While everybody gets up and arms over here whenever an anime/manga classic is given the live-action treatment (like with Scarlett Johansson's Ghost in the Shell), it's a regular occurrence in Japan and they seem to have a better handle on them. Filming recently wrapped on an adaptation of Hiromu Arikawa's Fullmetal Alchemist, which became huge over here thanks to the Cartoon Network. And they haven't wasted any time dropping a quick 30-second teaser that shows off some of the action.
Directed by Fumihiko Sori, the story stays mostly true to the original, following alchemist brothers on the hunt for the Philosopher's Stone to restore their bodies after an attempt to revive their dead mother goes wrong. Here's what Sori said earlier year about his approach to the film...
"I want to depict something that follows the original work as much as possible. The cast is entirely Japanese, but the setting is Europe. However, their race and nationality isn’t expressed in a specific form.”
The footage focuses largely on Edward Elric (Ryōsuke Yamada), and fans will dig the look of the transmutation circles he uses for power. Plus there's a touching moment Edward shares with his younger brother, Alphonse, whose soul is attached to a suit of armor.
Fullmetal Alchemist hits Japan next year, and we'll probably get a limited run here at some point.
