In May 2006, Bill Kong, producer of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Hero, announced that he was producing a live-action film adaptation of Blood: The Last Vampire, directed by Ronny Yu, and, like the source anime film, primarily filmed in English rather than Japanese. The film's setting, however, will be shifted to 1948 at a United States Army camp in Tokyo, shortly after the conclusion of World War II during the American occupation of Japan. Early reports indicate that the film's plot will feature Saya as a 400-year-old half human-half vampire who hunts full blooded vampires, both to rid the world of them and as they are her only source for food. Normally a loner, Saya forms a friendship with a young girl while preparing to battle Onigen, the highest ranking of the vampires.
Kong and Yu originally planned to finance the project themselves, but in November 2006, Production I.G officially consented to the film and began offering financial support. Through ties to Manga Entertainment, French Pathe became the film's production company. Yu was retained as its producer, but Chris Nahon took over as the film's director. Korean actress Jun Ji-Hyun, who changed her name to Gianna Jun for the release, is portraying Saya. Rather than being paid a straight license, Production I.G will receive a percentage of all revenues generated by the film.
Originally slated to be released worldwide in spring 2008, the film is now scheduled to premiere in Japan on May 29, 2009 where it will be titled Last Blood. Releases will follow in the United Kingdom and France in June. Though Universal Pictures reportedly has acquired the rights for a American release, there is currently no confirmed release date set.
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