With Jones joined by Matthew Fox in the lead, and Eriko Hatsune (Norwegian Wood) as Fox’s love interest, the project definitely has a lot of potential.
“Starring Matthew Fox (World War Z, I, Alex Cross, Lost) and Tommy Lee Jones (Lincoln, Men in Black 3), EMPEROR, inspired by true events, is an epic story of love and understanding set amidst the tensions and uncertainties of the days immediately following the Japanese surrender at the end of World War II. On the staff of General Douglas MacArthur (Jones), the de facto ruler of Japan as Supreme Commander of the occupying forces, a leading Japanese expert, General Bonner Fellers (Fox) is charged with reaching a decision of historical importance: should Emperor Hirohito be tried and hanged as a war criminal? From director Peter Webber (Girl with a Pearl Earring), EMPEROR is produced by Yoko Narahashi (The Last Samurai), Gary Foster (Ghost Rider, Daredevil, The Soloist), Eugene Nomura (Tajomaru, Surely Some Day) and Russ Krasnoff (The Soloist).”
According to Webber, these won’t be the final posters we’ll be getting in theatres and on billboards and buses; they’ve just been made to help sell the film at the festival.
Keep your fingers crossed for it picking up a solid offer at Cannes that includes a UK release alongside the North American distribution. More as we get it. For now, the first sales posters for your viewing pleasure, which you can click to enlarge.