An actual Japanese guy joins the cast of Godzilla

Warner Brothers announced that principle photography has officially begun in Vancouver on a new big-budget modern movie reboot of Godzilla, directed by Gareth Edwards, with a cast that includes Juliette Binoche, Brian Cranston, David Strathairn, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Elizabeth Olsen, among others.

But sorely missing from this ensemble was anyone resembling the fierce movie monster's Japanese roots. Maybe that's why they announced that Ken Watanabe, Actual Japanese Person -- and lately, the studio's go-to Asian guy -- had also joined the cast "Godzilla" Begins Shooting; Ken Watanabe Joins Cast.

There is an actual Japanese person in the 'Akira' remake

This news might not matter much to folks who have all but given up on the live-action Akira remake...

It's being reported that Gary Oldman has passed on the role of The Colonel, and the part has been offered to Ken Watanabe instead: BREAKING: No Oldman For AKIRA, WB Offering The Colonel To Ken Watanabe.

Seems like Watanabe has become Warner Brothers' go-to actor when they need an Asian guy up in there. Then again, he was their second choice for the role. But he does feel like a perfect fit for The Colonel.