Neon has dropped the first trailer for Bad Lieutenant: Tokyo, a new film from Takashi Miike, one of the most prolific directors out there.
The official synopsis for the film reads: “A disgraced Tokyo detective spirals into a world of corruption, addiction, and violence as he becomes entangled in a twisted investigation involving a vengeful ex-yakuza, an enigmatic FBI agent, and a missing daughter of a powerful American family.“
Shun Oguri stars alongside Lily James and Liv Morgan. Miike directs from a script by frequent collaborator Daisuke Tengan.
Bad Lieutenant: Tokyo will have its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in September.
When Bad Lieutenant: Tokyo was about to go into production, Miike said, “A team of incredibly talented actors and crew has gathered in Tokyo. Now. I’m about to throw a fastball straight down the middle of your strike zone – no tricks, no gimmicks. I’m confident we are about to break through every limit, to create unforgettable entertainment. Get ready for the ride with us.“
Oguri has said, “Director Miike is a really cool person, and it was a very meaningful time to be able to work on a project with him again. Acting in English was a challenge for me, but Lily James, who stayed in Japan for this project, approached the work with such sincerity that it was very enjoyable, and I was very excited every day. During those whirlwind few days of filming, I felt like I truly lived as Yabuki. Yabuki is certainly not a commendable character, but in a way, his desperate attempts to live life to the fullest and turn his life around are beautiful.“
James added, “This character was completely different from any I’ve played before, and it was a very challenging and refreshing experience. There were many moments when I was struck by Oguri’s acting, and his acting ability was truly delicate and moving. I feel incredibly fortunate to have traveled with him on this project and lived through this crazy story together. Director Miike is a legend, yet wonderfully generous, and he gave me a sense of security and confidence. It was truly enjoyable to create this film together, and working with Director Miike was a moment of great significance in my life. I will cherish this experience.“
The first Bad Lieutenant movie was released in 1992, with Harvey Keitel starring as a corrupt, drug-addicted NYPD cop who suffers through a crisis of faith.
Director Abel Ferrara never imagined a follow-up, but 17 years later, Werner Herzog released Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans, starring the one and only Nicolas Cage. Although there was no connection to the original film beyond the title, Ferrara was very angry about the project, even saying he hoped Herzog and Cage “die in hell.” Years later, Ferrara and Herzog eventually met up and made peace.
Now, with Bad Lieutenant: Tokyo, we’ve got a third installment of the unlikely franchise. I wonder what Ferrara will think of this one.