Sayonara Jupiter (film)
Encyclopedia
is a 1984 Japanese
science fiction film
directed by Koji Hashimoto
and produced by Toho
. The script was adapted by pioneering science-fiction author Sakyo Komatsu
from his novel Sayonara Jupiter (1982). The special effect
s were directed by Koichi Kawakita
.
Cast with an unusual mix of actors speaking English, French and Japanese, the film was conceived by the struggling Toho film empire as a rival to the forthcoming box office blockbuster hit 2010. The two films bear comparison of plot elements. Sayonara Jupiter tells the story of Eji Honda, an idealistic scientist whose international team plans to harness solar energy from Jupiter by turning it into a new sun.
But the project suffers setbacks after his American best friend dies in a black hole, alien hieroglyphics appear on Mars, and his ex-girlfriend—an implacable enemy of the Jupiter Project—shows up in his life. To make things worse, a shark—also named Jupiter—is attacking innocent beachgoers on Earth. And its owner, the folk-singing leader of the environmentalists, is refusing to stop the creature.
This was actor Akihiko Hirata's final film role. He was set to star in The Return of Godzilla (1984), but died of throat cancer before he was cast. In one scene, Honda watches Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster
, which featured a much younger Akihiko Hirata.
Cinema of Japan
The has a history that spans more than 100 years. Japan has one of the oldest and largest film industries in the world – as of 2009 the fourth largest by number of feature films produced. Movies have been produced in Japan since 1897, when the first foreign cameramen arrived...
science fiction film
Science fiction film
Science fiction film is a film genre that uses science fiction: speculative, science-based depictions of phenomena that are not necessarily accepted by mainstream science, such as extraterrestrial life forms, alien worlds, extrasensory perception, and time travel, often along with futuristic...
directed by Koji Hashimoto
Koji Hashimoto (director)
was a Japanese film director and film producer, most noted for his work on the Godzilla movies and other monster series. He died of coronary disease at age 64 while mountain climbing.- External links :...
and produced by Toho
Toho
is a Japanese film, theater production, and distribution company. It is headquartered in Yūrakuchō, Chiyoda, Tokyo, and is one of the core companies of the Hankyu Hanshin Toho Group...
. The script was adapted by pioneering science-fiction author Sakyo Komatsu
Sakyo Komatsu
was a Japanese science fiction writer and screenwriter. He was one of the most well known and highly regarded science fiction writers in Japan.-Early life:...
from his novel Sayonara Jupiter (1982). The special effect
Special effect
The illusions used in the film, television, theatre, or entertainment industries to simulate the imagined events in a story are traditionally called special effects ....
s were directed by Koichi Kawakita
Koichi Kawakita
is a special effects artist.-Biography:In 1958, Kawakita was a member of the Jury at the 6th Berlin International Film Festival....
.
Cast with an unusual mix of actors speaking English, French and Japanese, the film was conceived by the struggling Toho film empire as a rival to the forthcoming box office blockbuster hit 2010. The two films bear comparison of plot elements. Sayonara Jupiter tells the story of Eji Honda, an idealistic scientist whose international team plans to harness solar energy from Jupiter by turning it into a new sun.
But the project suffers setbacks after his American best friend dies in a black hole, alien hieroglyphics appear on Mars, and his ex-girlfriend—an implacable enemy of the Jupiter Project—shows up in his life. To make things worse, a shark—also named Jupiter—is attacking innocent beachgoers on Earth. And its owner, the folk-singing leader of the environmentalists, is refusing to stop the creature.
This was actor Akihiko Hirata's final film role. He was set to star in The Return of Godzilla (1984), but died of throat cancer before he was cast. In one scene, Honda watches Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster
Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster
Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster, released in Japan as and originally released in the US as Ghidrah, the Three-Headed Monster, is a 1964 science fiction kaiju film, and is the 5th film in Toho's Godzilla series...
, which featured a much younger Akihiko Hirata.
Cast
- Tomokazu MiuraTomokazu Miurais a Japanese actor. Born January 28, 1952 in Enzan, Yamanashi, his real name is Miura Minoru . He attended Hino high school in Tokyo, and married actress and singer Momoe Yamaguchi in 1980...
as Dr. Eiji Honda - Dangely Diane as Maria Basehart
- Akihiko HirataAkihiko Hiratawas a Japanese film actor. While Hirata starred in many movies , he is most well known for his work in the kaiju genre, including such films as King Kong vs. Godzilla, The Mysterians, and his most famous role of Dr...
as Dr. Inoue Ryutarou - Andrew Hughes as Senator Shadllic
- Masumi OkadaMasumi Okadawas a professional actor, singer, stand-up comedian, and film producer. Also known by his nickname, "Fanfan", he was born in Nice, France, to a Japanese father, Minoru Okada, who was an artist, and a Danish mother, Ingeborg Sevaldsen, who was the sister of Eline Eriksen, the model for the "Mermaid...
as Dr. Mohammed Mansur - Morishige Hisaya as Earth Federation President