Last night, I was at the Japan Society in New York City to meet Robert Whiting (author of "Tokyo Underworld").
He mentioned that there will be a HBO series about the yakuza coming soon called, what else, "Tokyo Underworld".
It's by the producers of the "Sopranos" and the pilot will be directed by Martin Scorsese.
Originally, it was suppose to be a feature film by Dreamworks, Paramount and Warner Bros.
It was also suppose to be a "3-hour R-rated epic with lots of sex and violence" that was turned into a "PG-13 comedy/drama with Ben Stiller's name attached to it".
There were 14 scripts written by Jason Cahill ("The Sopranos") and Nicholas Pileggi ("GoodFellas").
But was put on hold after being threatened by lawsuits and would be called "an embarrassment" to Japan.
However, HBO had the rights to the book and is now in production.
Sound like a good show. Can't wait to see it.
www.japanculture-nyc.com/2012/02/17/robert-whitings-adventures-in-the-tokyo-underworld/