Anyone unfortunate enough to have not sampled the Death Note franchise in some form really should consider it. Having been presented as a manga, anime, two live-action films and a spin-off, as well as an ongoing live-action TV series in Japan, the story is one of great simplicity that results in complexity.
Now Warner Bros. Japan have surprised all by offering a teaser trailer for a sequel to the two 2006 films Death Note and Death Note: The Last Name. The story of Death Note revolves around Light Yagami, a high school student who discovers a notebook that allows him to kill anybody he wishes by simply writing their name in the book. Deciding to rid the world of evil, he is soon pursued by a diligent but equally young detective, the mysterious L.
The series is praised for its complex look at good and evil, while also mixing lots of bizarre twists and turns. The previous two live-action films did a great job at condensing the lengthy manga and anime into just two films, but for obvious reasons, a sequel is a strange but alluring step forward for the franchise.
The latest Death Note film will see L’s successor take on cyber-terrorists as it is revealed that up to six Death Notes can exist in our world at any one time. This is a rule that has only been mentioned in the manga up until now, and looks set to make for a very interesting thriller.
Shinsuke Sato, the director of the Gantz live-action movies, and the Library Wars films, will helm the latest instalment.
A US remake has been in the planning stages for years with everyone from Zac Efron to Shane Black being attached. Most recently, Adam Wingard, known for The Guest and You’re Next as well as being attached to a remake of I Saw The Devil, has been attached as a possible director.
