The world of stop-motion animation is about to welcome one of Hollywood’s biggest action stars. Keanu Reeves has officially confirmed that he will star in Hidari, an ambitious samurai action film that blends handcrafted animation with Japanese folklore. The announcement came during the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, where Reeves surprised the audience with a special video message expressing his excitement about the long-awaited project. While many fans know him for high-octane action films, this collaboration promises something entirely different, bringing together traditional craftsmanship and cinematic storytelling.
The project has already been attracting attention among animation lovers after its eye-catching teaser crossed millions of views online. Now, with Reeves officially attached to the film, Hidari has become one of the most talked-about upcoming stop-motion productions. The filmmakers believe the movie will push the boundaries of what audiences usually expect from stop-motion animation, combining intense action sequences with intricate wooden puppet designs inspired by Japanese artistry.
Keanu Reeves says the film feels unlike anything else
During his recorded message shown at Annecy, Reeves spoke warmly about the project and the creative vision behind it. Rather than simply announcing his casting, the actor explained why the film immediately captured his attention after reading the script and seeing the team’s work. His comments reflected genuine admiration for the filmmakers’ dedication and the unique style they are building.
“I think that the stop-motion and what they’ve done, their hope and ambition is very cinematic. It can be both big scale and very intimate, and with the script they have developed, I think it’s extraordinary. I want to see that movie and I want to be in that movie,” he said.
“I’m very excited to move forward and have the opportunity to play the role, to be a part of it. It will be something very special to bring to the world.”
Director Masashi Kawamura also shared his own description of the film while introducing the project to the audience. “Imagine ‘John Wick’ set in feudal Japan and performed by wooden puppets on steroids.” The comparison quickly sparked excitement among fans because Reeves has become closely associated with the John Wick franchise over the past decade. Even though Hidari tells a completely original story, its blend of stylized combat and handcrafted visuals appears to borrow the same energetic spirit that made Reeves’ action films globally popular.
A legendary carpenter inspires an unusual revenge story
The story draws inspiration from Hidari Jingoro, a legendary Japanese sculptor and master carpenter who is believed to have lived during the 17th century. Historians still debate whether he truly existed, adding another layer of mystery that appealed to the creative team. According to Kawamura, the uncertainty surrounding the craftsman made him the perfect central character for a fantasy adventure rooted in Japanese culture.
“Nobody knows if he really existed or not. He’s surrounded by a lot of mystery, which I felt was a very interesting character to use as the center of my story. People even said that he could breathe life into wood.”
He added: “When I heard that, I thought: That’s exactly what we do in stop-motion. We move inanimate objects and try to create life.”
Instead of relying on digital-looking character models, the filmmakers decided to build wooden sculptures inspired by traditional Japanese carving techniques. Kawamura explained that the material itself becomes part of the storytelling because the film celebrates craftsmanship from beginning to end. “Exactly like the ones [Hidari Jingoro] actually crafted himself. The material and the technique become part of the story itself.”
The film follows a gifted young carpenter who is helping rebuild Edo Castle before tragedy completely changes his life. After becoming trapped in a deadly conspiracy, he loses his mentor, his fiancée and even his right arm. Refusing to surrender, he transforms his woodworking knowledge into deadly combat skills, carving a powerful prosthetic arm for himself before facing mechanical soldiers and eventually a giant robotic enemy threatening the city of Edo. The mix of historical inspiration and fantasy gives Hidari a visual identity that stands apart from conventional samurai films.
Handcrafted animation takes center stage over AI
One of the strongest messages delivered during the Annecy presentation was the team’s commitment to practical craftsmanship. Kawamura repeatedly stressed that every frame of the movie is being created by hand rather than relying on shortcuts or automated production methods. “Every single frame is made by hand,” he said, before adding, “That’s the kind of film we want to create. ‘Hidari’ is a samurai action film that blends the explosive energy of anime with the handcrafted aesthetic of stop-motion.”
He further explained the team’s creative philosophy. “We’re going to do this all in stop-motion, guys. It’s going to be crazy,” said Kawamura, noting they will weave together “actual history with fantasy elements to craft an entertaining story for all ages.”
“Under all that spectacle, it’s really about this one man trying to rediscover himself after turning to destruction.”
The filmmakers also introduced the visual concept they call “Wood Punk,” where every carved texture and wooden surface remains visible on screen instead of being polished away. After showing the audience a teaser that has already collected more than five million YouTube views, Kawamura explained why preserving the natural look of wood was essential to the movie’s identity.
“Every grain, every hand-carved chisel marks on the wood. We really want to emphasize that in our film. We kind of coined ‘Wood Punk’ as the world we want to create.”
He also addressed why the team remains committed to stop-motion despite modern technology making computer-generated filmmaking easier than ever.
“The question we often get is: ‘Why are you doing this in stop-motion?’ Because we fucking love it! It’s a fabulous technique, but unfortunately it’s considered to be something maybe more nostalgic for a smaller audience. We, as a team, really wanted to shatter that perception and create something very different.”
“In a world where you could almost generate a film in three seconds using AI – if you don’t give a shit about quality – we’re doing something opposite. It’s a whole film about craftsmanship.”
Producer Noriko Matsumoto revealed that the production previously explored a Hollywood partnership before plans changed after major shifts inside the studio involved. The team has now partnered with Questry to move the project forward independently. Matsumoto also admitted bringing Reeves onboard felt almost unreal because the character had always been imagined with him in mind. “Our character was actually designed as a hybrid between Keanu Reeves and Toshiro Mifune. He embodies the exact character we are looking for.” With Reeves officially attached and production continuing to gain momentum, Hidari is shaping up to become one of the most distinctive animated films currently in development.
