Rinko Kikuchi lands female lead in Pacific Rim

Oh Rinko Kikuchi. How I adore you. >sigh< Ever since I first saw you in your Oscar nominated performance in Babel, how I hoped you'd become more than just a one-hit wonder. As if you were reading my mind, you joined the sophomore film from one of my favorite directors, Rian Johnson. Yes, you were one of the reasons I saw The Brothers Bloom four times that year. And now you've deemed to make me happy yet again, as the lead in Guillermo Del Toro's giant monster film, Pacific Rim. Are we sharing the same brain? Is this fate?

A press release by Legendary Pictures confirms her involvement, where she'll play Mako Mori, a young Japanese mech pilot who helps the humans battle the monster invasion. She'll join Idris Elba, Charlie Hunnam, and Charlie Day. Day can be seen this weekend in the comedy, Horrible Bosses.  Shooting on Pacific Rim should begin in the fall, with a July 12th 2013 release still far off.

My love for Kikuchi aside, it hasn't been all good. I did buy Assault Girls just because she was in it, and it was pretty dreadful. This past year has seen her in the festival darling, Norwegian Wood. She'll also be featured opposite Keanu Reeves in 47 Ronin.