Producer Muneyuki Kii on choosing Tori Matsuzaka as lead role+ about 3rd installment

I knew he's a talented actor with Shiraishi's films. Even so Call Boy surprised me that he could even create a sense of mystery. I thought, 'He's a rare actor in Japan,'

「松坂桃李は人間的にイイやつ」大ヒット映画のプロデューサーに訊く、主演にふさわしい俳優（田辺ユウキ） - 個人 - Yahoo!ニュース

松坂桃李はどんなところが魅力的なのか。映画『孤狼の血』シリーズの紀伊宗之プロデューサーは、彼のことを「すごくイイやつ」と言いあらわす。松坂らの名前を挙げながら「映画の主演俳優」について話を訊いた。

https://news.yahoo.co.jp/byline/tanabeyuki/20211023-00264196

But for choosing the lead role of the series, no matter how popular he is, he has to be a strong human being. After all, he'll be carrying the work on his shoulders. In this respect, Tori Matsuzaka is a very nice guy. I work with him for a long time, and I always feel that way. 

No matter who he is talking to, he is always able to talk. He thinks deeply about what the work is trying to convey and delivers it. I have complete trust in him. 

For 3rd film of The Blood of Wolves, I'm now working on Shin Kamen Rider with Dir. Hideaki Anno and Shiraishi is working on Kamen Rider Black Sun. We're now rivals so we don't talk. We will discuss about it after our KR Showdown. 

Masaki Okada - この世界" (This world, without a story)

Masaki Okada mentioned about going to see Tori Matsuzaka's stage Call Boy in his interview for his upcoming stage "物語なき、この世界" (This world, without a story) working with the same director Daisuke Miura

crea.bunshun.jp/articles/-/314…

Excerpt below

岡田将生が語る“演じたい役”の共通点 「少し欠落している役に愛着が湧く」

現在放送中のドラマ『大豆田とわ子と三人の元夫』で3番目の元夫・中村慎森を演じ、その愛すべきキャラクターが話題を呼んでいる岡田将生さん。そんな岡田さんが演じたいと惹かれる役には、共通点があるそうで……。三浦大輔さんとタッグを組んだ、7月から始まる主演舞台への意気込みについてもたっぷりお話を伺いました。

https://crea.bunshun.jp/articles/-/31410?page=1

Q: Tori said he had "complicit relationship" with Dir. Miura which has similar nuance to what you described as "very deep relationship".

A: Yes, I guess so! I had the chance to see Call Boy, and at that time, my friend Tori showed an expression that he doesn't usually show. >> 

A: I thought it wasn't the "Tori Matsuzaka I usually see," but the "Tori Matsuzaka under Miura's direction". To me, he looked very beautiful. Tori also said that when he receives a good direction and does a good performance, he changes unexpectedly from his private life. 

A: Before covid, we often had dinner together, talking about work, performances etc. I really like him as an actor and as a friend. It was great to see the performance of him being gradually forced into a corner. 

A: I'm wondering if I could do it myself this time, but when I told Tori, "My next project's with Dir. Miura!", he said "Oh, Fighting!". 

Okada Masaki: I want to do this role with not too much preparation.

(T/N: He means that he trusts the director and wanna go far with his performance without being limited by entirely preparing ahead.) 

Actually, I like Dir. Miura lol.

He has a particular way of torturing Tori till he became what he wanted.

(But it only worked with Tori so far tho.)

In Call Boy crank up video, Tori looked like "now I am free from this hell" 🤣

Okada... good luck being tortured hehe 

Korou no Chi LEVEL2 - Tori Matsuzaka

The text on top right translates as:

"Whether he is playing the lead or supporting role, the moment 'he' appears on the screen, it feels like an electric shock. Tori Matsuzaka has once again taken on a role that surpasses his previous works."

That special quote on "彼" tho. 🤣 

Here starts the text below:

Tori said what he's most careful about is to bring the amount of heat from 1 while not relying too much on it. He seemed to have asked Dir. Shiraishi to wait for a while to shoot 2. 

Regarding that, he said he was scheduled to join BoW crew late (almost 10 days, Nijiro said). By the time he joined, Suzuki Ryohei was already on fire. So, he had to become Hioka instantly when he joined halfway. He realized once again that he can be a role thanks to many people. 

His schedule is like that becuz he was shooting Inochi no Teishaba. He finished Teishaba on Oct 2. Reported to have joined LEVEL2 on Oct 6. 

Article said Matsuzaka Tori's recent 3 years has been intense. Especially, The Journalist (2019) which is perceived as criticism of current political affairs. That the industry people are saying it would be buried without him. Asked why he appeared in it. 

Tori: I don't know if it's certainly zero risk or not. But it's worth it cuz I believe this film is much more valueable than that (zero risk). 

There's also a paragraph about his two spring dramas. (omitted) 

I think that my 30s are for me to take my time with each work. Actors who can act in various genres even as they age is addictive to me, so that's what I want to aim for. I have about 8 years left until my target age. I wonder what kind of flowers will bloom along the way. 

Left to translate the title, the one on the below right.

"一作1作を覆に未来への種まきを継統中"

"Planting seeds for the future with each new work"

***That's why his ending comment is flowers. 🌻🌼🌻🌼🌻 

Kenichi Matsuyama and Dir. Keisuke Yoshida - BLUEブルー (2021)

Q: I heard you took 2 years for boxing training.

MatsuKen: Rather than concentrating to train for a short period of time, I'd linger and watch people there. My role was also a trainer, so I wanna be a presence in gym.

Kuhaku - Arata Furuta and Dir. Keisuke Yoshida about Tori Matsuzaka

Furuta: He is a serious and sincere actor. I felt that he's hardworking and professional. He could do both pull and push in the performance. Because of that I was able to keep pushing.

cinemarche.net/interview/kuha…

【吉田恵輔監督/古田新太インタビュー】映画『空白』松坂桃李らとの撮影で荒ぶる魂の“赦し”という心の揺らぎを熱演

『空白』は2021年9月23日（木・祝）より公開中！ スーパーで店長に万引きを疑われ、追いかけられた女子中学生が、逃走中に車に轢かれて死んでしまう。少女の父親はせめて娘の無実を証明しようと、店長を激しく追及するうちに、その姿も言動も恐るべきモンスターと化していく……。 古田新太と松坂桃李が実写映画初共演を果たした『空白』は、現代の「罪」と「偽り」そして「赦し」を映し出すヒューマンサスペンスです。 …

https://cinemarche.net/interview/kuhaku-furutaarata-yoshidakeisuke/

Dir. Yoshida: Tori's acting is very realistic. He can play plain and unpolished roles altho he looks attractive. He doesn't overdo it as an actor, and can act naturally. He's almighty actor (in english). That's why I wanted to work with him. I cast him for many other reasons too. 

Is there a particular scene that stands out in your memory?

Furuta: The last scene with Tori. We were both physically and mentally exhausted, both as actors and as ourselves. 

Dir. Yoshida: That's just one-cut. I left that scene to the two of them. After all the shoots, I decided "I'll just take one-cut for last scene whatever comes out, I'll take as fate and put that to the film. During the actual shooting, I was staring at them and surprised. 

Dir. Yoshida: As the director, I wanted to keep cool, but I saw unexpected performances and was too emotional to say "cut". But, I was relieved to see the normally cool script supervisor crying beside me.

***Dir said the very last shot of Furuta-san is "after cut" reaction. 

Kuhaku - Arata Furuta and Tori Matsuzaka, Classy

 Impression on each other

Tori: He's a person who has established his own position and his own things. I don't think there is anyone who can match Furuta-san. I feel that he is unique. I've seen him on stage many times.

Tori: I first came to know Furuta-san in "Kisarazu Cat's Eye (2002)". I was still a student. Furuta-san's role left a strong impact on me, and I laughed every time. Since I started working here, I've gradually come to know that he's an amazing person. 

Furuta: I've known him since he was in "Samurai Sentai Shinkenger". At first I thought, "Tori Matsuzaka is going to play a bear? Aren't we wasting money?" but I enjoyed a lot working with Tori in Paddington. 

Furuta: I think Tori probably a simple guy. Some of the actors who came out from Sentai or Kamen Rider are troublesome.

Tori: Who are you talking about? (lol).

Furuta: I hoped Tori would approach me normally, and when we worked together, he did. I thought it was fortunate. 

Shinobu Terajima's Comment

When we were not acting and talking at a place like a tea house, Tori seemed to be very calm and didn't talk much about himself, we were the only ones who talked. He was listening with a smile the whole time. I thought he must be a good child. 

Thoughts on acting

Furuta: I don't like actors who try to do things on their own. So I just do what the director tells me to do, and then we can finish shooting quickly. I'm glad that Tori is also like that. 

Furuta I don't like actors who say, "Let me do it again. One more time!" Some directors say that they'd wait for something better to come out, but it never does. The first performance is the best. So, I put all my energy into it. 

Furuta: If you don't go all out from the very first scene, you'll never get that tension back again.

Tori: That's right. It's like full throttle.

Furuta: I am glad there's no one like that this time.

Tori: So, who are you referring to? Really~~~ (lol) 

What do you like about each other?

Tori: Furuta-san's voice. During Paddington, he recorded first so that we have a guide to record. Thanks to him, it's much easier for us. I really like his warm voice.

古田新太×松坂桃李インタビュー｜お互いの好きなところは？

2回にわたってお届けしている古田新太さんと松坂桃李さんのインタビュー。後編では9月23日に公開される話題の映画『空白』で実写映画初共演となるお二人に、お互いの好きなところを３つあげてもらいました。 前回の記事古田新太×松坂桃李インタビュー｜壮絶な内容の作品、現場での2人は…？ 「桃李の好きな

https://classy-online.jp/lifestyle/168709/

Tori: Also, his communications skills. He can communicate with all people from various occupations from different places. 

Tori: Third, he's very observant. Just listening to our interview today, his powers of observation of people are amazing. He spewed this venom (lol), but I realized that he observes so many people and has a big picture view. I thought it was cool. 

Furuta: About Tori, I like voice, face and his work attitude. He is a good voice actor and his face his beautiful.

Tori: Thank you! (hehehe) 

What about work attitude?

Furuta: Tori, be honest, how many times did you do NG?

Tori: Almost never.

Furuta: See, I don't like those who do NG.

Tori: lololololol 

Furuta: I also don't like those who say "no" to director's requests. I think the coolest actors are those who can say "yes" to everything.

Tori: Yes, they are the strongest actors.

Furuta: Tori is directors' "yes-man".

Tori: hahahahaa 

Kuhaku - Tori Matsuzaka, So-en/ BANGER!

Q: Beside your expression ability, your physical appearance here was also impressive. You seems to be having contractures steadily, your eyes are faint, and yet you seem to be staring at the same point. (T/N: Pls watch trailer.)

A: Yes, I did. In the scene where I confronted Furuta-san, I wanted to express the feeling of being unable to look or move, so I ran simulations before filming the scene. 

Q: Your physical approach in Call Boy was also famous. Is this a style that you've been pursuing for a long time?

(T/N: Apparently in Japan, acting is termed as psychological and physical approach. I think? Why am I searching these in Japanese?)

【演技のやり方】 「内面的アプローチ」と「身体的アプローチ」 前編｜Asakawa｜note

前回はこちら↓ 今回は実践編③ということで、 「内面的アプローチ」と「身体的アプローチ」 をテーマに書いていきます。 この記事を読む事によってご自身に合った演技法とは何なのか？が掴めるきっかけになると思いますので是非、最後まで目を通してほしいと思います。 この二つの違いとは？ さて、この二つの言葉を聞いてもしかしたらなんとなくこういう意味なのかな？と想像でき…

https://note.com/asakawa13/n/n8ff0fc3fc254

A: No, it's my first time to use it in Kuhaku. I've always taken physical approach, but mainly for the way of thinking. He may suffer contractures or unable to make eye contact. But I can't do so easily. I don't think I've ever seen such a situation before. So, I did simulations. 

Also, Furuta-san brought out a lot in me on the set. Strong words are written in the script, but I felt again that hearing them and reading them are completely different. When Furuta-san speaks, I also have "reaction" to what he says, and I feel that he pulled me along. 

Q: This time with Dir. Yoshida is wonderful. What's your next? I want you to collaborate with Dir. Kiyoshi Kurosawa.

A: Dir. Kurosawa is one of the directors I'd like to work with. There are many directors I haven't been able to work with yet. I'm hoping I can do so one by one. More than that, there are a lot of up and coming directors of our generation, right?

Q: Yes, like you worked with Dir. Michihito Fujii. 

Tori: Yes, I want to make films with my generation in the future. Dir. Kazuya Shiraishi did respect training to create a good environment for new talents. I also want to bring in more and more fresh air and make Japanese entertainment more colorful thru various approaches and routes. 

As I am using my own body to express, it is important to understand the "container" that my character is in. So, I would check what kind of reaction my body would have or what kind of voice tone it would produce to use it in a project.

Kuhaku/ Intolerance - Dir. Keisuke Yoshida

Q: First of all, I want to say it's amazing. It made me feel glad to be alive and gave me light.

A: Thank you very much.

古田新太、松坂桃李、引き算のできる演技の巧い俳優だけで作った『空白』／吉田恵輔監督インタビュー

『新聞記者』『MOTHERマザー』のスターサンズ製作、『ヒメアノ～ル』『愛しのアイリーン』の吉田恵輔監督・脚本で贈る、心に深く突き刺さる感動作『空白』。撮影がサクサクと進んだという名キャストたちについてや、『空白』というタイトルに込められた

https://eiga-board.com/posts/10901

Q: The main characters were all impressive and stuck in my mind. What did you pay special attention to in terms of casting and direction this time?

A: The main cast is made up of famous people, but I wanted to work with only people who are really good at acting for this film. It may sound bad to put it this way, but I didn't want to cast people just because they were popular. Of course, Furuta-san and Tori are very good actors and very popular. Basically, I cast them based on their skill in acting and whether they fit the role or not. 

Thanks to that, I was able to watch the whole thing without directing. The shooting progressed so quickly that I went to onsen in between takes (lol). I went 3-4 times. I even took a nap once. I guess that's what happens when you choose a good actor. Moreover, if you have people who are good at acting, it's okay to include idols, or people who don't have much experience. If they are surrounded by good actors, they won't act strange. They won't overact and become natural. 

A: When someone who is not very good plays the leading role, everyone follows suit and overacts. This time we had only good performers, so it went very well.  I asked people at workshop to join this time. The one who played Natsumi had no experience in acting, but even Terajima-san asked me, "Where did you find her?" 

About Arata Furuta

Yoshida: I had a line to convey the theme of the film. I wrote the script with a sense of leaving an impression on the audience by saying it memorably. However, Furuta-san didn't say the line in a memorable way, but rather said it quite normally. By then, I realized that people don't really say things that seriously. I learned to trust the audience ability to understand the message without saying "Sir, here I'm saying an important line right now!" 

Q: Just when Furuta-san was standing, he looked so intimidating that I feel numb.

A: I was also impressed. The paramedic was watching the scene on monitor behind me, and he said, "Wow! how he could do it like this?" I think you can't become like that by working hard. It's not about acting skills, but about being the "chosen one". I think he knows how he should look in this film, so he knows how to keep it from looking fake. 

About Tori Matsuzaka

I think Tori thought of various ways to see things in his own way. He can portray the characters in a very grounded way. I don't like people who get overwhelmed. This time, too, he is very skillful in just being normal, without expressing anything excessive. 

He's a top actor in Japan and has won awards, but on the set, he's like a 20-y/o rookie who says, "This is my first time in a movie". He's so humble and soft-mannered. He always says everyone "Onegaishimasu!"

So, in a good way, he doesn't feel like a leading man at all. That's why neither the staff nor I are nervous around Tori at all. But when the camera rolls and he starts acting, he suddenly changes. I feel so every time. 

Furuta-san and Terajima-san's roles are like monsters. You'd think Tori doesn't look like someone who can compete with them but he can face them perfectly when the camera rolls. People say he worked hard to get to this position, it's true but I think he's actually talented. 

Meaning of Kuhaku (Blank)

It has various meanings, but the most important is what is going through Soeda's mind after losing his daughter. Before "Thicker Than Water (2018)," my partner who I wrote the script with, my only friend and business partner passed away suddenly. I think writers sometimes let out what's inside of them when they write, but when I was making "Thicker Than Water", I felt bound by something. When I was thinking about what that was, I realized that I hadn't come to terms with it. 

"What does it mean to come to terms with something, and is it even possible to come to terms with something?"

That's what I decided to write about in this story.