Interest
Live-Action Gintama Film's Elizabeth's Identity Finally Revealed
posted on by Lynzee Loveridge
Masaki Okada was shown as his character Kotarō Katsura for the live-action Gintama film way back in January. Pictured alongside Kotarō is his pet Elizabeth, and while the duck-like creature is definitely in the film, there has been no official announcement of the person underneath the costume.
The part-time job news service An even opened a listing for an Elizabeth cosplayer, offering about US$450 in payment for someone to wear the costume at a preview event for the film in Tokyo on June 28.
It seemed like just about anyone could be Elizabeth. I mean, the character only communicates through written signs anyway. It wasn't until a cast stage greeting event on Friday, the day the film opened in theaters, that the identity of Elizabeth was finally revealed to the public. During the second half the event, director Yūichi Fukuda (Saint Young Men, HK/Hentai Kamen) spoke to the costumed Elizabeth, stating "It seems like it's okay to talk today?"
Elizabeth responded vocally with, "Hot. I should have refused...." but before he could say anymore, Fukuda opened the character's mouth to reveal actor Takayuki Yamada (live-action Bakuman.'s Akira Hattori, live-action Crows Zero's Tamao Serizawa) was inside. Yamada said, "There's no one inside!" as he resisted Fukuda.
Yamada said that while most of cast was roasting in the midsummer heat while performing action scenes on set, he was able to keep cool because he only had a voice role. He said, "I was done in three minutes in a cool room." Although it couldn't be helped, he added that it might have been better if he had been able to be on set with everyone else.
He escaped the heat during filming, but the cast got a bit of payback as Yamada had to appear at the event in the hot costume. The live-action film's Gintoki, Shun Oguri, did not envy Yamada. Oguri said, "If it was me, I definitely wouldn't do it. Even if an offer [to be paid] came, I'd refuse."
Yamada and Fukuda previously worked together on Saint Young Men, and Yamada is also starring as the villain Angelo in the upcoming live-action JoJo's Bizarre Adventure film. He also appeared in commercials for Dragon Quest Heroes II: Twin Kings and the Prophecy's End and Batman: Arkham Knight video games.
Source: Comic Natalie
