Harry Potter Writer Steve Kloves Boards Akira

by SuperHeroHype

Feb 18th, 2011

Albert Hughes to direct the adaptation

Warner Bros. has hired "Harry Potter" franchise screenwriter Steve Kloves to polish the script for the studio's big screen Akira adaptation, reports Variety.

The latest version of the script was written by Albert Torres, with earlier drafts by Mark Fergus and Hawk Ostby and Gary Whitta.

Albert Hughes will direct the movie, based on Katsuhiro Otomo's graphic novel set in a post-apocalyptic Japan. Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Davisson Killoran of Appian Way will produce along with Hughes and his brother, Allen Hughes.

The trade adds that no one has been cast yet and a release date has not been set.

The Frontrunners for Akira Named

by SuperHeroHype

Mar 22nd, 2011

The casting of Tetsuo and Kaneda

Deadline is reporting that the script for Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures' Akira has been sent to a short list of actors.

To be directed by Albert Hughes, Akira is based on anime artist Katsuhiro Otomo's six-volume graphic novel masterwork. Filming is targeted for an August start.

The site says that the script has two major roles. For the role of Tetsuo, Robert Pattinson, Andrew Garfield and James McAvoy have been given the new script. For the role of Kaneda, Garrett Hedlund, Michael Fassbender, Chris Pine, Justin Timberlake and Joaquin Phoenix have received the script.

We should know soon whether two of the actors in those groups will sign on. Who do you think the roles should go to?

From IGN:

Warner Bros. Targeted for "Whitewashing"

The Akira casting issue does not go unnoticed.

March 23, 2011

Hell hath no fury like racism, and some are pointing fingers in the direction of Warner Bros. Pictures for the recent news that the live-action remake of Akira, the long-beloved Japanese anime that is now being geared towards an American audience, has an all-white casting call... or maybe everybody is just ticked off that Twilight star Robert Pattinson is among those selected, who knows.

Yesterday, we brought you some news regarding the all-Caucasian Akira casting that is currently ongoing. Now it seems that Racebending.com has gotten wind of the news, as they are the ones responsible for unleashing the petition, which takes aim at Warner Bros. Pictures for their disproportionate casting call comprised of all Caucasian actors and no Asian or Asian American actors.

Racebending became popular after the release of The Last Airbender, which was criticized for similar race-changing practices in its adaptation of the original Avatar: The Last Airbender cartoon.

No Akira for Keanu Reeves

by SuperHeroHype

May 17th, 2011

The actor passes on the live-action manga adaptation

Following a report two weeks ago that the actor was in talks to headline a big-screen adaptation of Katsuhiro Otomo's Akira, comes word via JoBlo that Keanu Reeves has passed on the role.

The new version to be directed by Albert Hughes, Akira was previously adapted as an anime film in 1988. Reeves was said to be up up for the role of Kaneda, a member of a biker gang in a cyberpunk dystopia.

"Production on ‘Akira’ has not halted or been shut down," Warner Bros. responded in answer to allegations that the film might be in trouble, "as the film has not yet been greenlit and is still very much in the development stage. The exploratory process is crucial to a project of this magnitude, and we will continue to sculpt our approach to making the best possible film."

Reeves will next appear in 47 Ronin, hitting theaters on November 21, 2012. He also recently revealed that he will return for a third Bill & Ted film at some point in the not-too-distant future.

Albert Hughes Off Akira

by SuperHeroHype

May 26th, 2011

The Warner Bros. Adaptation is looking for a new director

Albert Hughes has departed the Warner Bros. adaptation of Akira, Deadline reports.

The film has recently hit some creative stumbling blocks getting off the ground after recent word that Keanu Reeves turned down the leading role of Kaneda.

Famously adapted as an anime in 1988, Akira will be based on the original manga by Katsuhiro Otomo, depicting a sci-fi cyberpunk dystopia. Deadline suggests that, once a new director is found, previous talent might be re-approached. Their list includes, in addition to Reeves, Garrett Hedlund, Michael Fassbender, Chris Pine, Justin Timberlake and Joaquin Phoenix up for Kaneda with Robert Pattinson, Andrew Garfield and James McAvoy formerly up for the role of Tetsuo.

Jaume Collet-Serra in Talks to Direct Akira

By SuperHeroHype

Jul 14th, 2011

Variety is reporting that Warner Bros. Pictures is in talks with Orphan and Unknown helmer Jaume Collet-Serra to direct the live-action Akira adaptation.

Ruairi Robinson and Albert Hughes were previously attached to direct the adaptation of Katsuhiro Otomo's graphic novel. Gary Whitta wrote the first draft of the script, while Albert Torres and the team of Mark Fergus and Hawk Ostby also worked on the script. "Harry Potter" franchise writer Steve Kloves wrote the latest draft.

The trade says the $90 million-budgeted adaptation is set in New Manhattan. The story follows the leader of a biker gang who saves his friend from a medical experiment

Appian Way's Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Davisson Killoran are producing with Mad Chance's Andrew Lazar. Otomo will executive produce.

Akira Storyboards Reveal a Movie You Probably Won't See

by SuperHeroHype

March 22, 2012

The live-action version of Akira is currently on hold, shelved for now over budgetary issues at Warner Bros. In January, director Jaume Collet-Serra was well into pre-production up in Vancouver until development came to a halt.

Today, io9 landed some storyboards ("Do Not Distribute" - they say) from the film that reveal elements that scream - yes, this is indeed "Akira." You've got motorcycles, the military and a big bubble-shaped explosion. It appears they were on the right track.

Garrett Hedlund of TRON: Legacy was the only confirmed cast member and he was likely playing the blond fella you see in the art below. Helena Bonham Carter, Ken Wattanabe and Kristen Stewart were reportedly circling roles.

Sylvain Despretz (Gladiator) is responsible for the art.

Click the images for bigger versions!

Akira Movie Was Going to Make Tetsuo and Kaneda Brothers

by SuperHeroHype

March 27, 2012

Actor Toby Kebbell - of this week's release Wrath of the Titans - spoke openly and honestly with IFC (via ShockTillYouDrop.com) about Akira, the live-action adaptation of Katsuhiro Otomo's animated film that he was rumored to be circling.

Last fall, rumors stated he was in the running to play Tetsuo against Garrett (TRON: Legacy) Hedlund's Kaneda. Kebbell confirms these rumors were true, although - as a fan of the manga and original movie - he wasn't thrilled with some of the creative choices of the live-action script.

He told IFC:

They were like, 'This is going to be a big franchise!'" he explained. "So I said, 'Then in that case, understand that I've read the comics, and I've read the comics that got turned into the annuals, and then the annuals that got turned into the one-off anime. So if you really want to do it, then why don't you look at the six comics and just put two into each film?'"

"That way my character, Tetsuo, is not the lead," he continued. "He's not the second lead, and he's not the third or the fourth lead, because there are eight major characters there. You've got great young actors, and you could get them in there. That's the way to do it if you want to do sequels."

He also said that the studio wanted to make Tetsuo and Kaneda brothers:

"The other thing they wanted to do was make [Tetsuo and Kaneda] brothers," he continued. "I was like, 'The point is that Tetsuo can't comprehend how someone who isn't his brother could love him so much — and that's where his wrath and his rage come from. Do you not see that? Why have you made them brothers? What the f*ck are you doing?'"

Kebbell knows that voicing his opinion may not land him the Tetsuo gig should Akira ever get off the ground, but the Jaume Collet-Serra-directed film is on hold at Warner Bros. over budget problems.