Warner Bros. Japan announced on Tuesday that it will distribute a live-action film based on the Fullmetal Alchemist manga series by Hiromu Arakawa. The film is currently scheduled for release in the winter 2017 timeframe.

Fullmetal Alchemist will be directed by Fumihiko Sori, who previously helmed live-action films of Ping Pong in 2002 and Ashita no Joe in 2011. Kazuya Hamana will serve as an executive producer, having previously held the same position in the production of the 2013 live-action film of Toshokan Sensou.

Sori is putting digital technology at the forefront of the film's production and intends to depict the original work as much as possible. "The cast is entirely composed of Japanese actors, but the cultural setting is that of Europe," he said. "However, the race and nationality of the characters aren't specifically identified."

Hiromu Arakawa drew the Fullmetal Alchemist manga between 2001 and 2010 in Shounen Gangan. The series was compiled into 27 volumes and has been adapted into two separate television anime series in 2003 and 2009. It won the 49th Shogakukan Manga Award for the shounen demographic in 2004.

Filming of Fullmetal Alchemist will begin in early June in Italy.

Cast
Edward Elric: Ryousuke Yamada (live-action Ansatsu Kyoushitsu)
Winry Rockbell: Tsubasa Honda (live-action Ao Haru Ride)
Roy Mustang: Dean Fujioka
Maes Hughes: Ryuuta Satou
Riza Hawkeye: Misako Renbutsu
Maria Ross: Natsuna (live-action Tiger Mask)
Gracia Hughes: Natsuki Harada
Shou Tucker: You Ooizumi (Bakemono no Ko)
Tim Marcoh: Jun Kunimura (Kaze Tachinu)
Hakuro: Fumiyo Kohinata
Lust: Yasuko Matsuyuki
Envy: Kanata Hongou (Btooom!)
Gluttony: Shinji Uchiyama
Cornello: Kenjirou Ishimaru

Official site: http://wwws.warnerbros.co.jp/hagarenmovie/

Source: Comic Natalie