Academy Award® Winning Actor Brendan Fraser Delivers Career-Best Performance Alongside Diverse Japanese Cast in 'Rental Family' Blu-ray + DVD Set, Releasing July 1, 2026 (Wednesday)!

A heartfelt masterpiece, “Made in Japan,” for the world to experience for the first time! Walt Disney Japan Co., Ltd. (Minato-ku, Tokyo) will release the moving and highly anticipated film “Rental Family,” starring Academy Award® winning actor Brendan Fraser, as a Blu-ray + DVD set on Wednesday, July 1, 2026. The story follows Philip, a down-and-out actor living in Tokyo, who one day encounters a peculiar job: “rental family.” As he plays a family member for clients in their lives, Philip himself gradually rediscovers the joy of living that he had nearly lost through connections with others. It is a story that humorously and warmly depicts a man grappling with loneliness in a foreign city, transforming himself by embracing the lives of others. Lead actor Brendan Fraser meticulously portrays the emotional fluctuations of the protagonist Philip with subtle expressions, bringing profound depth to the story through his collaboration with Japanese cast members. The ensemble cast includes leading Japanese veteran actors, and their cross-cultural and cross-linguistic acting exchanges create a rich worldview unique to this film. Director HIKARI, with the perspective of an internationally acclaimed filmmaker, movingly depicts the connections between people and the roles they play in each other's lives. Furthermore, the film features location shooting across Japan, including the cityscapes of Tokyo. The vibrant and tranquil co-existence of Japanese landscapes, unique to the country, and the subtle kindness of people living their daily lives are meticulously portrayed. The setting itself mirrors the characters' emotions, creating a visual beauty that allows for a rediscovery of Japan's new charm, and stands as a major highlight of the film. The Blu-ray + DVD set and digital purchase release will include substantial bonus content, primarily focusing on “Making of ‘Rental Family’” which delves into the filming process set in Japan, as well as unreleased scenes that were unfortunately not included in the main feature. Please enjoy the “Made in Japan” masterpiece “Rental Family,” filled with emotions the world will experience for the first time, available on Blu-ray + DVD set and digital purchase/rental! ### STORY Philip, a down-on-his-luck actor living in Tokyo, felt comfortable in his life in Japan but was gradually losing sight of his true self. Then he encountered a job called “rental family.” As he entered the lives of others, playing the role of a “temporary” family member or friend, he began to experience a “life” he never imagined. What he found there was the “joy of living.” An emotionally resonant masterpiece, “Made in Japan” for the world to experience for the first time, presented by Academy Award® winning actor Brendan Fraser and director HIKARI, along with a diverse cast representing Japan, filmed 100% on location in Japan. ### PRODUCTION NOTE #### A Quiet Yet Powerful Story of Rebirth, Portraying a Wavering Heart in a Foreign Land Drawing from his own experience of moving to the U.S. from Osaka, director HIKARI penned the script for this film, which explores loneliness and rebirth in a foreign land. The protagonist, Philip, is an actor who lost his job in Tokyo and gradually regains connections with others through the unique profession of “rental family.” At the heart of this narrative is Brendan Fraser, who gained renewed acclaim for “The Whale” (23). Before coming to Japan, he studied Japanese, walked the streets of Tokyo, actively conversed with people, and absorbed the local atmosphere into his body. Fraser’s deep immersion into the role brought quiet persuasiveness to the work and drew out performances from his co-stars. A deep trust naturally formed on set, shaping the delicate atmosphere unique to this film. #### A Quietly Moving Acting Duel Woven by Brendan Fraser and Akira Emoto In this film, Fraser plays Philip, a protagonist living with loneliness in Tokyo. With delicate gazes and a quiet demeanor, he reflects unspoken emotional shifts, lending convincing power to his journey of gradually regaining connections with others in a foreign land. In contrast, Akira Emoto embodies the complex emotions of a person who has lived a long life with rich expressions and refined physicality, leaving a deep resonance in the story with his presence combining warmth and sorrow. The direct confrontation between two actors from different countries and careers has created a rich depth that transcends language and culture, remaining in the hearts of viewers. ### STAFF & CAST #### Director: HIKARI Screenplay: HIKARI, Stephen Blayhat Producers: Eddie Vaisman, p.g.a, Julia Lebedev, p.g.a, HIKARI, p.g.a, Shin Yamaguchi, p.g.a Executive Producer: Ji