Hiroyuki Sanada Receives Enthusiastic Offer for TBS’s “VIVANT” Planned for Sequel in 2026

On September 15 (Japan time September 16), Hiroyuki Sanada, an actor active in the United States, won the Best Actor award at the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards, becoming the first Japanese actor to achieve this honor.

He was crowned for his role in the American streaming drama “SHOGUN,” which depicts Japan’s Warring States period. The drama won a total of 18 awards, including Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series.

“SHOGUN” is based on the bestselling novel by James Clavell. Set in Japan on the eve of the Battle of Sekigahara, Sanada portrayed the warlord Yoshii Toranaga, modeled after Tokugawa Ieyasu, and also served as a producer.

The movie “Aegis of the Exiled,” released in 2005, was the last.

The Warring States period is meticulously portrayed, with most of the dialogue in Japanese. Americans, who generally dislike subtitles, have praised it, and it can be said that it adds a historic page to Japanese period dramas.

In his speech, Sanada expressed his joy, saying, 

“I would like to sincerely thank everyone who has supported and preserved period dramas until now, including the directors and various teachers. The passion and dreams I inherited from you have crossed the ocean and transcended borders.”

With this achievement, many would like to see his brave figure in Japan, but Sanada made his full-fledged Hollywood debut with the 2003 film “The Last Samurai” (starring Tom Cruise). He has lived in the U.S. for nearly 20 years and has not appeared as an actor in Japanese visual works since the 2005 film “The Last Sentinel” (his only role in the 2012 film “The Amazing” was as a narrator).

 

“In short, he felt that Hollywood’s filming style suited him better than Japan’s filming style. Although it has improved somewhat in recent years, Japan’s filming style is structured like a pyramid, with directors and producers at the top, and the lower staff simply following their instructions. In Hollywood, every staff member has a voice, and they strive to create better work as a team. When a cut is called, young staff members who recently joined might shout, ‘Hiro (Sanada’s nickname), very cool!’ This is unimaginable in Japan. He seems to have been impressed by such an environment,” said a film industry insider.

Amidst this, Katsuhiro Fukuzawa, the director of TBS’s Sunday drama “VIVANT,” starring Masato Sakai, is focusing his attention on Sanada.

The drama aired in the July 2023 season and features a star-studded cast, including Hiroshi Abe, Hiromi Nagasaku, Fumi Nikaido, and Kazunari Ninomiya from Arashi, with long-term filming conducted in Mongolia. Fukuzawa later remarked that the production costs rival those of Hollywood, saying, 

“It was a huge deficit.”

It is said that a sequel has already been tentatively scheduled for the July 2026 season.

“‘VIVANT’ is envisioned as a trilogy. In fact, casting for the next installment began even before the first one ended, and given that they cast prominent actors like Abe and Yokoyama, they were looking for even bigger surprise appearances. That’s when Sanada was targeted. At that time, it seems Fukuzawa reached out directly to gauge his interest, but he was politely declined,” said a drama insider.

 

A “Japan-originated” film that can be accepted worldwide

However, the possibility is not zero. Both Fukuzawa and Sanada share the same desire to deliver works from Japan to the world. In fact, Sanada stated in an interview after the awards ceremony:

“I believe it will bring great significance to the next generation of actors and production teams. My hope is that this serves as a stepping stone to create something from Japan that can resonate globally.”

As the production of the “SHOGUN” sequel becomes more certain, Sanada will take on the role of not only an actor and producer but also as an ambassador for Japanese content.

The aforementioned drama insider revealed,

“He was declined a year ago, but it seems Fukuzawa is not giving up. With the success of ‘SHOGUN,’ the wind has started to change. It wouldn’t be surprising if Sanada has a change of heart. Fukuzawa seems determined to pursue him patiently.”

I sent an inquiry to TBS regarding the confirmation of a sequel to “VIVANT” and an offer for Sanada to appear, but I did not receive a response by the deadline.

Will the day come when the world’s SANADA can be seen in a Japanese television drama?