Rumours that Takashi Shimizu would be directing a live-action film adaptation of Kiki’s Delivery Service, Eiko Kadono’s children’s fantasy novel series (not the 1989 Studio Ghibli film), have been confirmed. Shimizu is best known for his Ju-on (The Grudge) horror films, so it will be interesting to see how he handles a children’s story. The film is scheduled to be released in Japan in spring 2014.

The role of the 13-year-old witch, Kiki, will be played by 16-year-old Fuka Koshiba, who was chosen from approximately 500 candidates, and this will be her first acting job. In order to make sure Kiki’s flying scenes look beautiful, Koshiba is currently doing practice swings with the bokken (wooden sword for practice) 200 times everyday.

Shooting for the film will begin on an island in the Seto Inland Sea in Japan around the end of May.