Warner Bros. adapting "Akira," DiCaprio producing

Tokyograph News · 02-20-2008, 11:23 PM

Warner Bros. is turning Katsuhiro Otomo's classic manga "Akira" into two live-action films. The studio previously held the adaptation rights years ago, but had to reacquire them in a seven-figure deal with Kodansha after they lapsed.

This will be the first feature film directed by Ireland's Ruairi Robinson, who is known for his work in short films and commercials. Gary Whitta ("Book of Eli") is writing the script. Andrew Lazar of Mad Chance is producing the film along with Leonardio DiCaprio and Jennifer Davisson of Appian Way, DiCaprio's production company.

Each film will span three of the manga's six volumes, and the story will be set in "New Manhattan" instead of Neo-Tokyo. The first movie has been slated for summer 2009. No cast details have been announced.

Link to article

02-21-2008, 07:09 AM

Ok really now. Is Hollywood running out of ideas?

Instead doing something original themselves these days, they start to kill off some good Asian stuff with their stupid remakes etc.

I mean... Dragonball, now this? Akira is one of the best anime movies I've ever seen. And íf I want to see it live-action, then Japanese actors please =_=;

02-21-2008, 03:24 PM

I think the only good thing that will come out of this is the fact that -more- Akira merchandise will be available in the U.S. Otherwise, I'm really not looking forward to this remake.

And I agree. Hollywood seems to be running out of ideas. Lately, all they've been churning out is remakes. =/

**migimaru** · 02-22-2008, 08:56 AM

http://www.aintitcool.com/node/35680

AICN is reporting that DiCaprio is starring as Kaneda and Joseph Gordon Levitt is playing Tetsuo.

pixie464 · 02-23-2008, 08:49 AM

Mmmmmm...i dont know if this is good news or bad, i loved the anime movie [who has'nt] but do they realy want to make it into a live action movie, and hollywood doing it to, i'm not quite sure, i think this is going to be either really great or a big fat flunk.

**migimaru** · 02-23-2008, 11:03 PM

Yeah, this could be really bad. If they keep the Akira name attached, I think people might have certain expectations of it that I don't think are going to happen.

I think if the movie is viewed as something separate from the original work, DiCaprio has the ability to produce (and act) a very good version of the story. But more likely, people are just going to see "DiCaprio =/= Kaneda" and "Manhattan =/= Tokyo" and judge it based on that.

Tsukasa · 02-24-2008, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Ok really now. Is Hollywood running out of ideas?

Instead doing something original themselves these days, they start to kill off some good Asian stuff with their stupid remakes etc.

I mean... Dragonball, now this? Akira is one of the best anime movies I've ever seen. And íf I want to see it live-action, then Japanese actors please =_=;

I agree. First with "The Ring" movie series, then "Pulse", and the most recent "One Missed Call". All those remakes were crap, compared to the Japanese ones.

I am not expecting much from the remake of Akira either.

Hollywood really needs to hire more and better writers...

pixie464 · 02-25-2008, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by migimaru

Yeah, this could be really bad. If they keep the Akira name attached, I think people might have certain expectations of it that I don't think are going to happen.

They should make the movie and change it as much as they want, BUT change the name of the movie from Akira to some thing els, then it would just make it a movie about a nuclear explosion in America, and a good block buster movie we will all be waiting to watch, plus no expectations be shattered, becouse there will be none to start of with. and every one will be happy

and live happly ever after.

07-15-2009, 02:32 AM

I do love the idea of them making this into a movie with Japanese actors. There were reports of the project being scrapped off because the director bailed out. Otaku around the world rejoiced hearing the news. Too bad.
Then comes Joseph Gordon Levitt (the actor who are rumoured will be taking on the role of Tetsuo) implying that there still might be a chance for the movie having a go. I don't mind watching him as Tetsuo. The movie might not meet the targeted release date which suppose to be next year but probably will still have a release 2 or 3 years from now. Akira is just too good not to be remade.
http://splashpage.mtv.com/2009/06/30...-action-akira/

New Manhattan run by Japan. I wonder if it'll mirror Israel in Palestine but minus the zionism.

02-20-2008, 11:23 PM	#1
Tokyograph News Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 11	Warner Bros. adapting "Akira," DiCaprio producing Warner Bros. is turning Katsuhiro Otomo's classic manga "Akira" into two live-action films. The studio previously held the adaptation rights years ago, but had to reacquire them in a seven-figure deal with Kodansha after they lapsed. This will be the first feature film directed by Ireland's Ruairi Robinson, who is known for his work in short films and commercials. Gary Whitta ("Book of Eli") is writing the script. Andrew Lazar of Mad Chance is producing the film along with Leonardio DiCaprio and Jennifer Davisson of Appian Way, DiCaprio's production company. Each film will span three of the manga's six volumes, and the story will be set in "New Manhattan" instead of Neo-Tokyo. The first movie has been slated for summer 2009. No cast details have been announced. Link to article

02-23-2008, 08:49 AM	#5
pixie464 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Qatar Posts: 108	Mmmmmm...i dont know if this is good news or bad, i loved the anime movie [who has'nt] but do they realy want to make it into a live action movie, and hollywood doing it to, i'm not quite sure, i think this is going to be either really great or a big fat flunk. __________________ Treat all knowledge as your lost property

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02-21-2008, 07:09 AM	#2
Unregistered Posts: n/a	Ok really now. Is Hollywood running out of ideas? Instead doing something original themselves these days, they start to kill off some good Asian stuff with their stupid remakes etc. I mean... Dragonball, now this? Akira is one of the best anime movies I've ever seen. And íf I want to see it live-action, then Japanese actors please =_=;

02-21-2008, 03:24 PM	#3
Unregistered Posts: n/a	I think the only good thing that will come out of this is the fact that -more- Akira merchandise will be available in the U.S. Otherwise, I'm really not looking forward to this remake. And I agree. Hollywood seems to be running out of ideas. Lately, all they've been churning out is remakes. =/

02-22-2008, 08:56 AM	#4
migimaru ミギ丸 Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 736	http://www.aintitcool.com/node/35680 AICN is reporting that DiCaprio is starring as Kaneda and Joseph Gordon Levitt is playing Tetsuo.

02-23-2008, 11:03 PM	#6
migimaru ミギ丸 Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 736	Yeah, this could be really bad. If they keep the Akira name attached, I think people might have certain expectations of it that I don't think are going to happen. I think if the movie is viewed as something separate from the original work, DiCaprio has the ability to produce (and act) a very good version of the story. But more likely, people are just going to see "DiCaprio =/= Kaneda" and "Manhattan =/= Tokyo" and judge it based on that.

07-15-2009, 02:32 AM	#9
Unregistered Posts: n/a	I do love the idea of them making this into a movie with Japanese actors. There were reports of the project being scrapped off because the director bailed out. Otaku around the world rejoiced hearing the news. Too bad. Then comes Joseph Gordon Levitt (the actor who are rumoured will be taking on the role of Tetsuo) implying that there still might be a chance for the movie having a go. I don't mind watching him as Tetsuo. The movie might not meet the targeted release date which suppose to be next year but probably will still have a release 2 or 3 years from now. Akira is just too good not to be remade. http://splashpage.mtv.com/2009/06/30...-action-akira/ New Manhattan run by Japan. I wonder if it'll mirror Israel in Palestine but minus the zionism.