[caption id="attachment_214566" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Left: Ninagawa Mika, Right: Sawajiri Erika"][/caption]

It's been announced that Okazaki Kyoko's manga, "Helter Skelter", will get a live-action adaptation starring Sawajiri Erika.

The manga received the 8th Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize (Grand Prize) in 2004, and possesses a fairly intense story. "Helter Skelter" revolves around the protagonist, 'Ririko' (played by Sawajiri), who received cosmetic surgery on her entire body, thus allowing her to become a shining top star in the�entertainment�industry. Eventually, however, her body starts to deteriorate due to the after-effects of the procedures. During this time, 'Ririko' causes many incidents one right after another, drawing people around her into the fray.

The movie will be directed by Ninagawa Mika, and marks her second project after 2007's "Sakuran". According to Ninagawa, it took over 7 years for this movie adaptation to unfold.

"I have wanted to make the 'Helter Skelter' movie even before I made 'Sakuran'," she said. "I have never waited for something this long in my entire life, and I am really excited that I will be able to start filming this finally."

Ninagawa also revealed that she aspired to cast Sawajiri particularly for this movie. "I can't think of anyone else who could play this character, a character that possesses both the astonishing fragility and the impudent toughness of a woman, other than Sawajiri Erika, who kept receiving cheers and boos in turns."

Sawajiri herself commented, "I was shocked by the original work, and have wished to play 'Ririko' for a very long time. �'Ririko' is a worthwhile role; people around me even say that this would suit me well. �I can't wait to see how I would be infected in the Mika world. Since it will be the work where I'll be starring alongside great cast members and working with� first-class staff�members, �I would like to face this challenge and work the movie with them. I'm fired up enough. �I, Sawajiri, will make a serious effort as an actress."

Aside from Sawajiri, Omori Nao, Terajima Shinobu, Mizuhara Kiko, Suzuki Anne, Terajima Susumu, Aikawa Sho, Kubozuka Yosuke, Harada Mieko, and Momoi Kaori will also appear�in the movie.

"Helter Skelter" is scheduled to be released on July 14th.

Source & Image: Oricon