Lee Isaac Chung officially signed on to rewrite and direct the live-action adaptation of Your Name. After being released in 2016, the original romantic-fantasy anime was a critical success became one of the highest-grossing animated films of all time, earning $303 million in Japan alone. J.J. Abrams was an early fan of the film and his production company, Bad Robot, quickly teamed up with Paramount to acquire rights for a live-action remake of Your Name.
Deadline announced that Lee Isaac Chung would be directing Your Name’s live-action adaptation, working off a script draft by screenwriter/producer Emily V. Gordon. Bad Robot’s J.J. Abrams (Super 8) will produce alongside Genki Kawamura, a producer from the original animated version. Paramount will handle distribution globally, except Toho will be responsible for its release in Japanese markets.
Akin to the original animation, the reimagining of Your Name will center on two teenagers who discover they are magically able to switch bodies. When disaster threatens their very existence, they must come together to save their respective worlds.
Chung is a decorated indie film director, and his debut film, Munyurangabo, was critically acclaimed at Cannes. Chungs most recent film, Minari, was produced by A24 and went on to win the Grand Jury and Audience Awards at Sundance 2020.
Although little has been released about the film, the project was initially slated to be championed by Amazing Spider-Man director Marc Webb. However, this decision quickly reinforced concerns from fans of the anime over the Westernization of the original story. With the adaptation of Your Name now being lead by Chung, only time will tell if the reimagining pays proper homage to the original animation.
Source: Deadline