New "Fullmetal Alchemist 0" story is set immediately after Ed becomes State Alchemist

The official website for the live-action film of Hiromu Arakawa's Fullmetal Alchemist manga revealed the cover art and story on Friday for the new "special-edition comic" manga that Arakawa will draw as a a bonus for theatergoers for the live-action film. The new chapter is titled "Fullmetal Alchemist 0," and its story set immediately after Ed meets the qualifications to become a State Alchemist. The manga will be the first new manga that Arakawa has drawn for the franchise in seven years.

In addition, beginning on December 23, theatergoers will receive a 2018 poster calendar with art by Arakawa.

The film opened the Tokyo International Film Festival on October 25 for its world premiere. The film will have IMAX and 4DX screenings in Japan, and will open on about 400 screens in Japan on December 1.

The film will also open in over 190 countries around the world, including in the United States and Europe. According to the website, it will be the widest international opening for any Japanese film — live-action or animated. (The Japanese film industry often lists territories among "countries"; for example, Hong Kong is often listed separately from mainland China.)

Anime NYC will screen the film's United States premiere as its closing film on November 19. Director Fumihiko Sori will attend the screening.

The film stars Ryōsuke Yamada (Hey! Say! JUMP member and live-action Assassination Classroom's Nagisa) as Edward Elric, Atomu Mizuishi (Garo - Makai no Hana, Prince of Tennis 2nd season musicals) as Alphonse Elric (voice and motion capture), Tsubasa Honda (live-action Blue Spring Ride's Futaba) as Winry Rockbell, and Dean Fujioka (live-action Happy Marriage!?) as Roy Mustang. Other cast members include:

Fumiyo Kohinata as General Hakuro
Ryuta Sato as Maes Hughes
Misako Renbutsu as Riza Hawkeye
Natsuna as Maria Ross
Natsuki Harada as Gracia Hughes
Yo Oizumi as Shou Tucker
Jun Kunimura as Doctor Marco
Yasuko Matsuyuki as Lust
Kanata Hongou as Envy
Shinji Uchiyama as Gluttony
Kenjiro Ishimaru as Father Cornello

Misia will perform the film's theme song "Kimi no Soba ni Iru yo" (I'm By Your Side).

The film tells the story in one complete film. Ed is being aged up to 20 years old; he was originally 15 in the manga. Alphonse will be rendered in full CG.

Source: Comic Natalie