Akira Remake

[Lord_Stewie]

Garrett Hedlund Frontrunner for Kaneda

After a long and rumor-filled development hell, one of the most celebrated animated films of all time, Akira, has officially been greenlit for a live action remake. Spanish director Jaume Collet-Serra (Orphan, Unknown, House of Wax) will helm the newly-budgeted $90 million movie about the leader of a biker gang whose best friend is infected with an unstoppable power.

Shooting will begin in late February/early March 2012 according to Variety, who broke the news. They also report Garrett Hedlund (TRON: Legacy) is the front runner for the lead role of Kaneda. More after the jump.

According to Variety, Warner Bros. has held the rights to the property since 2008 when it purchased them for seven figures. Everyone from Keanu Reeves, Brad Pitt, Leonardo DiCaprio and James Franco have been rumored to be up for the lead role of biker leader Kaneda but that was with a bigger budget. Hedlund comes with a leading man resume and much lower price tag. “Though no offer’s been made, insiders say it’s only a matter of time,” says Variety of his possible casting.

I urge you to go back through our Akira archives to read about the long and difficult road this remake has had in getting a greenlight. With good reason. The original 1988 anime directed by Katsuhiro Otomo, who is an executive producer on this film, is a classic in every sense of the world. It’s a massive, massive movie with huge action and really weird, almost noncommercial character swings. Every time you watch it you see something different and to translate that to live action will be an epic undertaking, especially at only $90 million. Expect it to be bare bones, gritty and – probably – without much of the violence and pessimism that made the original so wonderful.

As for Collet-Serra, hopefully he’s a fan and sees this as his big shot. What we’d heard from concept designers on the film in the past was not encouraging and while Collet-Serra’ films have done okay at the box office, I don’t think any of them are home runs. In fact, I think Unknown is pretty terrible and, unfortunately, the closest thing he’s done to Akira as of yet. Let’s hope his vision pays respect to the original while placating executives who see this as a potential tentpole.

What are you thought on this? Can you fathom that there will actually be a live action Akira movie coming out in the next few years? Is there any way this movie could be a hit?

SlashFilm

[P@t_Mtl]

Weird

[Lord_Stewie]

Have you seen Akira?

The anime is awesome, I would like to stay optimistic about this one. Just hope it won't get messed up.

[Batman1980]

I doubt this would be too popular, as far as I can tell not that many people in the US actually LIKE anime. Time will tell.

[LordCrumb]

I have heard stuff about a live action Akira for years... not sure how they will do the final act though... might have to change it, aka Watchmen. Better not have Hip/Hop music, just a score, no actual bands, thats all I ask.

I'm still waiting for the live action Neon Genesis Evangelion though!

[mikejet]

Originally Posted by KaiGusto

I have heard stuff about a live action Akira for years... not sure how they will do the final act though... might have to change it, aka Watchmen. Better not have Hip/Hop music, just a score, no actual bands, thats all I ask.

I'm still waiting for the live action Neon Genesis Evangelion though!

Yeah, there's been rumors of it for a while but nothing solid.

I thought Gainax was going to do the live action Eva?

I know that Pharell is still trying for his Robotech.

I kind of want RZA and some others to do a live action Samurai Champloo.

[Rob71]

I want to be excited by this news but can't. Let's just say I'll be skeptical until given a good reason not to be. I have yet to be impressed with any adaptation of an Asian film. I hope this will be the first.

[supercutz]

I can't speak about The Book of Eli as I haven't seen it but I loved From Hell. After watching the bonus features I developed a new level of respect for the brothers because they were sticklers to detail and did a ton of research to make the movie as authentic to the that time as possible. I fully expect them to treat Akira with the same level of respect and am looking forward to learning more as things develop on the project.

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by Lord_Stewie

Have you seen Akira?

The anime is awesome, I would like to stay optimistic about this one. Just hope it won't get messed up.

Check my collection Stewie Saw it back in theaters the first time around in the late 80's

[Rob71]

Originally Posted by supercutz

I can't speak about The Book of Eli as I haven't seen it but I loved From Hell. After watching the bonus features I developed a new level of respect for the brothers because they were sticklers to detail and did a ton of research to make the movie as authentic to the that time as possible. I fully expect them to treat Akira with the same level of respect and am looking forward to learning more as things develop on the project.

Reading this makes me feel a little better.

[Lord_Stewie]

Originally Posted by P@t_Mtl

Check my collection Stewie Saw it back in theaters the first time around in the late 80's

Awesome movie. I think I have seen it 5 years ago for the first time ever.

Originally Posted by Rob71

Reading this makes me feel a little better.

+1 I got to agree.

[Q?]

I'm a huge Akira fan!
The animated though, not really interested in the comics.

I really hope they know how to cast for this one, they better do it right...

[kolibri]

Hmmm, perhaps some things just shouldn't be tinkered with. Akira is a seminal film, and a landmark in animated movies. I'm really not sure it would work, but I'd love to be pleasantly surprised...

[OrlandoEastwood]

Is Leonardo DiCaprio still attached to the film?

[GLaDOS]

I still have high hopes for this live action adaptation. I hope it won't be too overdone.

[MOONPHASE]

Originally Posted by Wolverine1980

I doubt this would be too popular, as far as I can tell not that many people in the US actually LIKE anime. Time will tell.

There's still a lot of Akira fans stateside just like there's still a lot of Evangelion fans in the states it's just we pretty much figure that they will turn a wonderful animated movie that was shown in theaters in Japan the year I was born into like almost worst movie of the year in live action. Just look at Dragon Ball: Evolution and you will know what I mean. I just hope this will be the one to prove me wrong that live action anime can be done right but then again the original movie had a lot of weird, intense scenes in it and kind of wonder how they will pull that off in live action.

[mikejet]

Zac Efron is being pursued to play the lead currently.

BREAKING NEWS

[Q?]

I'm actually NOTLIKINGTHEIDEA.

It's a rumor though, nothing is set in stone.

I'm afraid it'll be too americanized.

[mikejet]

Originally Posted by Q!

I'm actually NOTLIKINGTHEIDEA.

It's a rumor though, nothing is set in stone.

I'm ok with it. Mostly because Zac Efron can act. And kind of looks like an American Kaneda

[Q?]

I have no clue as to his acting skills, never seen one, most his movies or all are targeted for teen girl right?