hollywood whitewash: japanese novel adaptation all you need is kill... starring ryan gosling?

While doing an interview for his latest film Fair Game, director Doug Liman was asked about his possible next project, the sci-fi flick All You Need is Kill, which is based on the Japanese novel by Hiroshi Sakurazaka... though you probably won't know that from the movie adaptation:

CS: I think "All You Need is Kill" is one of the ones you've been eyeing next, which is interesting because it's based on a Japanese book, so are you going to go for Japanese lead actors?

Liman: No, it's totally American.

Well, I guess that settles it. It's totally American. There will be totally no Japanese-ness in All You Need Is Kill. In the film's script, the main character "Keiji Kiriya" has been conveniently changed to "Private Billy Cage." Well, duh. I mean that's "totally American" and just easier to pronounce.

Word on the street is, the part of Billy Cage has been offered to Ryan Gosling, who -- surprise! -- is not an Asian actor. Yup. Business as usual. The book actually sounds pretty cool. I'm going to have to check it out... then avoid the movie. Here's some more info on the story: Warner Bros. Decides 'All You Need is Kill.'