New Yamapi Movie to be Released in 2011

It has been announced today that NEWS member Yamashita Tomohisa has been chosen to be the lead actor for the upcoming live action film, Ashita no Joe. The movie will be released in 2011.

Ashita no Joe is a shounen manga written by Takamori Isao. The said manga was released way back in 1968.

A quick summary of the manga:

Joe Yabuki is a young man living in the slums of Tokyo. But, one day he meets Danpei Tange, a former boxer, who discovers his potential in boxing and tries to make him into a champion. Due to petty crimes, Joe is sent to a juvenile prison. There Joe mets Toru Rikiishi, a promising boxer, who knocked him out with one blow when he attempted to escape prison. Slowly but surely, Joe realizes his own potential. Joe begins his boxing life, step by step, with only one goal in mind… To Defeat Toru Rikiishi !! –From Dragon and Tigers Manga

As of the moment, Yamapi is undergoing training in order to fit the role. On the picture above, you can see that Yamapi already has a muscular body. But it seems that he wanted to have a more sturdy built in order to fit the role.

Yamapi as a boxer… sounds interesting! And mind you, a definite eye candy. kekeke~ xD