SIX MORE ACTRESSES JOIN THE CAST of HIKARU GENJI

Today it has been announced that the actresses Maki Yoko (27), Tanaka Rena (30), Tabe Mikako (21), Ashina Sei (26), Renbutsu Misako (19) and Muroi Shigeru (51) have been added to the cast of "Genji Monogatari" starring actor Ikuta Toma (26).

"Genji Monogatari," directed by Tsuruhashi Yasuo, retells one of the most popular Japanese stories of all times, also known as "The Tale of Genji." It will weave together the fictional world of Genji and the world of noblewoman Murasaki Shikibu who wrote the masterpiece.

Maki will play a double role, Hikaru Genji's (Ikuta) dead mother Lady Kiritsubo and his step mother Lady Fujitsubo that greatly resembles the former. Muroi will play the wife of an emperor that becomes an enemy of Kiritsubo. Tanaka and Ashina will disguise themselves as lovers of Genji, however, Tanaka's character of Lady Rokujo is already dead and only exists in the form of a very jealous and vengeful spirit that tries to kill all his other women. Tabe gets to play his actual wife Lady Aoi while Renbutsu will play a discussion partner of Murasaki.

Earlier it had already been announced that Nakatani Miki (34) would play the role of Murasaki while Higashiyama Noriyuki (44) will take on the role of the political figure Fujiwara no Michinaga. Kubozuka Yosuke (31) has also been cast as the onmyoji Abe no Seimei.

"Genji Monogatari" is a very intriguing tale and with so many great actresses it's definitely going to be fun to watch. Starring actor Ikuta seems to enjoy being surrounded by so many women as well. "I think we will be able to make a Genji Monogatari very true to the original with such a group of gorgeous actresses. It's a rare experience to be able to work together with so many actresses for a single movie. I'm going to be very nervous from now on, but it also will be a lot of fun," he said.

The filming already began 3 weeks ago and as previously announced, the film will be released some time in 2011.

source: kawaii-joyuu