On January 13, it was announced that NEWS member Kato Shigeaki's (27) first novel 'Pink and Grey' will be adopted into film, with Hey! Say! JUMP's Nakajima Yuto (21) starring as the lead. 

 

'Pink and Grey' was published in 2012 with 160,000 copies issued; the novel is set in the entertainment world. The protagonist is an unknown actor, while his friend is a famous actor who dies in front of him.

The film adaptation will be directed by Yukisada Isao, who also directed the film, 'Sekai no Chushin de, Ai o Sakebu.' In this film-adaptation, it is said that the original story is boldly arranged by the director and its scenario writer as it will also depict an episode which was not written in the novel.

Along with Nakajima, Suda Masaki, Kaho, Kishii Yukino, and Yagira Yuya have been chosen as the casts for the film.

 

Kato, who is the first Johnny's talent to write a novel and have a film adaptation for the novel spoke gratefully with, "When I wrote the novel, I did not even dream of having it being adapted into a film." He also gave a shout-out to the film's star Nakajima, who is his junior at Johnny's, with, "There are very few opportunities for juniors to act in films, but if it is Nakajima, I believe he will do well!"

Nakajima, who received the seal of approval from his senior [Kato], responded with, "I do not know how I truly feel, since it doesn't seem real yet, but I am surprised. I will show you a side of me that has not yet been seen [in the film]!"

Filming will begin in the middle of January. The film is set to be released next year.

Source and Image: Sanspo + natalie