After several years of development, FX has finally debuted the first official trailer for their upcoming period drama Shōgun, which is a live-action adaptation of the 1975 James Clavell novel of the same name that promises to tell the tale of two ambitious men who happen to cross paths at a pivotal time in their lives as mayhem ensues around them.
While we'd advise reading the novel if you're interested in learning more about the mysterious plot, the synopsis reveals that the ten-episode limited series will be "set in Japan in the year 1600 at the dawn of a century-defining civil war. Lord Yoshii Toranaga is fighting for his life as his enemies on the Council of Regents unite against him, when a mysterious European ship is found marooned in a nearby fishing village."
Shōgun has been in the works since 2018, so it's certainly a welcome sight to finally see the trailer. In addition to starring in the lead role, Hiroyuki Sanada, who is best known for his roles in The Last Samurai, Avengers: Endgame, and John Wick: Chapter 4, also served as one of the producers on the project, so this should hopefully be an exceptional showcase for the storied action star.
The massive ensemble cast features Cosmo Jarvis as Pilot Major John Blackthorne, Hiroyuki Sanada as Lord Yoshi Toranaga, Anna Sawai as Toda Mariko, Tadanobu Asano as Kashigi Yabu, Fumi Nikaido as Ochiba No Kata (Lady Ochiba), Tokuma Nishioka as Toda Hiromatsu, Takehiro Hira as Ishido Kazunari, Ako as Daiyoin Lady Iyo, Shinnosuke Abe as Toda Buntaro, Yasunari Takeshima as Mura, Hiroto Kanai as Kashigi Omi, Toshi Toda as Sugiyama, Hiro Kanagawa as Igurashi, Junichi Tajiri as Uejiro, Néstor Carbonell as Vasco Rodrigues, Yuki Kura as Yoshi Nagakado, Tommy Bastow as Father Martin Alvito, Moeka Hoshi as Usami Fuji, Yoriko Dōguchi as Kiri No Kata, Yuka Kouri as Kiku, Yuki Kedoin as Takemaru, and Mako Fujimoto as Shizu No Kata.
Jonathan van Tulleken directed the first two episodes, with Charlotte Brändström helming episode three. It's also been confirmed that Hiromi Kamata directed episode six and Emmanuel Osei-Kuffour directed episode eight. Takeshi Fukunaga also helmed an episode, but his episode number hasn't been revealed.
Shōgun premieres in February 2024!
Watch the official trailer below:
Based on James Clavell’s novel, FX’s Shōgun is set in Japan in the year 1600 at the dawn of a century-defining civil war. Lord Yoshii Toranaga is fighting for his life as his enemies on the Council of Regents unite against him, when a mysterious European ship is found marooned in a nearby fishing village.