Keanu Reeves stars as a sword-wielding samurai in long-awaited first trailer for fantasy adventure 47 Ronin



The project was first announced way back in 2008 and after fives years fans have finally been given their first glimpse of Keanu Reeves’ sword-wielding warrior in new film 47 Ronin.



An all-action adventure, the film has seen it’s release date pushed back multiple times but the first trailer for the movie finally gives fans a good look at Keanu doing battle.



The Matrix star plays warrior outcast Kai who is enlisted by 47 samurai to seek revenge on a powerful overlord who slaughtered their master.

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Seeking revenge: Keanu Reeves stars as a samurai warrior in new adventure epic 47 Ronin

The Ronin, or leaderless samurai, are in fact a real-life group of 18th century warriors who avenged their master’s honour after he was compelled to commit ritual suicide.



The story is something of a national legend in Japan and has been adapted more than 80 times on screen in the country. Keanu's film though marks the first time an English-version has been produced.



Sword-welding: Keanu brandishes his weapon in the first trailer of the adaptation of a Japanese legend

Fantasy: The film has added some monstrous additions to the legend including fire casting witches and dragons

Reeves plays Kai, a half British, half Japanese warrior, alongside a cast of established Japanese actors in a character that was specifically created for the film.

Other liberties have been taken with the story including the addition of various fantasy elements to create a stylised version of the original tale.



Keanu has been quick to insist that the film stays faithful to it’s Japanese routes, despite the choice to amp up the action with CGI monsters:

‘Japanese kids grow up with this story told to them. They hear it from family and they learn it in school, it’s part of the culture,’ he told the Los Angeles Times.

47 Ronin is based on a Japanese legend which has already been adapted more than 80 times in it's native country

Warrior: A host of established Japanese actors also star in the film which hits cinemas later this year

‘It’s been made into movies many times and on television. It’s like our westerns, the story keeps being told. It’s been reworked in some ways [for this new film] but with great care and respect.’



The trailer sees Keanu doing battle alongside the likes of Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa and Hiroyuki Sanada as well as facing a monstrous dragon.



The first trailer for 47 Ronin sees Keanu locked in some fierce battles as well as romance scenes

Japanese singer and actress Kô Shibasaki makes her Hollywood debut in the film, playing Keanu’s beautiful love interest and daughter of the slain master.

