Ultraman: Rising cast and co-directors discuss the pressures of bringing a new story to the legacy, as well as what they hope audiences take away.
Netflix’s Ultraman: Rising tells the captivating story of Ken Sato, professional baseball player by day, hero Ultraman by night. When he is suddenly left with a baby kaiju to take care of, his world turns upside down. He must now balance work, parenthood, and crime fighting. While long time Ultraman fans will certainly enjoy the movie, it is made with new audiences in mind.
Ultraman: Rising interviews include:
- Christopher Sean (Ken Sato)
- Tamlyn Tomita (Emiko)
- Gedde Watanabe (Professor Sato)
- Shannon Tindle (Director)
- John Aoshima (Co-Director)
Ultraman: Rising Cast & Directors Talk Legacy
Christopher Sean immediately states that he felt absolute pressure in taking over the role of Ken Sata, AKA Ultraman, in Ultraman: Rising. “For me, it’s such an iconic character and is such an important part of the history of Japan,” he explains. “It was one of the largest incomes of the Japanese economy.”
Christopher goes on to say, “Just to be a part of such an amazing franchise, with so much history, it was very important for me to not fumble.” He claims that an audience that has no knowledge of Ultraman can come in and still love the movie. He hopes viewers of all ages and gender enjoy Ultraman: Rising.
Tamlyn Tomita praises Christopher Sean, stating he has done the diligent work of researching the Ultraman franchise from 1966 all the way to 2024. “Being the new iteration of Ultraman, I think we can think of it in terms of generations. He’s the 2024 version.”
Director Shannon Tindle hopes that families will watch Ultraman: Rising together and it will make them think, and want to discuss with one another. “I hope that if people haven’t connected with their parents or their children in a while that they will pick up the phone and call them and re-connect. Or, if they have a great relationship, they will want to share the film because they want to share what it feels like to love your child, or love your parents.”
Co-Director John Aoshima adds, “I grew up with a single parent and looking back I understand how much my mom went through raising four kids.” He goes on to say, “Ultraman is a giant superhero finding the balance and harmony in any conflict, but he’s an aspiring hero and asks everyone of us to rise to the occassion, no matter how hard the situation is.”
Watch the full interview above for more from the cast and directors, and tune in when Ultraman: Rising comes to Netflix on June 14, 2024.
NEXT: Big City Greens the Movie: Spacecation Delivers Humor & Heart
About Ultraman: Rising
With Tokyo under siege from rising monster attacks, baseball star Ken Sato reluctantly returns home to take on the mantle of Ultraman. But the titanic superhero meets his match when he is forced to adopt a 35-foot-tall, fire-breathing baby kaiju.
Sato must rise above his ego to balance work and parenthood while protecting the baby from forces bent on exploiting her for their own dark plans.
In partnership with Netflix, Tsuburaya Productions, and Industrial Light & Magic, Ultraman: Rising is written by Shannon Tindle and Marc Haimes, directed by Shannon Tindle, and co-directed by John Aoshima.
Ultraman: Rising comes to Netflix on June 14, 2024.
Tessa Smith is a Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer-approved Film and TV Critic. She is also a Freelance Writer. Tessa has been in the Entertainment writing business for ten years and is a member of several Critics Associations including the Critics Choice Association and the Greater Western New York Film Critics Association.