Two Hurdles Blocking the Sequel to Jun Matsumoto’s Popular Drama 99.9

On the 16th, popular group Arashi’s member Jun Matsumoto (40) announced his departure from STARTO ENTERTAINMENT and decision to become independent via the company’s official website.

 

Matsumoto’s departure marks the second member of Arashi to go independent, following Sho Sakurai, who left SMILE-UP. (formerly Johnny & Associates) in October last year. Matsumoto will officially go independent after overseeing STARTO’s concert on the 29th and 30th of this month, which he is directing himself.

“After leaving the agency, Matsumoto will soon begin rehearsals for the stage production ‘Sho Triangle,’ directed by Hideki Noda, which he will perform in from domestic performances in July to the London performances in November. He may start other acting jobs as early as next year,” a entertainment journalist stated.

While Matsumoto starred in last year’s NHK Taiga drama “What Should I Do, Ieyasu,” his recent notable work includes the drama series “99.9 -Criminal Lawyer-” which began in 2016 and had a theatrical release in 2021. The title “99.9” signifies the conviction rate in Japanese criminal cases, with 99.9% resulting in guilty verdicts, leaving the remaining 0.1% to be cleared by defense attorney Daisuke Shigeyama, played by Matsumoto. The drama gained attention for being the first legal entertainment work to focus on a criminal defense lawyer as the main theme in a TV series.

“The average household viewership rating for ‘SEASON I’ of the drama was 17.2% (according to Video Research, Kanto region, the same applies below), while ‘SEASON II,’ broadcast in 2018, had an average of 17.6% for 9 episodes. The special edition aired before the movie release in 2021 recorded 13.9% viewership, and the theatrical version became a hit with box office earnings of 3 billion yen. Fans are eagerly anticipating a sequel. Since it’s a guaranteed hit, once Matsumoto settles down, there is a likelihood that the drama and sequel movies will be produced within the network,” a TBS official stated.

According to this source, there are two significant hurdles that need to be overcome for the production of a sequel.

“Another major hurdle lies in whether actor Teruyuki Kagawa, who played Atsuhiro Sada, the director of the protagonist’s law firm in the theatrical version, can participate. There’s still uncertainty. Some media outlets reported that an offer was extended to Kagawa for both the sequel of our Takuya Kimura (51)-starring drama ‘Grand Maison Tokyo’ and the theatrical version, but it’s not easy to dispel the image of the sexual harassment allegations. However, it’s unlikely that fans of the series would be satisfied with a replacement,” the same source continued.

Matsumoto also revealed at a screening event for “SEASON II” held in Tokyo in January 2018, before the broadcast, “We had a day of filming yesterday, but because there was a gap, I suggested, ‘Why don’t we do a script reading during New Year’s?’ and the cast agreed to gather for an unusual ‘self-practice’ session.” Kato, who participated, smiled bitterly, saying, “I’ve been an actor for 30 years, but this is the first time.”

“While superficially, it’s a good episode that reveals the strong bond on set, in reality, such things are not common. Last year’s Taiga drama reported on Matsumoto’s self-centered behavior backstage and his affection for his co-star Kasumi Arimura (31). Looking back, the ‘self-practice’ Matsumoto called for now seems to have a connection with the reports from the Taiga drama era.

In ‘99.9,’ the heroine changed from Nana Eikura (36) in ‘SEASON I,’ to Fumino Kimura (36) in ‘SEASON II,’ and to Hana Sugisaki (26) in the theatrical version. It’s uncertain whether someone from the past will be offered the role or if a new actress will be sought after. It’s said that casting the heroine will be the most challenging aspect of the sequel,” the source concluded.

 

After fulfilling his long-desired wish of starring in Hideki Noda’s stage production, it’s hoped that the sequel to “99.9” will come to fruition.

*”FRIDAY Digital” welcomes your information and tip-offs. Please send your information to the following information form or to the official X.

Information Form: https://friday.kodansha.co.jp/tips

Official X: https://twitter.com/FRIDAY_twit