"Kiki's Delivery Service" currently being made into a live-action movie

Hayao Miyazaki is one of the most popular icons (perhaps even greater than Walt Disney) in the world of animation and animated cinema. In some aspects, he can be considered as a god when it comes to animated cinema. One of his timeless cinematic gems "Kiki's Delivery Service" has now been adapted into a live-action movie. Director Shimizu Takashi who is known for directing Ju-On and The Grudge (Hollywood version/remake of Ju-on) will be taking time away from his horror roots into the more light, fun and fantastical world of Kiki's Delivery Service. The movie is currently in active production, and is set for a 2014 release. [more details, such as a production still, after the jump]

Originally, the Miyazaki animated movie "Kiki's Delivery Service" was originally based on the 1985 novel of the same name by Eiko Kadono, an author of children's literature. According to Japanese reports, the live action version will go deeper into the story than did the animated version. While the previous animated feature adapted the first novel of the series, this new live action version will use material from the first two books.

The story of the book follows Kiki, a young witch, whose mother is also a witch, while her father isnt. Kiki, who is now thirteen, must spend a year on her own in a town without other witches. There, accompanied by her cat Jiji, she makes use of her magic abilities to earn a living by operating a broomstick powered courier service. 

This movie will star (16-year-old figure skater turned actress) Fuka Koshiba as the titular character of Kiki. The movie is scheduled for a Spring 2014 release date for Japan. No news as of yet for an international release date, or a Philippine release date for that matter.