# How Keanu Reeves Landed in Stop-Motion Samurai Epic ‘Hidari’ – and Why S.S. Rajamouli Wanted to Know How It Was Made

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/how-keanu-reeves-landed-in-stop-motion-samurai-epic-hidari-and-why-s-s-rajamouli-wanted-to-know-how-it-was-made/
- Published: 2026-10-31T04:38:17+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-31T05:08:22+00:00
- Original publisher: Variety
- Original article: https://variety.com/2026/film/festivals/keanu-reeves-hidari-ss-rajamouli-1236935934/
- Topics: Asia, Entertainment, Film, Software, Technology, World

## Key points

- Keanu Reeves joined “Hidari” after seeing its pilot.
- The short has about 5.3 million YouTube views.
- The team is still seeking funding and overseas partners.

## Summary

Japanese filmmaker Kawamura Masashi says Keanu Reeves agreed to discuss voicing the lead in stop-motion samurai film “Hidari” after watching its pilot. The project has also drawn interest from “RRR” director S.S. Rajamouli, while its team seeks funding and international partners for a costly production.

The proof-of-concept short, made with crowdfunding about three years ago, has gained around 5.3 million YouTube views and 120,000 followers, many overseas. The filmmakers have taken a hand-carved puppet to industry events, pitching “Hidari” as an action film as well as stop-motion; an earlier offer from a US company to cover the full budget in return for all rights stalled.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.