The Bad Lieutenant pseudo-franchise remains one of Hollywood’s most unconventional pieces of intellectual property, and now, it’s heading to Japan with a new vision from Takashi Miike.
Originally launched with Abel Ferrara’s 1992 film starring Harvey Keitel as a corrupt, unnamed NYPD officer, the story explored themes of addiction, morality, and faith amid urban decay.
Despite Ferrara’s lack of interest in continuing the story, the concept resurfaced nearly two decades later when Werner Herzog directed Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans, starring Nicolas Cage in a similarly unhinged role.
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While the two films share no official continuity — and Ferrara famously disavowed Herzog’s version — they have remained culturally linked among cinephiles. Now, Miike, one of Japan’s most prolific and boundary-pushing directors, is bringing his own interpretation to the loose “franchise” with Bad Lieutenant: Tokyo.
According to IndieWire, the upcoming neo-noir is written by Miike’s longtime collaborator Daisuke Tengan and stars Lily James, Shun Oguri, and WWE wrestler Liv Morgan.
Set against the backdrop of Tokyo’s neon-lit streets, the film centers on a disgraced detective descending into a web of crime and personal collapse.
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An official synopsis for the film reads: “A disgraced Tokyo detective spirals into a world of corruption, addiction, and violence as he becomes entangled in a twisted investigation involving a vengeful ex-yakuza, an enigmatic FBI agent, and a missing daughter of a powerful American family.”
Miike previously shared his ambitions for the project in a 2025 statement, saying: “A team of incredibly talented actors and crew has gathered in Tokyo. Now. I’m about to throw a fastball straight down the middle of your strike zone — no tricks, no gimmicks. I’m confident we are about to break through every limit, to create unforgettable entertainment. Get ready for the ride with us!!”
Bad Lieutenant: Tokyo is set to premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, with Neon handling domestic distribution and international sales. A release date has yet to be announced.
