TV Article Ken Watanabe stomach cancer diagnosis delays Broadway return in 'The King and I' The actor was scheduled to return to 'The King and I' in March. By Marc Snetiker Published on February 9, 2016 09:07PM EST Photo: Charles Sykes/Invision/AP Ken Watanabe, who was scheduled to return to the Broadway musical The King and I next month, has delayed his reprise on Broadway after receiving a diagnosis of and surgery for early stomach cancer, EW has confirmed. Watanabe, 56, made his Broadway debut in last year’s award-winning revival of The King and I and was slated to reappear in the show from March 1 through April 17. The actor has not canceled his return to The King and I but rather issued a statement suggesting postponement. Watanabe is currently recovering from endoscopic surgery at a hospital in Japan. In 1989, the actor was also diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia. Watanabe made his U.S. stage debut in the Lincoln Center Theater production and earned a 2015 Tony Award nomination for the role of the King of Siam. LCT has not yet confirmed an interim replacement for Watanabe; the role is currently being played by Hoon Lee, who had been expected to end his run on Feb. 28, with Jose Llana scheduled to appear April 19 through May 1 and Daniel Dae Kim (of Lost and Hawaii Five-0) slated to step into the role on May 3.