WWE's Liv Morgan teams up with Lily James and Shun Oguri in Takashi Miike's Bad Lieutenant: Tokyo.

      Takashi Miike is currently on a creative streak, collaborating with some of the most notable figures in pop culture. The renowned and provocative Japanese filmmaker is teaming up with pop sensation Charli XCX, and he has also signed on for Bad Lieutenant: Tokyo with Neon, where he’s assembling an eclectic cast that may be one of his most unexpected yet.

      Miike will direct Shun Oguri (Godzilla vs. Kong) and Lily James (Pam & Tommy) in this new film, with one of the most surprising cast members being WWE superstar Liv Morgan. The flamboyant wrestler has previously dipped her toes into Hollywood, making a memorable cameo in Chucky.

      Bad Lieutenant: Tokyo will center on Bad Lieutenant (Oguri), a corrupt gambler in the Metropolitan Police Force, who gets caught up in a complex case after a mysterious FBI agent (James) comes to Tokyo to look into the disappearance of a politician’s daughter (Morgan). At the same time, a twisted killer lurking in the yakuza underworld appears to be tracking their every move.

      “A remarkable team of talented actors and crew is assembled in Tokyo. Now, I’m ready to deliver a fastball right down the middle of your strike zone – no tricks, no gimmicks. I’m confident we are about to push beyond all boundaries to create unforgettable entertainment. Prepare for the journey with us,” Miike shared.

      “We’re thrilled to reinterpret this iconic intellectual property with a master filmmaker like Takashi Miike,” commented producer Jeremy Thomas of Recorded Picture Company. “We’ve produced 10 films in Japan, most recently Grand Maison Paris, which has earned over $28 million domestically, making it a fruitful ground for creating and distributing films. I believe the time is perfect for this unconventional hybrid.”

      The film will be a co-production between the U.S. and Japan, produced by Jeremy Thomas for Recorded Picture Company, Sam Pressman for Pressman Film, Naoaki Kitajima for Nippon TV, and Misako Saka for OLM.

      For those unfamiliar, Miike has helmed over 100 films since 1991. He is celebrated for titles such as Audition, Ichi the Killer, Gozu, and 13 Assassins, but his body of work also encompasses shock art masterpieces, anime adaptations, and much more.

      “Director Miike introduces a bold new perspective to the Bad Lieutenant, a character shaped by the auteur. Just as maestros Ferrara and Herzog produced films that were as diverse as their own styles, Miike’s adaptation is fiercely unique and wild,” stated Sam Pressman, CEO of Pressman Film. “My father, Edward R. Pressman, always believed this narrative of corruption, both in the police force and human nature, resonates universally. To bring this next evolution to life now in Tokyo with Director Miike, NEON, and my father’s long-time friend Jeremy Thomas—who are all genuine advocates for the power of independent cinema—is both an honor and a dream come true.”

      Production for Bad Lieutenant: Tokyo is set to begin in May.