Studio Ghibli’s 2001 Oscar-winning animated film Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi, better known internationally as ‘Spirited Away,’ will be getting its first ever remake as a stage production since its release almost 20 years ago. Who else feels old?
The adaption will be produced by Japanese entertainment powerhouse Toho, and will be spearheaded by the Tony and Olivier-award winning director of Les Misérables John Caird as both its director and writer. The honorary associate director of the Royal Shakespeare Company dedicated over 1,000 hours developing the adaptation and “looks forward to spending many thousands more.”
Caird even got the famed studio’s official seal of approval for the adaptation, according to Toshio Suzuki, producer of the film. “We, Hayao and I, both liked John’s vision; he is a person we can trust,” said Suzuki. “I am looking forward to seeing Chihiro grow on stage under his direction.”
The stage production is set to premiere sometime around February 2022 at Tokyo’s Imperial Theater, before making its rounds throughout Japan and maybe in other parts of Asia and Europe, but no official has been made regarding this possibility just yet.
Spirited Away follows 10-year-old Chihiro who finds herself transported to the spirit world in search of a way to save her parents who, due to their greed, have been turned into pigs by the wicked sorcerous who rules over the world. The titular character has been double-casted by popstar-turned-actress Kanna Hashimoto and actress Mone Kamishiraishi, best known for voicing the female protagonist in Your Name.
The cult-classic gained critically acclaim in Japan and internationally upon its release, going on to become the highest-grossing movie ever in its homeland for the past 19 years, up until recently, with the title now going to Demon Slayer The Movie: Mugen Train.