Anime and manga fans have been treated to plenty of their favorite titles being adapted into live-action, with even more projects on the way. The most recent of these isKnights of the Zodiac, Sony’s upcoming movie adapted from the popular manga and anime Saint Seiya, which promises not only some impressive action and deep storytelling, but also impressive star power, with a cast that includes Famke Jannsen, Nick Stahl, Mark Dacascos, Madison Iseman, Mackenyu, and Sean Bean.
Directed by Tomek Bagiński, who counts Netflix’sThe Witcherand its spinoffsThe Witcher: Nightmare and the WolfandThe Witcher: Blood Originamong his credits,Knights of the Zodiactells the story of Seiya (played by Mackenyu), who rises from fighting for money to battling for the fate of the world and to protecting Sienna (played by Madison Iseman), who is actually the reincarnation of the Greek goddess Athena. Along the way, Seiya embraces his own destiny and learns to harness magical powers with the help of Alman Kido (Sean Bean).Knights of the Zodiacfinds its basis in Greek mythology, and it uses those ancient tales to propel its action-packed story.
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Speaking with Game Rant, Sean Bean provided deeper details on his character, and the qualities he found within him. Elaborating on his acting process, Bean said, “It’s a question of finding that knowledge, maturity, intellect. It’s like looking back on one’s own life. You look on when you were younger, you realize you hopefully learned a bit more over the years.” The actor added that Alman Kido is “a very educated man, very successful businessman and a billionaire who is retired and follows his true passion which is ancient history and folklore and Greek mythology.” Bean also notes the conflict that Kido finds himself in, and how his task of protecting Sienna weighs on him, saying:
He’s quite laid back, but he has a heavy weight on his shoulders in terms of his responsibility to Sienna and trying to find someone who can provide her with the energy and support she needs in terms of the cosmos and the cosmic energy she needs every day. As you said he’s a father figure and a mentor, but he’s aware that he’s in a very dangerous situation. It’s quite perilous the journey that he’s taking in order to keep Siena on the right track which would lead to transformation into the goddess Athena. So he’s well aware of the consequences but he’s quite steady and a level-headed man.
Incidentally, Bean is no stranger to Greek mythology, having played Odysseus in the 2005 filmTroy. Beyond that, though, the actor said that hehas always been interested in Greek mythology, and highlighted how many of the stories passed down for centuries are “surreal” and “bizarre.” “Experiences like Zeus having children from his forehead and things like that, or how Hera, I believe, puts a stone in his belly and he thinks he’s having another one or something (laughs).”
In regards toKnights of the Zodiac, Bean said it was the inclusion of Greek mythology that drew him to the project, but it was how the story remixed that folklore that he found most interesting. “When that was combined with the Japanese culture, the manga, the anime, I thought it was a really interesting mixture. It took me a little bit long to get my head around it, but I think it’s fascinating that they’re able to draw the two cultures together and create such a thought-provoking and exciting piece of work.”
Fans of the original manga and anime will no doubt find plenty to enjoy in this live-action adaptation, which has been a passion project of Toei Animation for nearly three decades.Knights of the Zodiaccomes on the heels of other recent anime and manga adaptations includingAlita Battle AngelandNetflix’sCowboy Bebopseries. With the movie’s imminent release date, it might be a good time to dive back into some of the original stories.
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