Was Shogun Actress Anna Sawai Forced To Skip Suicide Squad Audition?

Rachel Kondo and Justin Marks’ critically commended historical drama, Shogun, ended its 10-episode stint last week. Both audiences and critics praised Anna Sawai for her depiction of the Toda Mariko. Speaking with The Hollywood Reporter (THR) about her career and possible relocation to Hollywood, Anna Sawai disclosed that her big break might have arrived much sooner but she was forced to pass up the opportunity. She missed the part of Katana in the 2016 Suicide Squad film because of her commitment to her J-Pop band, FAKY.

One of the biggest entertainment firms in Japan, Avex, which runs a dance and music boot camp with the goal of producing J-Pop stars, signed Anna Sawai after she had an audition in 2006.

“After the training — multiple years of training — you are either lucky and join a group, or debut as a solo singer, or you’re gone,” she explained.

Anna stated that having been granted permission to appear in the 2009 movie Ninja Assassin during her training is what first made her fall in love with acting. Before Anna Sawai joined FAKY in 2013 with four other young girls, she was reportedly told by her management that being a member of a popular girl group would help her break into the acting industry. However, she quickly discovered that extracurricular acting would not be allowed.

Anna Sawai recalled that she thought this was her chance when a “big audition” for an American film, Suicide Squad, came along and the directors “were looking for a Japanese girl.” She immediately went to her manager, who then told her: “You can’t audition.”

Anna Sawai continued by saying that they essentially informed her that the other girls at FAKY would have nothing to do with her if she was absent for more than a month. Although she objected, saying that the job would benefit the group, the decision was definitive.

Anna Sawai claimed, “It felt like they were really tying me down,” and was unable to leave until 2018 due to her contract.

In the end, Karen Fukuhara portrayed Katana; although Anna Sawai was unable to get the part, she did praise The Boys star. Sawai remarked, “She did an amazing job, and I respect her so much and I love her.”

“But also, I would have loved to audition for it,” she added.