HIDARI, a stop-motion anime film with a samurai theme, has accomplished what many believed to be impossible - to cast Keanu Reeves as the voice of Jingoro Hidari in a hand-carved, wooden puppet, three-and-a-half-minute animated film. The announcement was made on May 17th during the Annecy Animation Showcase at the 79th Cannes International Film Festival by director Masashi Kawamura and producer Noriko Matsumoto, who both announced that Keanu Reeves was the first name on their personal wish lists and that there would be no more casting announcements until they made their debut together on stage at Annecy.Fighting sequence in the film - Source: Dwarf StudioCannes has made the casting announcement, completing a major milestone since the pilot's release in 2023. Director Masashi Kawamura shared that he referenced John Wick while creating the pilot and that Keanu Reeves was his original choice for the film. Even now, he says the news is surreal.Having starred as Neo in The Matrix and the title assassin in the John Wick franchise, Reeves steps into a leading role for a Japanese production. The character Jingoro falls naturally into line with the brooding, revenge-driven characters that have filled most of Reeves' career.The Story Behind the Character in HIDARIThe art concept - Source: Dwarf StudioHIDARI is a stop-motion samurai film based on the true life of real Edo period sculptor Jingoro Hidari. Hidari was betrayed in the rebuilding of Edo Castle and lost the man who was like a father to him, the woman he loved, and his right arm. Hidari channeled his grief into vengeance, arming himself with lethal mechanical arms and his exceptional skills as a carpenter.Combining steampunk aesthetics, period-accurate environments, and a fast-paced political story, the film culminates in a revenge story against the Tokugawa Shogunate and a weaponized Edo Castle threatening the entire city. It is an adventurous and complex tale that Reeves characterized as "truly extraordinary."A Unique Visual LanguageThe stop-motion sequence - Source: Dwarf StudioThe craftsmanship makes it a stop-motion Samurai film like no other. The lead character and each puppet were created with a high level of precision by hand-carving into wood, then animated on a frame-by-frame basis, demonstrating the quality of the sculptor involved. The project is being produced by Whatever Co., dwarf studios, and TECARAT with an exceptionally high level of creative intent from those involved.Producer Noriko Matsumoto has worked previously with dwarf studios as a global streaming partner on projects like Netflix’s Rilakkuma series, which is evidence that she intends for the film to reach audiences around the world.Keanu Reeves' remark,“I’m thrilled by the vision behind HIDARI. From the proof of concept to the developed script, the team has created something truly extraordinary. "Director Kawamura explained that Reeves' role involves more than providing a voice. He's helping to create and develop this universe and, therefore, creating more than just a voice actor role, which is adding a dimension of creativity to the film by pushing the project further than simply being an average voice actor to creating an experience.Looking AheadThe feature-length film is estimated to run approximately 90 minutes and is currently targeting a 2029 completion. The project is still seeking financiers, distributors, and co-production partners as it moves into full production.With Keanu Reeves now attached, the stop-motion samurai film HIDARI has all the ingredients to become one of the most anticipated animated features of the decade. It is a project where Japanese legend meets Hollywood presence — and the result promises to be unlike anything seen before.