Akira film

[Yog-Sothoth]

Hollywood is going to destroy another classic from Japan.

Akira Script To Get A Makeover, Brad Pitt Asked To Star As Kaneda?

Some possible updates in the progress of WB's live action adap of Akira. Apparently both Brad Pitt and Mila Kunis were approached for roles, and a new screen writer has come aboard to sort out the script.

Some very strange and worrying things have been going on with the upcoming(or not?) live action adaptation of celebrated Manga/Anime Akira.

Vulture report that Mila Kunis turned down a role in the movie(as freedom fighter Kei apparently) to star in Sam Raimi's Oz: The Great And Powerful. But that's not all. Get this: Apparently WB Exec Jeff Robinov called Brad Pitt to try to convince him to play the lead role of Kaneda in order to secure some star power for the project. The character of Kaneda is supposed to be about 15. Now I expected this adap to add a few years, but 30 years?

Now(possibly in response to this) Variety report that Steve Cloves has been brought on board to "polish" the script. Cloves is the Oscar nominated screen writer behind most of the Harry Potter movies. All the report says is that he has been "recruited to polish the studio's live-action remake of Japanese manga epic Akira" and gives no further indication of how things are progressing with casting etc. Although James Franco has been rumored to be in talks, nothing has been confirmed thus far. All we do know is that Albert Hughes(of the Hughes bros) will direct.

-Source

 

[Talysia]

Hmm... I'm really not sure what to think about Hollywood wanting to remake some of the most iconic animes of all times. I certainly don't know how well Brad Pitt would fit in the role of Kaneda.

I'm going to have to wait and see on this one. I'm not particularly enthusiastic (although I'm not enthusiastic about many Hollywood adaptations of manga and anime classics - if any: none spring to mind right now), but there's always the chance that I'll be surprised one of these days.

 

[HareBrain]

I certainly don't know how well Brad Pitt would fit in the role of Kaneda.

That's a lot more restrained than I would have put it.

 

[reiver33]

AAARRRGGGHH!

Akira was the first serious animated film I saw, and I have both the subtitled and dubbed versions on VHS. Is there no way Japan can launch a pre-emptive strike...oh, hang on.

Tora! Tora! Tora!

 

[HareBrain]

Is there no way Japan can launch a pre-emptive strike.

Katsuhiro Otomo's wikipedia page says he's going to be executive producer of this monstrosity (*sob*, how could he?), so I hardly think the Japanese have any reason to feel aggrieved.

 

[Waffle]

Last I read on this(a year or so ago), they had Leonardo De'caprio as Kanada. Gave up on reading the rest after that...