The movie is based on the true story of a group of ronin who avenge the death of their lord. One of the most famous and oft-told tales of Japanese history will receive a "stylized" treatment. The Lord of the Rings movies and Gladiator are brought up as points of comparison for the film's fantasy elements and battle scenes, respectively. But wait, there's more!

Reeves' role isn't mentioned, but it's hard to imagine him as the leader of the avenging ronin, Ōishi Yoshio. Or any of the other 46 ronin, for that matter. The article points out that Reeves is half-Asian, but so is yours truly, and I'd be almost as likely to pass for an authentic samurai. Perhaps this uneasy ethnic fit is why Chris Morgan (Wanted) is said to be "tailoring" the script for Reeves. Will he end up shoe-horned in somehow as a westerner? Or will he just quietly stand around like the least Japanese guy at an all-Japanese party?