Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Emily Blunt join The Wind Rises

Joseph Gordon-Levitt [Photo/Agencies]

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The 'Looper' stars will reunite to voice the lead characters in the English-language version of acclaimed Japanese filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki's final movie before he retires.

The film, which will be distributed by Disney, is due for release in February and will also feature the voices of Stanley Tucci, Elijah Wood, William H. Macy and Werner Herzog.

Gordon-Levitt will voice the protagonist, a young boy named Jiro Horikoshi, who dreams of flying and meeting Italian plane designer Giovanni Caproni.

The Japanese-language version of 'The Wind Rises' was released in July and has been a major hit in Japan, where it has grossed $120 million and is the highest-grossing film of the year so far.

Miyazaki confirmed his impending retirement from film in September.

The filmmaker is regarded as one of the greatest animators in the world and, as well as numerous TV shows and shorts, has directed 11 movies, including 'My Neighbor Totoro', 'Ponyo' and 'Princess Mononoke'.

His international recognition has seen him pick up an Best Animated Feature Oscar for 2001 film 'Spirited Away' as well as a Golden Lion award for lifetime achievement at the Venice Film Festival in 2005.

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Oscar-winning Japanese director Miyazaki to retire