Popular anime and manga series Saint Seiya a.k.a. Knights of the Zodiac is getting a live-action film adaptation. The project hails from Toei Animation and Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions, with The Witcher‘s Tomasz Baginski directing. The cast includes Mackenyu, Madison Iseman, Famke Janssen, Sean Bean, Diego Tinoco, Nick Stahl, and Mark Dacascos.
The original manga and anime were created by Masami Kurumada and debuted in 1986. The story is based on Greek Mythology and follows the Saints– Pegasus Seiya, Dragon Shiryu, Cygnus Hyoga, Andromeda Shun, Phoenix Ikki– who draw their powers from the constellations and must defend the reincarnation of the goddess Athena a.k.a. Princess Sienna from other gods who plan to take over the Earth.
The manga has sold over 25 million copies worldwide. The anime was adapted into English in 2003 and was broadcast on the Cartoon Network in the U.S. as Knights of the Zodiac, which is the name that the live-action film will be released under. More recently, Netflix produced two seasons of the 3D computer-animated series version of Saint Seiya: Knights of the Zodiac.
The franchise has also spawned an almost endless string of licensed merchandise from toys to high-end statues.
Mackenyu (Pacific Rim: Uprising) will portray Seiya, the titular hero, while Madison Iseman (Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, Jumanji: The Next Level) is playing Sienna, who is struggling to control her godly powers.
Sean Bean (Game of Thrones, Snowpiercer) portrays the mentor character Alman Kiddo (a.k.a. Mitsumasa Kido) who recruits Seiya into the Knights order. Diego Tinoco (On My Block) will play a mysterious assassin sent to kill Sienna.
The other actors’ roles have not been revealed, but Janssen may be best known for playing Jean Grey in the original X-Men movies. Stahl recently starred on Fear the Walking Dead. Dacascos appeared in John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum and is known as the host of Iron Chef: America.
Are you a fan of Saint Seiya/Knights of the Zodiac? Are you looking forward to a live-action version? Check back for updates as they arrive.