Veteran Japanese star Sonny Chiba is to appear in Battle Royale 2, due for release later this year. Kinji Fukasaku, director of the controversial first film, was due to helm the sequel, but since his death last month his son Kenta has taken over the reins. 64-year-old Chiba was close friends with Kinji Fukasaku and appeared in many of his films – he will also be seen in 2003 in Quentin Tarantino's eagily-awaited Kill Bill.
