Hiroshi Abe and Aya Ueto cast in live-action “Thermae Romae” film

Hiroshi Abe and Aya Ueto have been cast in the live-action adaption of Mari Yamazaki’s award-winning manga Thermae Romae.

The comedy revolves around an ancient Roman bath house architect named Lucius (Abe) who’s hard up for new ideas. In the search for inspiration, he time-travels to various baths in modern-day Japan.

Ueto will co-star as Mami, a cute Japanese woman and aspiring manga artist whom Lucius would refer to as part of the “flat-faced tribe”.

“I want to play the flat-faced tribe representative Mami with all my might so that I won’t lose,” Ueto proclaimed enthusiastically.

Hideki Takeuchi (Nodame Cantabile) is directing and Shogo Muto (Crows Zero) handled the screenplay.

Filming began in Rome on March 14 at a huge open-air set at Cinecittà film studio.

Live-action film adaptations of popular manga typically suffer some criticism, but the creator of the original work seems confident.

“Frankly, to my surprise, it seems to be a monumental work that will surpass the original,” Yamazaki said. “Abe-san is truly magnificent as the ancient Roman Lucius. Italian staff members were murmuring ‘Seems like a genuine Roman’ unprompted.”

“Thermae Romae” will be released in 2012.

Sources: Tokyograph, Cinema Today

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