Wonder why Takashi Shimizu isn't directing the tenth anniversary installments of his Ju-On franchise himself? The answer is simple enough: because he's making Japan's first 3-D horror film instead!
HORROR MASTER TAKASHI SHIMIZU COMMENCES THE PRODUCTION OF JAPAN'S FIRST LIVE ACTION DIGITAL 3D FEATURE IN THE WORLD'S LONGEST HORROR HOUSE WALK-THROUGH Tokyo, June 3rd 2009 Japanese production and distribution company Asmik Ace Entertainement today announced the commencement of the principal photography of "THE SHOCK LABYRINTH," a live action digital 3D film directed by Takashi Shimizu ("JUON," "JUON 2," "THE GRUDGE," "THE GRUDGE 2"). The horror project is aiming at an October 2009 release in Japan. Asmik Ace handles both local and international distribution of the Ogura Jimusyho production. The project marks Japan's first ever live action digital 3D feature film as well as Shimizu's long-awaited return to the horror feature after 3 years. Produced by Ogura Jimusyo's Satoru Ogura ("PRINCESS RACOON" "KAMIKAZE GIRLS"), Asmik Ace's Masayuki Tanishima ("TETSUO PROJECT") and Dai Miyazaki ("ICHI THE KILLER"), the project features Japan's upcoming young actors including Yuya Yagira (Best Actor, Cannes 2004 for "NOBODY KNOWS"), Misako Renbutsu ("THE INUGAMIS"), Ryo Katsuji ("HANA" "THE SHONEM MERIKENSACK"), Ai Maeda ("BATTLE ROYALE" "DEATH NOTE: THE LAST NAME") and Erina Mizuno, as well as the celebrated character actor Suzuki Matsuo ("ICHI THE KILLER" "IN THE POOL"). The story is an original written by Daisuke Hosaka, but the concept of the film is inspired by and based on "Senritsu Meikyu" (literally translated as "The Shock Labyrinth), an hugely popular horror attraction in the Japanese amusement park Fuji-Q High Land located near Mt. Fuji. "Senritsu Meikyu" has set the Guinness world record for "The Longest Horror House Walk-Through." The film started its shooting earlier this week, and most of the film is scheduled to be shot on location in this horror house during the park's off hours. On making the announcement, Tanishima commented: "I am extremely thrilled to be working with the horror giant Shimizu on his first 3D project. This project is inspired by an amusement park attraction, like 'THE PIRATES OF CARIBBEAN' and 'HAUNTED MANSION,' but it is not only that. We are literally shooting the film inside the actual horror house, and it will be delivered earlier than James Cameron's 'AVATAR.' This is not going to be a slasher, or a typical J-horror. We are making a 'shocker.'"SYNOPSIS: One rainy night, Yuki, a girl missing for 10 years, suddenly comes back. Her friends Ken, Hajime, Rin, and sister Miyu feel a bit of confusion with the sudden return, but they welcome her. Later that night, Yuki suddenly faints and they try to take her to a hospital. But the hospital they arrive turns out to be a decayed and very mystical place... like a labyrinth.
ABOUT THE DIRECTOR: Born in 1972. Shimizu started his career as a direct-to-video feature director. Soon after his video titles "JUON" (1999) and "JUON 2" (1999) became word-of-mouth hits, he remade those for the big screen as "JUON" (2002) and "JUON 2" (2003). The theatrical features were highly acclaimed internationally, and he got invited to the United States and directed the US versions: "THE GRUDGE" (2004) and " THE GRUDGE 2" (2006), both of which became #1, and grossed USD100M and USD39M in the United States respectively. "THE SHOCK LABYRINTH" is his first feature in 3 years and the first 3D project in his career.