Akira Live Action Movie Update [Update May 29]

by Naruleach
Mar 22, 2011 11:59 PM | 76 Comments

According to Deadline New York, the live action movie adaptation of Otomo Katsuhiro’s Akira, has finally begun to take shape. The script, which had been successfully rewritten by Steve Kloves (Harry Potter films), has now been sent to a list of actors.

For the role of Tetsuo, prospective actors include: Robert Pattinson, Andrew Garfield, and James McAvoy.
For the role of Kaneda, actors include: Garrett Hedlund, Michael Fassbender, Chris Pine, Justin Timberlake, and Joaquin Phoenix.

Plot according to Deadline New York: "The story takes place in the rebuilt New Manhattan where a leader of a biker gang saves his friend from a medical experiment."

According Chris Beveridge on Mania.com, "Do keep in mind that this is a heavily localized and adapted film, going into a New York setting, and it's very likely that they're upping the ages of the characters, which is a given going by the names used here, so don't expect the original story ideas revolving around youth, revolt and social pressures to be played out the same."

Sources: Deadline New York, Mania.com
Previous related topic: Hughes Brothers Revive Akira Live Action Movie Project

Update on May 29th
According to Deadline, director Albert Hughes has left the Hollywood movie adaptation of Akira. Their report states that the departure is due to "amicable creative differences" and that Warners Bros intends to find a new director quickly since they want to "keep the picture on a fast track".

Source: Deadline

20 of 76 Comments Recent Comments

Spoke too soon... : http://en.rocketnews24.com/2013/08/04/stalled-akira-live-action-movie-comes-back-to-life/

Aug 17, 2013 9:09 PM by Burayan

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/akira-production-shut-down-budget-warner-bros-278729

It's been over a year, so maybe we're safe now. But I still feel like we're only on Terminator 2, and the evil will rise again. We must hunt down those responsible for all the misery and angst and make sure they never go near Anime again.

Apr 8, 2013 6:02 PM by Burayan

Update on Oct 20th:
Warner Bros. Greenlights ‘Akira’ Remake; Shooting Starts Early 2012, a plank of wood aka Garrett Hedlund is frontrunner for Kaneda

Linky

:(

Oct 20, 2011 12:34 AM by Beatnik

Update on May 29th
According to Deadline, director Albert Hughes has left the Hollywood movie adaptation of Akira. Their report states that the departure is due to "amicable creative differences" and that Warners Bros intends to find a new director quickly since they want to "keep the picture on a fast track".

Source: Deadline

May 29, 2011 1:27 AM by Naruleach

http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2011-05-26/deadline/hughes-leaves-live-action-akira-project

May 27, 2011 5:18 AM by bergil

Naruleach said:
The script, which had been successfully rewritten by Steve Kloves (Harry Potter films),

THANK GOD! the project is in safe hands now [/sarcasm]

May 15, 2011 3:15 PM by eyerok

This movie is going to be dumbed-down for American audiences. They'll re-write everything to appeal to the broadest market, and take out anything that average Americans are too dense to understand. So, heavy on explosions and American cultural references, skip over stuff like symbolism and teenagers struggling to find their place in society. And of course they'll have to change it to a happy ending somehow. Enough people will probably go see this cinematic turd to justify the producers' decisions.

And btw nothing in the movie will be "over the heads" of non-anime fans, because they won't put that in the movie.

And the Blood+ movie was "chew-your-arm-off-to-escape" stupid and bad.

May 15, 2011 5:13 AM by Burayan

http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2011-04-06/twilight-pattinson-downplays-akira-casting-report

Apr 6, 2011 4:48 AM by bergil

lostpuma said:
Remeber what they did to Dragonball and Blood: The last vampire?

I agree that dragonball was bad, but the live action for blood was actually decent.. though things were changed.. I actually enjoyed it.. and I thought this movie was going to be true to the animated movie.. Im sad to find out Hollywood is pulling another dick move.. not surprised though..

Mar 25, 2011 2:23 PM by KingCloud

I hope it'll be better than the anime movie.

Mar 25, 2011 11:51 AM by SuperSaiyen

I think this is what happens you have passionate fans who end up wanting to make a movie about one of their favorite properties and then studios come and want to mess it up because they're afraid of the market.

Mar 25, 2011 11:48 AM by mangatherapy

/facepalm

please dont ruin an amazing classic...already enough people that think animes are shitty based from American live action garbage

Mar 25, 2011 8:45 AM by hakati

OK! This cannot happen. Robert Pattinson and Justin Timberlake. Really?!? Why not just take the money they are going to spend on this abomination and flush it down the toilet. Or better yet use the money to hire a hitman to kill every person who has seen the anime see they won't wish they were dead. Remeber what they did to Dragonball and Blood: The last vampire?

Mar 25, 2011 12:30 AM by lostpuma

another Dragonball Evolution movie? no, thanks!

Mar 24, 2011 5:14 PM by Paradox_Spiral

Winter said:
I just...died a little on the inside.

I mean Robert Pattinson? Really? Why is he even being considered for this? Can the man show emotions? I don't think he can. I mean Tetsuo is basically a raging, screaming ball of angst, rage and drugs.

...oh wait. From the sounds of that he's probably going to be a super cool rock star rebelling against the world or something. Never mind that. Rob is perfect for that.

I understand adapting the movie for American audiences, and I understand needing to make certain changes. But for the love of god, if you're just going to change the underlying theme and message of the story what's the point? Besides the name, it won't even be truly related to the source material if they make the type of changes I'm picturing here. Way to sink even lower than usual Hollywood. Good job. Keep up the good work you jerks.

(I do hope my negativity will be wasted and this will turn out to be an epic movie of epic proportions) (not going to happen).

Watch something of Pattinsons that isn't Twilight.

It's a shame his most known work is his worst work.

Mar 24, 2011 1:43 PM by Sabinlerose

They're not adapting the movie they're adapting the manga.Btw movie will be shot in two parts like Kill Bill so they're not trying to squeeze everything in two or three hours.

Mar 24, 2011 7:47 AM by bergil

I just...died a little on the inside.

I mean Robert Pattinson? Really? Why is he even being considered for this? Can the man show emotions? I don't think he can. I mean Tetsuo is basically a raging, screaming ball of angst, rage and drugs.

...oh wait. From the sounds of that he's probably going to be a super cool rock star rebelling against the world or something. Never mind that. Rob is perfect for that.

I understand adapting the movie for American audiences, and I understand needing to make certain changes. But for the love of god, if you're just going to change the underlying theme and message of the story what's the point? Besides the name, it won't even be truly related to the source material if they make the type of changes I'm picturing here. Way to sink even lower than usual Hollywood. Good job. Keep up the good work you jerks.

(I do hope my negativity will be wasted and this will turn out to be an epic movie of epic proportions) (not going to happen).

Mar 24, 2011 7:36 AM by Winter

OK i can tell now for sure this is gonna FUCKING SUCK!

Steve Kloves, Robert Pattinson, Justin Timberlake?????? REALLY? WTF???
FUCKING worse staff ever omfg...

And if Robert gets chosen i am hell not watching this AT ALL!

Mar 24, 2011 5:53 AM by Aozure

It's Akira now... eventually it'll be Evangelion :S

Fortunately we still have the original Animes to remember them with.

Avatar film was just..... Anime was at LEAST over 9000 times better.

Mar 24, 2011 4:20 AM by CRAZEH247

Hah, sucks that they're doing this remake. I don't think it'll be good at all lol but ah well

Mar 23, 2011 8:32 PM by Mon_Diamond

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