New Ghibli Film for 2008 - Directed by Miyazaki

[Zephik]

Nausicaa.net has recently reported that the Hayao Miyazaki plans to direct his next film, as he has decided on its "mood." Little is known about the story, except that it will be set in Kobe (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kobe). Among areas Miyazaki's team visited during pre-production were an old café run by an elderly couple, and the view of a city from high in the mountains. The exact location of these places is censored from Studio Ghibli's production diaries. The studio has also announced that Miyazaki has begun creating storyboards for the film and that they are being produced in watercolor (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watercolor) because the film will have an "unusual visual style." Studio Ghibli anticipates a production time of 20 months with a planned release date of summer (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Summer) 2008 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008).

Dear god yes. I think I just about wet myself when I read that there is a new movie in the making that was being directed by Hayao Miyazaki. Probably not the biggest news in the world, but fans of Ghibli are sure to be excited! I just wish I knew the current exact release date so I can mark it on my calendar! His last two films were Spirited Away and Mononoke right? Geeze, if he puts out another insta-classic like those two he is going be the official god or anime!

How freaking cool would it be to do a Ghibli mod?! If I had the monies, I would get a custom painted case from Falcon Northwest that would show a representation collage mural thingy for all of his films thus far. Now that would be cool!!

Has anyone seen any Ghibli mods out there? I think I saw one awhile back, but I can't remember for sure.

[Zephik]

Updates:

I guess this is the name of the film?
5th of February, MIYAZAKI’S NEW FILM, ATSUSHU OKUI


February 5, 2007 Updated: Voice Cast Forming for Miyazaki's Next Film
According to the January 30 production diary (http://www.ghibli.jp/15diary/003520.html), voice cast audition for Miyazaki's as-yet-unnamed next film have begun. 160 children attended the audition. This diary also shows a picture the next exhibition Miyazaki and Takahata are preparing for the Studio Ghibli Museum (http://www.nausicaa.net/miyazaki/museum/). The exhibition begins in May.

GhibliWorld (http://www.ghibliworld.com/news.html#0502) has additional details and more in their latest news update.

[DaveW]

Hmm. Looking forward to it!

Studio Ghibli have done a version of the Earthsea Novels, but they can't do an English Translation until Channel 4 gives up the rights to that awful TV drama they made. Which sucks. We should see a translation in 2008 for that too, so we might get a double-dose of Ghibli.

Nice.

-Dave