Keanu Reeves (The Day the Earth Stood Still) will star in 47 Ronin, an epic period film for Universal Pictures based on the true tale of a band of samurai swordsmen who avenged the death of their master in 18th century Japan.
Chris Morgan, who co-wrote Wanted and penned the upcoming Fast & Furious for Universal, is writing the script. Scott Stuber will produce through his Stuber Productions.
Reeves will play one of the swordsmen; the group and their master are revered in Japan for their revenge attack on Dec. 14, 1702.
The film will tell a stylized version of the story, mixing fantasy elements of the sort seen in “The Lord of the Rings” films, with gritty battle scenes akin to those in films such as Gladiator.
