Before we get started, note that this is a pretty hefty rumor. Unfortunately Twitch.com could not get a secure confirmation on this story. The site recently caught wind of an interesting idea that may come to fruition: Shimizu Takashi (THE GRUDGE, JU-ON) will direct a big budget, live-action version of KIKI’S DELIVERY SERVICE. Yeah…
The Studio Ghibli animated film from 1998 centers on, “A young witch, on her mandatory year of independent life, finds fitting into a new community difficult while she supports herself by running an air courier service.” The story was based on the children’s book from Japanese author Eiko Kadono. The animated film was written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki (SPIRITED AWAY, PRINCESS MONONOKE). Kirsten Dunst did the voice of Kiki with the late and great Phil Hartman voicing Jiji the cat.
I find the choice of Takashi to be an intriguing one to say the least. I don’t doubt that a live-action version of KIKI’s is in the pipeline. The story is great, and the animated film was one of my favorites. For now, I’m on the fence about this especially since it is a rumor.
