Known as a sort of jack of all trades when it comes to Japanese entertainment, Takeshi Kitano has had experience with everything from comedy to video games.
Notably, Beat Takeshi’s role as Chief Daisuke Aramaki in the Scarlett Johansson adaptation of Ghost in the Shell was his first American film since his collaboration with pre-Matrix Reeves.
Though most English speaking audiences may know him for his appearances in the previously mentioned violent classic Battle Royale, on top of the David Bowie World War II drama Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence, and the Keanu Reeves cyberpunk romp Johnny Mnemonic.