It looks like the famed anime director is coming out of retirement once again to make a feature-length animated film. During the Toronto International Film Festival premiere of The Boy and the Heron, news broke that Hayao Miyazaki’s retirement plans may have been announced too soon.
If you’re a longtime watcher of Studio Ghibli, you might remember that Miyazaki claimed to have retired before. But once again, he seems to have pulled the trick of fake retirement.
Studio Ghibli vice-president Junichi Nishioka claimed The Boy and the Heron’s (set during the events of WWII, 12-year-old Mahito Maki who evacuated to the countryside after the death of his mother) acclaimed director Hayao Miyazaki was already working on his next project.
Hayao Miyazaki’s Return from Retirement is No Surprise for Fans
During a recent red carpet interview at the Toronto International Film Festival, Studio Ghibli’s vice president, Junichi Nishioka, mentioned to CBC reporter Eli Glasner that the legendary director has been bringing in new movie ideas to the office after the international release of The Boy and the Heron.
“Other people say that this might be [Miyazaki’s] last film, but he doesn’t feel that way at all.”
He continued:
“He is currently working on ideas for a new film. He comes into his office every day and does that. This time, he’s not going to announce his retirement at all. He’s continuing working just as he has always done.”
Studio Ghibli’s vice president didn’t share any details about Hayao Miyazaki‘s next project or his role in its production. But for those who are familiar with Miyazaki’s career, this news would not appear as a shock to them, as this is not the first time he is coming out of retirement.
The legendary animator initially wanted to stop making feature-length films after Princess Mononoke in 1997. He cited his age and difficulties in producing massive projects as reasons.
He then announced his retirement once more in 2013 following The Wind Rises. However, he remained involved with the studio’s productions for a few years before officially returning in 2018 to direct The Boy and the Heron.
Hayao Miyazaki’s The Boy and the Heron Still Has a Long Way to Go to Turn a Profit
The Boy and the Heron was scheduled for a theatrical release in Japan on July 14, 2023. Now, the Studio Ghibli film will be coming to the U.S. soon. The Boy and the Heron has already grossed $13.2 million (1.83 billion yen) in its opening weekend, becoming the biggest opening in Studio Ghibli’s.
But the movie still has a long way to go to turn a profit. According to SoreNews24, Toshio Suzuki (one of the movie’s producers) appeared on the YouTube talk show Hiroyuki no Ikisakimitei, discussing the film and how much Studio Ghibli spent to make it.
“I think that we spent more money making [The Boy and the Heron] than any other movie that’s ever been made in Japan, probably.”
The Boy and the Heron (after a month) has made over 6.23 billion yen (about US$43.3 million). That’s substantial — especially considering there was no advertising or preview trailers for the movie. But this doesn’t guarantee the movie’s financial success because it is said to be the most expensive Japanese film ever made. So, the Studio Ghibli film needs to do exceptionally well at the box office to make a considerable profit in North America.
The Boy and the Heron will be released in theaters nationwide, including IMAX screenings, on December 8.
Source: CBR
