film featuring Bill Nighy...

Set in London 1952, Living follows Williams (Nighy), a veteran civil servant buried in paperwork as the city rebuilds after WWII. A life-threatening medical diagnosis sends him to the coast with a briefcase of bills and emptied savings account, vowing to make his final days meaningful, only to realize he doesn’t know how. After an enigmatic stranger (Burke) takes him out on the town, Williams becomes intrigued by a young co-worker (Wood) who seems to possess the vitality that has previously evaded him. With the help of an optimistic new colleague (Sharp), Williams turns his efforts to bringing happiness to his community in a surprising way.

Nobel Prize-winner Kazuo Ishiguro (Remains of the Day, Never Let Me Go, Klara and the Sun) adapts from the 1952 Japanese classic Ikiru with Ko Kurosawa of Kurosawa Productions executive producing and Toho – who distributed the original – buying the rights for Japan.

“Adding Tom and Alex to our already distinguished cast is a great bonus for us all. They are both amazing actors and so perfectly right for the characters of Peter and Sutherland, two very crucial roles in our story. In addition, in County Hall Arts, we have partners who are as passionate and committed to telling the story of Living as we are as filmmakers. They are more than just financing partners, they appreciate the original spirit that sparked Kurosawa’s Ikiru and formed the basis of Ishiguro’s brilliant adaptation.” said producers Stephen Woolley & Elizabeth Karlsen.

The film has been developed with support from Film4 and Ingenious, with financing from Film4, County Hall Arts and Lipsync. Film4 retain UK free TV broadcast rights.

Rocket Science are handling international sales, including UK distribution rights to Lionsgate, and Australian distribution rights to Transmission.