TOKIO's Nagase Tomoya to star in movie version of "Soratobu Taiya"

TOKIO's Nagase Tomoya will be starring in the movie version of "Soratobu Taiya" (The tyre which flew into the sky) based on the same-titled novel by Ikeido Jun published in 2006. This will be the first movie adaptation of Ikeido's works and it will be shown in cinemas next year. The novel was made into a drama by WOWOW in 2009 starring Nakamura Tooru. The production crew had approached Ikeido three years ago about making a movie from his works thus he suggested this novel to the crew.

Nagase will be playing the lead character Akamatsu Tokurou who is the president of a transportation company. One day, an accident involving his company's truck happens where a tyre comes loose and causes a housewife's death. This results in a lack of trust and wave of criticism directed at his company for alleged maintenance faults. However, when Akamatsu investigates the truck's structure as he suspects a problem, he finds out that the truck's manufacturer Hope Jidosha is hiding a critical recall issue. In order to protect his company, employees, family and seek justice for himself, he takes on Hope Jidosha which tries to conceal the truth.

Nagase commented that he is very honoured to be able to play Akamatsu who is about the same age as him so he can identify with the feelings which the latter has and his refusal to give up in his bid to uphold justice. As such, he will try his best to act in this movie as what he always does. Filming is expected to begin in the middle of this month and wrap up by April. The rest of the cast lineup will be announced at a later date.

Sources: Nikkansports / Sanspo / Sponichi / Eiga.com