GANTZ live action movie, an adaptation of sci-fi manga/anime by Hiroya Oku, is slated to be released in 300 theaters across the United States on January 2011. It is said that the showing will be one week earlier than that of Japan.

The special announcement was made on the Tokyo JCB Hall during the press conference after the premier screening of GANTZ live action movie. Present in the event are the lead stars Ninomiya Kazunari (Arashi) and actor Matsuyama Kenichi.

After the announcement was made, Ninomiya commented, “There are so many people in the world who love GANTZ, and GANTZ fans will be happy… its a great thing.” Matsuyama added, “I wonder why the movie will be released in America first. I don’t understand why Japan is later, but this will be a great opportunity.”

Gantz live action movie tells the story of Kei Kurono and his friend Masaru Kato who die in a train accident and become part of a semi-posthumous "game" in which they and several other recently deceased people are forced to hunt down and kill aliens armed with a handful of futuristic items of equipment and weaponry.

Gantz live action movie will be directed by Shinsuke Sato (The Princess Blade, Suna-dokei, Oblivion Island: Haruka and the Magic Mirror) and will be shown in two parts: the first part will open this January 29th, 2011, and the next part hitting screens later in the spring of 2011.

Source: Oricon via TokyoHive