Cynthia Erivo Cast in Lionsgate’s Samurai-Themed Action-Thriller “Karoshi”

by Annika March 6, 2025

Cynthia Erivo, a multi-award-winning actress and recent Oscar nominee for her role in Wicked, has secured her latest film role in the action-thriller ‘Karoshi’. Erivo will star alongside Teo Yoo and Isabel May in this unique project by Lionsgate, set to begin production in June. The film combines elements of corporate drama and samurai, set in a Japanese-influenced New York City. Erivo continues to make her mark in the industry, with upcoming roles in Jesus Christ Superstar, the 2025 Tony Awards, and a guest appearance on Poker Face.

Cynthia Erivo Cast in Lionsgate’s Samurai-Themed Action-Thriller “Karoshi”

– Cynthia Erivo, known for her theater, film, and music performances, has joined the cast of Lionsgate’s action-thriller “Karoshi,” which is set in a Japanese-influenced New York and includes a revenge twist.
– The film, scripted and directed by Takashi Doscher, also stars Teo Yoo and Isabel May; production is scheduled to start in June.
– In addition to her film projects, Erivo is currently set to play the lead role in “Jesus Christ Superstar” at the Hollywood Bowl, host the 2025 Tony Awards, and has announced an upcoming album.

Cynthia Erivo, the actress renowned for her Emmy, Grammy, and Tony-winning performances, attended last week’s Oscars due to her nomination for her role in Wicked. Following on from this, she has now secured her next movie role.

She has joined the cast of Karoshi, alongside Teo Yoo, a rising star from the movie Past Lives, and Isabel May, known for her role in the 1923 film. The film is a different and intriguing action-thriller produced by Lionsgate.

The script of Karoshi has been penned and will be directed by Takashi Doscher. Doscher was previously behind the successful 2019 post-apocalyptic thriller, Only.

While detailed information regarding the plot and characters remain confidential, we do know that Karoshi is a corporate thriller with a distinct samurai twist. The narrative is set in a version of New York City heavily influenced by Japanese culture, featuring a revenge-based storyline. The title of the film, “karoshi,” is a Japanese term that denotes an unexpected and unexplained death resulting from excessive work.

The production of Karoshi is expected to commence in June. The movie is being produced by 87Eleven Entertainment’s Chad Stahelski, Alex Young, and Jason Spitz in collaboration with Lionsgate.

Erivo was applauded for her position as the green witch Elphaba in Universal’s Wicked, a role she will revisit in Wicked: For Good, which will be released on November 21. She also received acclamations for her performance in the opening number at the Oscars ceremony last Sunday.

Earlier this week, it was revealed that Erivo would play the lead in the Hollywood Bowl production of Jesus Christ Superstar and host the Tony Awards in 2025. Currently, she is working on the film Children of Blood and Bone alongside an esteemed cast including Viola Davis and Idris Elba. Her upcoming projects also include a guest appearance in the new season of Poker Face.

Besides her successful acting career, Erivo is also a national figure in the music industry. She announced a forthcoming album and released the debut single “Replay” from the album on February 28.