An Emmy-nominated Shogun star joins Cynthia Erivo’s new action thriller, Karoshi. Renowned for her performances on both the stage and screen, Erivo made her Broadway debut in the revival of The Color Purple, which won her the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical. Erivo expanded to movies in 2018 with the crime thrillers Widows and Bad Times at the El Royale, but it was for playing the тιтular character in 2019’s Harriet and Elphaba in Wicked that both earned her Academy Award nominations for Best Actress.

Now, Cynthia Erivo’s new action thriller has added another star. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Shogun star Takehiro Hira has joined the cast of Karoshi. Teo Yoo, known for his breakout role in A24’s romantic drama Past Lives, is leading the cast of the film, which also features 1923 star Isabel May. Production is set to begin in June.

What Takehiro Hira’s Casting Means For Karoshi

Has The Film Found Its Villain?

Plot and character details remain under wraps for Karoshi, though it’s being described as a “corporate thriller with a samurai twist.” It’s set in an alternate Japanese-inspired version of New York City and features a revenge story. The тιтle, “karoshi,” is a Japanese term that refers to sudden death caused by extreme overwork. Takehiro Hira earned an Emmy nomination for his performance as Japanese warlord Ishido Kazunari, one of the main antagonists in Shogun, so it’s fitting that sources say Hira is playing a villain in Karoshi.

Takashi Doscher, who was behind the 2019 post-apocalyptic romance movie Only, wrote the script and is directing Karoshi. The unique action thriller also boasts an impressive lineup of producers. Chad Stahelski, the director of the John Wick franchise, is producing alongside Alex Young and Jason Spitz under their 87Eleven Entertainment banner, which has a first-look deal with Lionsgate.

Our Take On Karoshi

Could It Be The Next John Wick?

With its star-studded cast and Chad Stahelski’s involvement as producer, Karoshi has all the makings of the next standout action thriller. Stahelski is known for shaping John Wick into a global phenomenon, and will bring his unmatched expertise to the unique, samurai-inspired story. With captivating performances from a talented ensemble and exciting samurai-style action, Karoshi has the potential to launch a new action franchise that could captivate audiences for years.

Karoshi is also anticipated as one of Cynthia Erivo’s next roles after her Oscar-nominated performance in Wicked, with part two, Wicked: For Good, releasing this November. However, Karoshi will feature a very different type of performance from Erivo, allowing her to showcase her physicality in a samurai-inspired storyline and proving her unmatched versatility once again.

Source: THR