AceShowbiz -

Netflix has released the first official teaser trailer of "The Outsider" starring Jared Leto. The nearly-two-minute video highlights how Leto's Nick Lowell adapts to his new way of life after he joins a Yakuza group in Japan.

The trailer begins with a woman, who sports a full-body tattoo, telling Lowell about the legend of the koi fish that swims up a waterfall and becomes a dragon. Scenes of some Japanese traditions like Kabuki theater and sumo wrestling are also included in the clip, with Lowell saying in voiceover, "In life, sometimes we fight the current, and other times it's important to flow the river."

It also offers a glimpse at Tadanobu Asano's Kiyoshi telling Lowell, "To become a Yakuza is a choice. You can never go back." There is also a scene where Lowell tries to explain the Japanese traditions to Rory Cochrane's Panetti, but the latter isn't interested about it. When Panetti tells Lowell to get out of his office, Lowell attacks him with a typewriter. The final scenes of the trailer see Lowell completely embracing his new lifestyle as a Yakuza.

In "The Outsider", Leto stars as Nick Lowell, an American solider imprisoned in Japan after World War II. His Yakuza cellmate helps release him. Now free, he sets out to earn their respect and repay his debt while navigating the dangerous criminal underworld.

Tom Hardy was previously set to starin the lead role. However, Hardy dropped out due to scheduling conflicts. Jeremy Renner was considered as a replacement before Leto was cast.

Directed by Martin Zandvliet, whose credits included "Land of Mine" and "Applaus", and written by Andrew Baldwin, who also wrote "The Take", the film starts streaming on Netflix on March 9. Also starring in the crime film are Kippei Shina, Emile Hirsch and Shiolio Kutsuna.