From portraying the memorable character Han Lue in the Fast & Furious franchise to helming the director’s seat, Sung Kang’s journey in the cinematic world has been remarkable. Known among car enthusiasts and movie buffs, Kang is all set to gift audiences with a live-action adaptation of the renowned Japanese manga and anime series, Initial D.
In a candid chat with the South China Morning Post, Kang delved into his transition from being in front of the camera to taking control behind it. His motivations stemmed from feeling unfulfilled with roles he was offered over the years. With his directorial debut, Shaky Shivers, making its way to theaters, Kang is gearing up for his next venture, one that promises adrenaline-packed scenes and nostalgia for Initial D fans.
While specifics about the film remain under wraps, Kang has shared glimpses of what fans can look forward to seeing. Drawing parallels with iconic movies such as Rocky and Karate Kid, Kang envisions a grand-scale film that encapsulates his passionate love for cars. “It’s about cars and drifting and cool things like that,” he remarked.
Further fueling the excitement for the show is Kang’s recent discussion on his “Car Stories” podcast shed light on the iconic Toyota Sprinter Trueno AE86 hero car for the movie, crafted by the famed Japanese tuning house RWB. Matt Farah, a guest on the show, even humorously suggested providing his favored bus fabric for the car’s interior – a detail that, if incorporated, would undoubtedly elicit chuckles.
Initial D is no stranger to the live-action domain. Back in 2005, directed by the acclaimed Chinese filmmaker Andrew Lau, it graced screens in Asian markets. While the movie largely encapsulated the essence of the manga, weaving in its coming-of-age themes with heart-pounding racing sequences, its reach was primarily limited to the region. Jay Chou’s portrayal of the lead character, Takumi Fujiwara, became iconic, to the point where he even acquired one of the AE86s used in the movie. Despite rumors of a sequel, the 2005 film remained standalone, with Lau confirming in 2020 his disinterest in revisiting the series.
Now, more than a decade later, Kang’s take on the series is highly anticipated. Not only does the magic of Initial D lie in its blend of high school drama with street racing, but the narrative’s core is also the thrill and challenges of illegal street racing. As an individual who has an established rapport with the automotive world, both on and off-screen, Kang seems like the perfect individual to breathe life into this adaptation. His role as Han in Tokyo Drift, where he drove the VeilSide Mazda RX-7, combined with his personal collection of classics like the Datsun 240Z, speaks volumes of his automotive passion.
In recent times, Kang has been vocal about the challenges he faced in Hollywood, particularly as an Asian actor striving to break free from stereotypical roles. Directing Initial D provides him with a platform to not only showcase a beloved manga but also address the representation concerns that have been close to his heart. “It was time to get behind the camera and start creating,” Kang stated, emphasizing his drive to provide opportunities for others who share his struggles in the industry.
Initial D, penned by Shuichi Shigeno, ran from 1995 to 2013 and stands as one of the most influential mangas, especially in car culture. It narrates the tale of Takumi Fujiwara, a young man honing his drifting skills with a Toyota Sprinter AE86 Trueno, against the backdrop of delivering tofu for his father’s business.
With the Fast and Furious saga drawing to a close, Kang’s directorial endeavors signal a fresh chapter in his cinematic journey. A recurring theme in his projects, be it the horror-comedy Shaky Shivers or the forthcoming film on growing up in an interracial family in Georgia, is the emphasis on creating meaningful representation on screen.
With Kang at the helm, there’s hope that this new live-action adaptation will not only pay homage to the original but also introduce it to a new generation of fans, eagerly waiting for the engines to roar on the big screen.
