Keanu Reeves is stepping into another revenge-driven role, this time in a Japanese stop-motion film that signals a growing shift in global entertainment partnerships. The actor, best known for The Matrix and John Wick, will voice the lead in Hidari, a samurai epic announced at the Annecy Animation Showcase during the 2026 Cannes Film Festival.
Director Masashi Kawamura and producer Noriko Matsumoto revealed that Reeves will play Hidari Jingoro, a skilled craftsman turned avenger in a story set during Japan’s Edo period. The project marks Reeves’ first role in a Japanese original production, a notable move as Hollywood talent continues to cross into international markets.
According to the official synopsis, Jingoro is caught in a political plot during the rebuilding of Edo Castle. He loses his mentor, the woman he loves, and his right arm. He survives and rebuilds himself with a weaponized prosthetic. His tools become weapons as he hunts those who betrayed him. The story follows his search for answers as he uncovers a larger conspiracy tied to power struggles within the shogunate.
The film builds on a 2023 proof-of-concept short that gained over 4.9 million views on YouTube and won more than 20 film festival awards. That early success pushed the project into full development, reflecting how viral content is now driving major production decisions in the film industry.
HIDARI (Pilot Film) - The Stop-Motion Samurai Film
Kawamura said Reeves was always his top choice. “One of the films we referenced while creating the Hidari pilot film and developing the screenplay was John Wick,” he said. “The very first name I wrote down was Keanu Reeves. I never imagined he would actually join the project. Even now, it feels surreal.”
Reeves has voiced characters in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and Toy Story 4, but Hidari presents a different kind of challenge. The film uses detailed wooden puppets animated frame by frame, a process known for its slow pace and high cost. The production involves Whatever Co., dwarf studios, and TECARAT, with dwarf studios recognized for its work on Netflix’s Rilakkuma series.
“I’m thrilled by the vision behind Hidari,” Reeves said. “From the proof of concept to the developed script, the team has created something extraordinary. I believe this project has the potential to bring something special to audiences worldwide.”
Industry observers note that stop-motion projects of this scale often take years to complete due to the labor-intensive process. Still, the strong response to the original short suggests there is a clear audience for this type of storytelling, even as studios face pressure to justify rising production costs in a changing global market.
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