Conversation so far:
How was the 2008 film Departures cast?
Motoki, by then in his early 40s and having built a reputation as a realist, was cast as Daigo. Veteran actor Tsutomu Yamazaki was selected for the role of Sasaki.
Are there any other interesting aspects about how the 2008 film Departures was cast besides using Motoki and Tsutomu Yamazaki?
Mika was initially planned as being the same age as Daigo, the role went to pop singer Ryōko Hirosue, who had previously acted in Takita's Himitsu (Secret) in 1999.
Who worked with Yamazaki?
Takita had worked with Yamazaki prior.
What did Takita and Yamazaki do together?
Takita had worked with Yamazaki on We Are Not Alone in 1993.

Question: Who else was cast in the film?
Self-contained rewrite: Who else was cast in the Departures?