Korean superstar, Rain, is taking his first American leading role very seriously. He was recently cast in Ninja Assassin, a Wachowski brothers movie. Rumored to be based on the 1993 anime movie Ninja Scroll, Rain will have one of the main leads in the movie. Collin Chou was also slotted in another main role, but appears to have dropped out. Details on Rain’s role are limited, but according to Variety, he plays a rogue ninja chased by his clan to Berlin. James McTeigue, director of V for Vendetta, will also helm this one. Joel Silver, producer of The Matrix series and Speed Racer, will help produce.

Production started in early March in Germany. Per Hancinema,

“he has been training hard since 6 am for ten hours for the action scenes in the movie. The movie production company said that he also has to watch what he eats. A representative of J-Tune, Rain’s company, said, “It hasn’t been long since he started training officially. But he started dieting from the end of last year and has stopped intake of carbohydrates. He hasn’t eaten a grain of rice. He is eating chicken breast, raw fish, sweet potatoes, and salad, and he receiving hard training”. Because of his diet and training, he has lost about 12 kilograms.”

Rain is poised to make a major breakthrough in American cinema. He has a part in the upcoming Speed Racer, played Madison Square Garden a couple of years ago and now this lead role. Not only that, if you’ve read this New York Times article, you understand his strong work ethic. This, combined with his talent, will give him a great chance at the American market.

Rain will be in Los Angeles on May 9th, presumably to promote the opening of Speed Racer. Details of his itinerary are unknown, but will keep you posted.

Joel Silver, producer, talks about Ninja Assassin

Rain returns to Korea, pics courtesy of Indulging in Rain’s World