Hiroyuki Sanada

Hiroyuki Sanada (真田 広之, Sanada Hiroyuki, born Hiroyuki Shimosawa (下澤 廣之, Shimosawa Hiroyuki); 12 October 1960) is a Japanese actor from Tokyo. Before breaking in to the movie business, he trained at Sonny Chiba’s Japan Action Club hoping to one day become a martial arts action film star. Sanada appeared in many action films in the 70s and early 80s, but as it became clear he was actually a talented and well-rounded actor, he was able to branch out into all different types of roles in every genre. Today he is best known in the west for his involvement in big-budget Hollywood productions such as The Last Samurai and Rush Hour 3.

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47 Ronin (2013)

Kai—an outcast—joins Oishi, the leader of 47 outcast samurai. Together they seek vengeance upon the treacherous overlord who killed their master and banished their kind. To restore honour to their homeland, the warriors embark upon a quest that challenges them ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Carl Rinsch
CAST:  Keanu Reeves  •  Hiroyuki Sanada  •  Ko Shibasaki  •  Tadanobu Asano

Kai—an outcast—joins Oishi, the leader of 47 outcast samurai. Together they seek vengeance upon the treacherous overlord who killed their master and banished their kind. To restore honour to their homeland, the warriors embark upon a quest that challenges them ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Carl Rinsch
CAST:  Keanu Reeves  •  Hiroyuki Sanada  •  Ko Shibasaki  •  Tadanobu Asano

Sunshine (2007)

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Fifty years into the future, the sun is dying, and Earth is threatened by arctic temperatures. A team of astronauts is sent to revive the Sun — but the mission fails. Seven years later, a new team is sent to finish the mission as mankind’s last hope.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Danny Boyle
CAST:  Cillian Murphy  •  Rose Byrne  •  Chris Evans  •  Michelle Yeoh

Fifty years into the future, the sun is dying, and Earth is threatened by arctic temperatures. A team of astronauts is sent to revive the Sun — but the mission fails. Seven years later, a new team is sent to finish the mission as mankind’s last hope.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Danny Boyle
CAST:  Cillian Murphy  •  Rose Byrne  •  Chris Evans  •  Michelle Yeoh

Onmyoji: The Yin Yang Master (2001)

During a dark time in the Heian period, when evil forces threaten the kingdom, the emperor relies on the Onmyoji to keep the supernatural forces in line. But as political events become highly charged, friction within the order leads to betrayal. Now, Seimei (Mansai ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Yojiro Takita
CAST:  Sachiko Kokubu  •  Mansai Nomura  •  Hideaki Ito  •  Eriko Imai

During a dark time in the Heian period, when evil forces threaten the kingdom, the emperor relies on the Onmyoji to keep the supernatural forces in line. But as political events become highly charged, friction within the order leads to betrayal. Now, Seimei (Mansai ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Yojiro Takita
CAST:  Sachiko Kokubu  •  Mansai Nomura  •  Hideaki Ito  •  Eriko Imai

Ring (1998)

A mysterious video has been linked to a number of deaths, and when an inquisitive journalist finds the tape and views it herself, she sets in motion a chain of events that puts her own life in danger.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Hideo Nakata
CAST:  Nanako Matsushima  •  Miki Nakatani  •  Hiroyuki Sanada  •  Yûko Takeuchi

A mysterious video has been linked to a number of deaths, and when an inquisitive journalist finds the tape and views it herself, she sets in motion a chain of events that puts her own life in danger.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Hideo Nakata
CAST:  Nanako Matsushima  •  Miki Nakatani  •  Hiroyuki Sanada  •  Yûko Takeuchi

Ring 2 (1999)

While investigating the horrifying death of her boyfriend, Mai Takano learns about a videotape haunted by the spirit of a disturbing girl named Sadako, which kills anyone who watches it exactly one week later. When her boyfriend’s son, Yoichi, starts to develop the ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Hideo Nakata
CAST:  Miki Nakatani  •  Hitomi Sato  •  Kyoko Fukada  •  Fumiyo Kohinata

While investigating the horrifying death of her boyfriend, Mai Takano learns about a videotape haunted by the spirit of a disturbing girl named Sadako, which kills anyone who watches it exactly one week later. When her boyfriend’s son, Yoichi, starts to develop the ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Hideo Nakata
CAST:  Miki Nakatani  •  Hitomi Sato  •  Kyoko Fukada  •  Fumiyo Kohinata

Legend of the Eight Samurai (1983)

The evil Hikita clan rises from the dead to fulfill a curse on the Satomi clan by restoring the face of their warlord by using the skin of Princess Shizu. In the process of trying to capture her, the clan murders her entire family, but Princess Shizu escapes their ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Kinji Fukasaku
CAST:  Hiroko Yakushimaru  •  Hiroyuki Sanada  •  Sonny Chiba  •  Mari Natsuki

The evil Hikita clan rises from the dead to fulfill a curse on the Satomi clan by restoring the face of their warlord by using the skin of Princess Shizu. In the process of trying to capture her, the clan murders her entire family, but Princess Shizu escapes their ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Kinji Fukasaku
CAST:  Hiroko Yakushimaru  •  Hiroyuki Sanada  •  Sonny Chiba  •  Mari Natsuki

The Last Samurai (2003)

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Nathan Algren is an American hired to instruct the Japanese army in the ways of modern warfare, which finds him learning to respect the samurai and the honorable principles that rule them. Pressed to destroy the samurai's way of life in the name of modernization ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Edward Zwick
CAST:  Tom Cruise  •  Ken Watanabe  •  William Atherton  •  Chad Lindberg

Nathan Algren is an American hired to instruct the Japanese army in the ways of modern warfare, which finds him learning to respect the samurai and the honorable principles that rule them. Pressed to destroy the samurai's way of life in the name of modernization ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Edward Zwick
CAST:  Tom Cruise  •  Ken Watanabe  •  William Atherton  •  Chad Lindberg

The Promise (2005)

An orphaned girl, driven by poverty at such a young age, makes a promise with an enchantress. In return for beauty and the admiration of every man, she will never be with the man she loves. This spell cannot be broken unless the impossible happens: snow falling in ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Chen Kaige
CAST:  Cecilia Cheung  •  Liu Ye  •  Hong Chen  •  Cheng Qian

An orphaned girl, driven by poverty at such a young age, makes a promise with an enchantress. In return for beauty and the admiration of every man, she will never be with the man she loves. This spell cannot be broken unless the impossible happens: snow falling in ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Chen Kaige
CAST:  Cecilia Cheung  •  Liu Ye  •  Hong Chen  •  Cheng Qian

The Twilight Samurai (2002)

Seibei Iguchi leads a difficult life as a low ranking samurai at the turn of the nineteenth century. A widower with a meager income, Seibei struggles to take care of his two daughters and senile mother. New prospects seem to open up when the beautiful Tomoe, a ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Yoji Yamada
CAST:  Hiroyuki Sanada  •  Rie Miyazawa  •  Nenji Kobayashi  •  Mitsuru Fukikoshi

Seibei Iguchi leads a difficult life as a low ranking samurai at the turn of the nineteenth century. A widower with a meager income, Seibei struggles to take care of his two daughters and senile mother. New prospects seem to open up when the beautiful Tomoe, a ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Yoji Yamada
CAST:  Hiroyuki Sanada  •  Rie Miyazawa  •  Nenji Kobayashi  •  Mitsuru Fukikoshi

The White Countess (2005)

In 1930s Shanghai, 'The White Countess' is both Sofia—a fallen member of the Russian aristocracy—and a nightclub created by a blind American diplomat, who asks Sofia to be the centerpiece of the world he wants to create.  (more)

DIRECTION:  James Ivory
CAST:  Ralph Fiennes  •  Natasha Richardson  •  Hiroyuki Sanada  •  Lynn Redgrave

In 1930s Shanghai, 'The White Countess' is both Sofia—a fallen member of the Russian aristocracy—and a nightclub created by a blind American diplomat, who asks Sofia to be the centerpiece of the world he wants to create.  (more)

DIRECTION:  James Ivory
CAST:  Ralph Fiennes  •  Natasha Richardson  •  Hiroyuki Sanada  •  Lynn Redgrave

The Dagger of Kamui (1985)

A young boy named Jiro finds his mother and sister murdered in his home. Falsely accused of the crime, he flees from his village and meets a priest named Tenkai, who has him kill a rogue ninja named Tarouza. After fulfilling that task, Jiro undergoes training to ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Rintaro
CAST:  Hiroyuki Sanada  •  Tarō Ishida  •  Yuriko Yamamoto  •  Kaneto Shiozawa

A young boy named Jiro finds his mother and sister murdered in his home. Falsely accused of the crime, he flees from his village and meets a priest named Tenkai, who has him kill a rogue ninja named Tarouza. After fulfilling that task, Jiro undergoes training to ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Rintaro
CAST:  Hiroyuki Sanada  •  Tarō Ishida  •  Yuriko Yamamoto  •  Kaneto Shiozawa

Rush Hour 3 (2007)

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After a botched assassination attempt, the mismatched duo finds themselves in Paris, struggling to retrieve a precious list of names, as the murderous crime syndicate's henchmen try their best to stop them. Once more, Lee and Carter must fight their way through ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Brett Ratner
CAST:  Chris Tucker  •  Jackie Chan  •  Hiroyuki Sanada  •  Max von Sydow

After a botched assassination attempt, the mismatched duo finds themselves in Paris, struggling to retrieve a precious list of names, as the murderous crime syndicate's henchmen try their best to stop them. Once more, Lee and Carter must fight their way through ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Brett Ratner
CAST:  Chris Tucker  •  Jackie Chan  •  Hiroyuki Sanada  •  Max von Sydow

Mahjong Horoki (1984)

A mahjong neophyte loses everything to game master only to hone his skills, take on all challenges and plan for an ultimate revenge match.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Makoto Wada
CAST:  Hiroyuki Sanada  •  Takeshi Kaga  •  Mariko Kaga  •  Kaku Takashina

A mahjong neophyte loses everything to game master only to hone his skills, take on all challenges and plan for an ultimate revenge match.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Makoto Wada
CAST:  Hiroyuki Sanada  •  Takeshi Kaga  •  Mariko Kaga  •  Kaku Takashina

Kaito Ruby (1988)

Toru Hayashi is an unremarkable bachelor who lives with his mother, until one day a young woman named Rumi moves in in the apartment upstairs. Rumi is a self-proclaimed master thief, but she needs socially awkward Toru's help to actually kickstart her so-called career.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Makoto Wada
CAST:  Kyoko Koizumi  •  Hiroyuki Sanada  •  Taisaku Akino  •  Manami Fuji

Toru Hayashi is an unremarkable bachelor who lives with his mother, until one day a young woman named Rumi moves in in the apartment upstairs. Rumi is a self-proclaimed master thief, but she needs socially awkward Toru's help to actually kickstart her so-called career.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Makoto Wada
CAST:  Kyoko Koizumi  •  Hiroyuki Sanada  •  Taisaku Akino  •  Manami Fuji

East Meets West (1995)

A disgraced warrior planning the murder of a Japanese diplomat, and a ninja in the employ of a navy official are about to land in San Francisco when a band of thieves steal the money the diplomats are carrying. The two set off on a chase across the American west to ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Kihachi Okamoto
CAST:  Christopher Mayer  •  Hiroyuki Sanada  •  Scott Bachicha  •  Naoto Takenaka

A disgraced warrior planning the murder of a Japanese diplomat, and a ninja in the employ of a navy official are about to land in San Francisco when a band of thieves steal the money the diplomats are carrying. The two set off on a chase across the American west to ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Kihachi Okamoto
CAST:  Christopher Mayer  •  Hiroyuki Sanada  •  Scott Bachicha  •  Naoto Takenaka

Tsugumi (1990)

Tsugumi, who lives in a small seaside town, has been in delicate health from birth. Her parents spoiled her and she is rough and selfish. However, a few people are attracted by her beauty and unique character.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jun Ichikawa
CAST:  Riho Makise  •  Tomoko Nakajima  •  Yasuyo Shirashima  •  Hiroyuki Sanada

Tsugumi, who lives in a small seaside town, has been in delicate health from birth. Her parents spoiled her and she is rough and selfish. However, a few people are attracted by her beauty and unique character.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jun Ichikawa
CAST:  Riho Makise  •  Tomoko Nakajima  •  Yasuyo Shirashima  •  Hiroyuki Sanada

Vengeance for Sale (2002)

In a world where vendettas are officially sanctioned, the people sometimes needed help in carrying out their vengeance. Sanada Hiroyuki stars as Sukeroku the Helper, a ‘cool and rambling yakuza’ that has made a business out of helping victims carry out their ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Kihachi Okamoto
CAST:  Hiroyuki Sanada  •  Kyoka Suzuki  •  Takehiro Murata  •  Tatsuya Nakadai

In a world where vendettas are officially sanctioned, the people sometimes needed help in carrying out their vengeance. Sanada Hiroyuki stars as Sukeroku the Helper, a ‘cool and rambling yakuza’ that has made a business out of helping victims carry out their ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Kihachi Okamoto
CAST:  Hiroyuki Sanada  •  Kyoka Suzuki  •  Takehiro Murata  •  Tatsuya Nakadai

Aegis (2005)

The Isokaze, an Aegis-class escort vessel, sets sail on a routine training exercise, playing host to a platoon from the Fleet Training Group. No sooner is the Isokaze on open water, however, then the FTG reveal themselves to be terrorist stowaways who kill the ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Junji Sakamoto
CAST:  Hiroyuki Sanada  •  Akira Terao  •  Koichi Sato  •  Kiichi Nakai

The Isokaze, an Aegis-class escort vessel, sets sail on a routine training exercise, playing host to a platoon from the Fleet Training Group. No sooner is the Isokaze on open water, however, then the FTG reveal themselves to be terrorist stowaways who kill the ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Junji Sakamoto
CAST:  Hiroyuki Sanada  •  Akira Terao  •  Koichi Sato  •  Kiichi Nakai

Mortal Kombat (2021)

Washed-up MMA fighter Cole Young, unaware of his heritage, and hunted by Emperor Shang Tsung's best warrior, Sub-Zero, seeks out and trains with Earth's greatest champions as he prepares to stand against the enemies of Outworld in a high stakes battle for the universe.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Simon McQuoid
CAST:  Joe Taslim  •  Ludi Lin  •  Mehcad Brooks  •  Tadanobu Asano

Washed-up MMA fighter Cole Young, unaware of his heritage, and hunted by Emperor Shang Tsung's best warrior, Sub-Zero, seeks out and trains with Earth's greatest champions as he prepares to stand against the enemies of Outworld in a high stakes battle for the universe.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Simon McQuoid
CAST:  Joe Taslim  •  Ludi Lin  •  Mehcad Brooks  •  Tadanobu Asano

Kotaro, An Audacious Karate Boy (1984)

Lewd, long-haired karate kid Kotaro Shindo spends his days causing amok at the prestigious Tsurugamine Academy, until the Disciplinary Committee decides enough is enough, and puts a bounty on his luscious locks. Meanwhile other sinister forces are working in the ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Norifumi Suzuki
CAST:  Sonny Chiba  •  Mari Chihara  •  Tsuyoshi Ihara  •  Hikaru Kurosaki

Lewd, long-haired karate kid Kotaro Shindo spends his days causing amok at the prestigious Tsurugamine Academy, until the Disciplinary Committee decides enough is enough, and puts a bounty on his luscious locks. Meanwhile other sinister forces are working in the ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Norifumi Suzuki
CAST:  Sonny Chiba  •  Mari Chihara  •  Tsuyoshi Ihara  •  Hikaru Kurosaki
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