It has been almost four years ago that the producer icon Edward R. Pressman announced that it would make an extraordinary franchise out of “Bad Lieutenant”. Now this is finally being realized – albeit without the pressman that has died in the meantime.
The independent film producer Edward R. Pressman Hollywood shaped and promoted filmmakers such as Oliver Stone, Brian de Palma or Sylvester Stallone. Abel Ferrara is one of his greatest successes as a cult thriller “Bad Lieutenant“With Harvey Keitel from 1992. Pressman made the impressive remake”Bad Lieutenant – COP without a certain“.
The producer then thought even bigger at the end of his life. In 2021 Pressman announced that it would make “Bad Lieutenant” offshoots all over the world. Deals for new editions in Great Britain, Italy, South Korea, Argentina and even Germany are already on the way, other goods are planned. But then his health came in his way. In 2023 Pressman finally died. Now his son continues the father’s idea – but first in another country.
Takashi Miike makes “Bad Lieutenant: Tokyo”
Sam Pressman Together with the Pressman Senior, a long career in the world’s independent cinema makes Oscar Prize winners Jeremy Thomas (“The Last Emperor”) and the Hollywood forge Neon (most recently Oscar success “Anora”) the first of possibly several offshoots, which actually turns “Bad Lieutenant” a franchise.
“”Bad Lieutenant: Tokyo“Tickets us – the title already makes it clear – to Japan. For the direction you could Takashi Miike win. The legendary filmmaker, who has already staged well over 100 works, has left its mark on with titles such as “Audition” or “Ichi the Killer” and seems like an ideal choice to stage a tough cop thriller.
Happed the main role Shun Oguriwho has already made four films with Miike and has already gained Hollywood experience with “Godzilla vs. Kong”. At his side is the British actress Lily James (“Pam & Tommy”, “The Iron Claw”). Also included is the American wrestler Gionna that Daddio, better known as her ring name Liv Morgan. The script comes from Daisuke Tenganwho has already written “Audition”, “13 Assassins” and the “Masters of Horror” episode “Imprint” for Miike.
This is the story of “Bad Lieutenant: Tokyo”
Shun Oguri plays the title -giving Bad Lieutenant, a wicked police officer who finances his gambling addiction by having his hand to collect lubricating money. But when a mysterious FBI agent (Lily James) appears in Tokyo to investigate the disappearance of a political daughter (Liv Morgan), his previous world is stirred up. Meanwhile, a killer from the Yakuza underworld seems to follow each of her steps.
In the official announcement of the project, Sam Pressman explains that he also makes the film for his father. He was always convinced that “this story of corruption – both the police and the human soul – has a worldwide response”. Therefore, he is pleased to realize the next development of the series in Tokyo with director Miike, Neon and his father’s lifelong friend, Jeremy Thomas, “.
A “tirelessly wild and unique” adaptation – against the usual franchification?
According to the Pressman, “true believers are working together on the power of the independent cinema”which also gives a picture of his vision that he has for the “Bad Lieutenant” franchise: “Director Miike brings a fearless new vision for the Bad Lieutenant, a figure that was shaped by an author. Just like the master Ferrara and Duke made films as radically different as their own voices, MiiKe’s adaptation is tirelessly wild and unique.”
The subliminal message: While franchises otherwise come across as uniform products, you want to create very different works with strong voices, which are only united by their common topic. After all, Herzog’s version was not a real remake, but an independent new contribution. While Ferrara was concerned with Catholic guilt, Herzog then dominates more existentialist madness. And now with Miike?
In the official announcement, the director makes it clear with a baseball metaphor that there is no compromise and no genre unity porridge: “I will throw you a fast ball in the middle of the strike zone-without tricks, without gimmicks. I am confident that we are in the process of blowing up all borders to create unforgettable entertainment. Get ready for the trip with us! “
We do not yet know when this trip should begin in the cinema and “Bad Lieutenant: Tokyo”. However, filming started in May, so that a publication 2026 seems very likely to us. It is not known which other offshoots could follow. Of course, we are eagerly awaiting the news whether – as announced in 2021 – a German version is also planned.
Incidentally, it is not the only exciting project by Takashi Miike, which became known this week. There is more about another in the following article:
