Gaga pitches baseball biopic ‘One Last Throw’ at Busan market

EXCLUSIVE: Japan’s Gaga Corporation has secured sales rights to baseball drama One Last Throw and is introducing buyers to the upcoming feature at the Asian Contents & Film Market (ACFM) in Busan.

The film is based on the life of baseball player Shintaro Yokota, who joined the Hanshin Tigers in 2014-before being diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2017. The story charts his diagnosis, his attempt at a comeback and the ‘miracle’ that occurred at his final game. The athlete died in 2023 aged 28.

The feature is directed by Jun Akiyama, known for 2022’s 20-Year-Old Soul, reuniting him with screenwriter Yuriko Nakai. The cast is led by Takaya Matsutani as Yokota and while his mother is played by Kyoka Suzuki, known for roles in Godzilla vs. Biollante, Welcome Back, Mr. McDonald and Grande Maison Paris.

It is set to premiere at Tokyo International Film Festival ahead of a local release, which Gaga will handle on November 28.