Japan upset South Africa during the 2015 RWC.GETTY IMAGES
Japan's "famous win" over South Africa at the 2015 Rugby World Cup, regarded by many as "one of the greatest sporting upsets of all time," will be turned into a movie, according to Rich Freeman of KYODO. Award-winning Australian writer and director Max Mannix said that while there were still a "few logistical issues to sort out," filming of the movie tentatively titled "The Brighton Miracle" will start in January on Australia's Gold Coast. Mannix: "What [then-Japan rugby Manager] Eddie Jones and his team did in 2015 was truly magnificent and worthy of being remembered. The story goes beyond rugby in the same way 'Chariots of Fire' wasn't just about running. That was more a film about distinction between class, belief and religion." The 53-year-old former professional rugby league player, who has spent much of his time as a writer and director in Japan, confirmed an int'l cast had been assembled, with New Zealand actor Temuera Morrison to take the role of Jones and Australian Uli Latukefu portraying Brave Blossoms captain Michael Leitch. Sam Neill will play Jones' father, while Youki Kudoh will play his mother and Mariko Tsutsui will take the part of Jones' wife, Hiroko (KYODO, 10/3).
