Takuya Kimura Withdraws from Hong Kong Film Amid Japan-China Tensions

On March 6, 2026, Takuya Kimura, known as the “King of Japan,” was scheduled to return to the Hong Kong big screen after 20 years in a hot production, the sequel Kowloon Walled City: Final Battle, continuing the “historic showdown” of the original. However, during the early filming schedule, production was halted, and the cast was changed, with Daniel Wu from Hong Kong replacing him.

According to an exclusive report by Sing Tao Daily on March 6, Kimura had formally withdrawn from the project earlier this year. He had begun role training in preparation for filming the sequel to the 2024 hit Kowloon Walled City Siege. 

The original film earned 110 million HKD at the Hong Kong box office and swept nine major awards at the 43rd Hong Kong Film Awards. In Japan, it grossed 500 million JPY (≈25 million USD), bringing stars like Louis Koo and Gigi Leung huge popularity. Director Benny Chan had hoped Kimura’s return would increase Japanese box office appeal — a major opportunity for Kimura since 2004’s 2046.

However, ongoing tensions between Japan and China led the production team to ultimately cancel Kimura’s participation. While disappointed, Kimura accepted the reality. Daniel Wu replaced him, alongside Louis Koo and Gigi Leung, marking Wu’s return to major productions since The Heroic Trio 1994.

Japanese media note this decision as a consequence of Japan-China tensions. Fans across Japan and Hong Kong have mixed reactions. Most Japanese outlets echo the same phrasing: “The Japan-China tensions influenced the decision,” noting Kimura’s withdrawal and replacement by Daniel Wu. Other outlets like Yomiuri Shimbun and Sankei Shimbun reported similarly.

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The reports also highlight that the original film, Twilight Warriors: Kowloon Walled City Siege, grossed 600 million JPY in Japan, triggering a Hong Kong box office boom, though political tensions caused delays in the sequel. Japanese netizens commented, “Politics shouldn’t interfere with entertainment” or “It’s a shame Kimura couldn’t do the historic showdown.”

This incident also sparked associations with past anecdotes of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who previously referred to one of Kimura’s works as her “treasure.” During a 2026 plane broadcast, she reportedly commented on Kimura’s 1996 classic work, making Kimura emotional on the spot. The story became a hot topic on Japanese social media, with fans praising Kimura’s enduring charm under serious circumstances.

It remains unclear whether this will ultimately affect his entertainment projects. YouTube videos already highlight the difficulty of separating politics and entertainment.