Interview: Ken Watanabe on Navigating Hollywood and his New Film ‘Kokuho’

Since its world premiere at the 78th Cannes Film Festival in May 2025, Lee Sang-il’s Kokuho (National Treasure) has evolved into a historic cinematic achievement. Based on the acclaimed novel by Shuichi Yoshida and written by Satoko Okudera, the film has shattered records to become the highest-grossing Japanese live-action film of all time, earning over $117 million.

As Japan’s official entry for the 98th Academy Awards, the film has already secured a spot on the December shortlist, largely due to its meticulous direction and a powerhouse performance by Ken Watanabe (Inception, Batman Begins, Godzilla). Watanabe stars as Hanai Hanjiro II, the father of Shunsuke and a formidable master of traditional art who finds himself at the intersection of rigid legacy and the raw, disruptive talent of the newcomer Kikuo.

In a deep dive into his character, Watanabe described Hanjiro as a man who acts as a gatekeeper of tradition but is ultimately willing to sacrifice everything for the purity of the craft. When Hanjiro recognizes Kikuo’s talent, he makes the radical choice to bring him into the family, a move that is viewed as tragic for the Hanayi lineage but necessary for the art itself. Watanabe explained that Hanjiro “really puts everything on the line for the art form,” and noted that “for the Hanayi family, this is kind of a tragic thing. But he doesn’t necessarily see it that way because he views the art form itself as the most important thing.”

This unwavering commitment to the medium over personal sentiment is central to the film’s emotional weight. Watanabe hopes that younger audiences, especially those influenced by the filtered reality of social media, take away a sense of realism from these difficult choices. He observed that while social media suggests all tragedy can be avoided, “things don’t go the way we expect,” and he wants the younger generation to feel that unpredictable complexity.

Watanabe’s own career has followed a similarly uncompromising path. Whether working on a massive Hollywood production or a Japanese historical drama like Kokuho, his decisions are rooted in a simple search for good storytelling and a strong creative team.

He noted that his transition between Japanese and Hollywood films happened organically rather than through a rigid strategy, stating, “My compass is always universal…anywhere I can go, I’ll go.” He expressed optimism that the global “hurdle of language” is finally lowering, as international viewers become more accustomed to subtitles, allowing deep, culturally specific Japanese stories like Kokuho to resonate with a truly global audience.

Throughout his decades in the industry, Watanabe has been a fierce defender of authentic representation. He admitted that after the success of The Last Samurai, he was flooded with offers for “typical Asian or Japanese” characters that relied on stereotypes, which he consistently rejected. He believes in maintaining a balance between standing one’s ground and being open to the collaboration of a director.

“When I worked on Sea of Trees with Gus Van Sant, I suggested changes to the language and signs,” he said. “He understood those Japanese feelings, which made the process easier.”

He shared a famous example from the set of the 2014 American film Godzilla, where he refused to use the Westernized pronunciation of the monster’s name. “Godzilla is my icon in Japan,” he said, “I need to call it Gojira. I definitely would not change the name.” When the film screened in New York and he used the traditional name, the audience erupted in applause, proving that small, authentic details can have a massive impact.

This dedication to authenticity is a core piece of advice he offers to the next generation of actors. He suggests that those working overseas must identify the things they will never give up while remaining willing to “change completely 180” on things that aren’t essential to their identity. This meticulous nature extends to how he selects his projects today.

Watanabe explained that he thinks very hard before committing to a role, but once he says yes, he gives 100% of himself to the production. Rather than just the simple excitement of being on a film set, he is fueled by a deliberate focus on how he can improve the work. As he put it, “It’s more about the passion that I intentionally direct toward the project.” With Kokuho continuing its historic run, it is clear that Watanabe’s intentional passion has helped create a “national treasure” in its own right.