Mamoru Hosoda's Scarlet Anime Film's N. American Wide Release Delayed to Early 2026
Despite being initially planned for release in the US on December 12th, the film will still undergo an awards-qualifying run this year.
On Monday, it was revealed by Sony Pictures that Scarlet, which is directed by Mamoru Hosoda of Studio Chizu, will be released in North America in early 2026 instead of its previously scheduled date.
Sony Pictures has declared that it will distribute the movie in North America through its Sony Pictures Classics unit, while its Sony Pictures Releasing International unit will handle global distribution for Columbia Pictures.
Originally, the movie was set to release in the US on December 12th. However, it is now planned to have an awards-eligible run in North America this year.
The film will open in Japan on November 21.
The upcoming Venice International Film Festival is set to showcase the world debut of the film with five screenings on September 4-5. Meanwhile, TIFF will present the North American premiere of the film as part of its 50th anniversary celebration with four showings on September 10-12. Lastly, NYFF has scheduled two screenings of the film for October 7th and 8th.
Sony Pictures describes the film:
From visionary Academy Award®-nominated filmmaker Mamoru Hosoda (MIRAI) comes a powerful, time-bending animated adventure about SCARLET, a medieval-era, sword fighting princess on a dangerous quest to avenge the death of her father. After failing at her mission and finding herself gravely injured in the Otherworld that exists somewhere between life and death, she encounters an idealistic young man from our present day who not only helps her to heal but shows her the possibility of a future free of bitterness and rage. When confronted again by her father's killer, Scarlet faces her most daunting battle: can she break the cycle of hatred and find meaning in life beyond revenge?
Mana Ashida stars as the princess Scarlet and Masaki Okada as Hijiri, a nurse from modern Japan.
The cast also includes:
- Yutaka Matsushige as Cornelius, an influential aide of Claudius
- Kōtarō Yoshida as Voltemand, an aide of Claudius who leads the knights
- Kōji Yakusho as Claudius, whose conspiracy led Scarlet onto her quest for vengeance
- Masachika Ichimura as Amulet, Scarlet's father
- Yūki Saitō as Gertrude, Scarlet's mother who assists Claudius in his conspiracy
- Shōta Sometani as Guildenstern
- Munetaka Aoki as Rosencrantz, a vassal of Claudius who targets Scarlet
- Kazuhiro Yamaji as Polonius, an aide of Claudius who watches over Scarlet's movements
- Tokio Emoto as Laertes
- Kayoko Shiraishi as a mysterious old woman
- Noa Shiroyama as a girl whom Scarlet encounters in "The Land of the Dead"
Several characters from Hamlet have similar names to those found in William Shakespeare's tragedy play Hamlet.
Hosoda is both directing and writing the script for this movie, as well as being credited for its original concept. According to him, this film will not be traditional 2D animation or "Hollywood-style CG." Instead, he aims for a completely new visual style. He mentioned that this movie will have a distinct feel compared to his previous works and will include both action and romance elements. Lastly, he revealed that this movie is based on a well-known global classic.
Producer Yūichirō Saitō announced that the movie would be distributed globally. In Japan, TOHO is handling the release while Sony Pictures is in charge of the international distribution. Additionally, Sony Pictures has invested in the production of the movie.
According to Natalie, in Japan, Hosoda's movies have traditionally been released during the summer season. However, this new film will be launched in winter instead.
Source: Sony Pictures ( link )
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