While he remains a considerable star in his native Japan, Hiroyuki Sanada's career in America has kept him quite busy in a number of fan-favorite movies. He's had featured roles in Danny Boyle's Sunshine, The Last Samurai opposite Tom Cruise, 47 Ronin, Minions, Speed Racer, and of course, The Wolverine in which he battled Hugh Jackman. Now he's coming back to the Marvel Universe as part of Avengers: Infinity War, according to a report by Deadline.
Although there may be some confusion. The news comes as part of a larger story about Sanada's joining Westworld season two as the samurai, Musashi. That character was first revealed in the season one finale and then as an exclusive Funko Pop! Vinyl figure at San Diego Comic-Con. Looks like we'll be seeing a lot more of Musashi as the plot switches gears from its Western setting.
Deadline goes on to add that Sanada "will next shoot a supporting role on the upcoming Marvel film Avengers: Infinity", which we assume must be Avengers: Infinity War. However, shooting on that has already wrapped and moved on to the untitled Avengers 4, so that's probably what they are actually referring to since there are scenes that will take place in Japan. Hopefully he's playing someone significant and just some lab tech or Yakuza boss or something. There are rumors the Yakuza will play a role and that Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) will be involved with them somehow. Another rumor has Jeremy Renner's Hawkeye taking on his Ronin ninja persona, which would lend credence to the Japanese setting.
Avengers: Infinity War opens May 4th 2018 followed by Avengers 4 a year later.
