Amblin to adapt Akira Kurosawa’s Rashomon for a TV series

Sharpen your swords and prepare for some epic drama, as it's been announced that Amblin Television has acquired the rights to Akira Kurosawa's mystery crime drama RASHOMON. As per the plot of the 1950 classic, Amblin's 10-episode season will present fans with the tale of a young bride and the murder of her samurai husband. Just like Kurosawa's original film, the series will explore the life-altering events from multiple perspectives – the bandit, the bride, the woodcutter, and the samurai's ghost.

Executive producing the series will be The series will be Amblin TV’s co-presidents Darryl Frank and Justin Falvey, with Atmosphere’s Mark Canton and David Hopwood and Opus 7’s Leigh Ann Burton.

“We couldn’t be more excited to adapt this extraordinary film as the foundation for a new dramatic mystery thriller series,” said Frank and Falvey in a statement. “It will explore the boundaries of truth and how different perspectives don’t often reveal the same reality. We also couldn’t be happier to be in business with Mark, Leigh Ann, and David who are great producers and partners.”

As a legend of Japanese filmmaking, Akira Kurosawa helmed a raft of sought-after features from 1943-1993 including (but not limited to) SEVEN SAMURAI, YOJIMBO, SANJURO, RAN, and the anthology-style DREAMS. The beloved RASHOMAN starred ofttimes Kurosawa collaborator Toshiro Mifune, alongside Machiko Kyo and Masayuki Mori. As is the case with many of Kurosawa's efforts, RASHOMON is often the subject of private screenings and film festivals around the world, with each event being staged as a celebration of the filmmaker's extensive and legendary catalog of influential films.

“We can’t wait to dig in with Justin and Darryl and everyone at Amblin as we adapt this iconic title for television,” said Canton. “We feel this storytelling approach and the way it explores truth and reality is especially timely in today’s world.”

Casting for RASHOMON, much like the project's production start date, has yet to be announced. It should be interesting to see how Kurosawa's work is translated for modern day audiences, as the film does include subject matter that could be viewed as triggering for those looking to tune in. Here's hoping that the spirit and story of RASHOMON remains intact on its way to the small screen.