Earlier this year, Hideaki Anno's Shin Ultraman was delayed indefinitely due to the COVID-19 pandemic impacting its production schedule but a new teaser trailer reveals the movie's new premiere date.
The trailer showcases the fusion of the original television series's aesthetics and the Evangelion creator's iconic style, in addition to confirming that the movie will debut next year. Anno wrote Shin Ultraman's screenplay, while the movie will be directed by Shinji Higuchi (Dragon Pilot: Hisone and Masotan, Shin Godzilla) with Shirō Sagisu (Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic, Berserk: The Golden Age Arc) serving as the film's composer.
Produced by Toho Pictures (My Hero Academia: World Heroes' Mission, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba the Movie: Mugen Train) and Cine Bazar, Shin Ultraman stars Takumi Saitoh, who previously appeared in the live-action adaptations of Ace Attorney and Space Battleship Yamato, as "the guy who becomes Ultraman." Other confirmed members of the film's cast include Masami Nagasawa (Bleach, Kingdom), Hidetoshi Nishijima (Drive My Car), Daiki Arioka (Code Blue 3), Akari Hayami (Gintama), Koji Yamamoto (Kamen Rider Reiwa: The First Generation) and Tetsushi Tanaka (The Tokyo Night Sky Is Always the Densest Shade of Blue), but their specific roles have not been revealed.
Shin Ultraman is based on Ultraman, the science fiction television series by Eiji Tsuburaya, which ran for 39 episodes from July 1996 to April 1967. Currently, there is little information about what story beats or plot elements from the original will be adapted to the big screen.
Anno's film is just one of a number of high profile movies that have already confirmed a 2022 premiere date. The sequel to this year's Sword Art Online the Movie - Progressive - Aria of a Starless Night and the compilation film Fruits Basket -Prelude- are both set to debut in 2022. Furthermore, Studio Ponoc is adapting A. F. Harrold's beloved children's novel The Imaginary for the big screen.
Anno has stated that he would like to continue working on live-action movies for the foreseeable future, but he hinted that there may be more Evangelion made without him sometime in the future. While Evangelion 3.0+1.01: Thrice Upon A Time, the grand final of the Rebuild of Evangelion series, premiered earlier this year, the filmmaker teased a continuation of the story in an interview, where he discussed gaps in the Evangelion timeline.
Shin Ultraman is scheduled to hit theaters in Japan on May 13, 2022. It is currently unknown if or when the movie will receive an international release.
Source: YouTube, via SoraNews24
