Akira Live Action movie

Japan Time!
21

[size=20]‘Akira’ Focuses On Short List Of Actors After Getting Steve Kloves Rewrite[/size]
March 21, 2011 8:04pm

EXCLUSIVE: The script for the Warner Bros/Legendary Pictures live action adaptation of anime artist Katsuhiro Otomo’s 6-volume graphic novel ‘Akira’ has been sent to a short list of actors. The picture is finally taking shape for an August start, following the delivery of a rewrite by Steve Kloves that has director Albert Hughes and the studio brass excited. The story takes place in the rebuilt New Manhattan where a leader of a biker gang saves his friend from a medical experiment. There are two major roles, and I’m told that for Tetsuo, Robert Pattinson, Andrew Garfield and James McAvoy have been given the new script. For the role of Kaneda, the script has been given to Garrett Hedlund, Michael Fassbender, Chris Pine, Justin Timberlake and Joaquin Phoenix. The two leads are expected to come from that group of actors.

Andrew Lazar is producing with Appian Way’s Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Davisson Killoran. ‘Akira’ has been one of Warner Bros’ high priority projects since the studio with Legendary Pictures acquired it for a 7-figure sum 2 years ago from manga publisher Kodansha. The intention has been to make 2 films, each covering 3 books in the series. ‘Akira’ was first adapted for the screen in 1988.

Source: Deadline

22

[size=20]Star Trek Actor Petitions Against Akira ‘Whitewashing’[/size]
posted on 2011-04-19 23:57 EDT
George Takei links to fans’ petition against adaptation’s reported actor shortlist

Last week, Japanese-American actor George Takei (Star Trek TV series’ Mr. Sulu, Heroes’ Kaito Nakamura) Tweeted a link to a fan petition opposing a shortlist of actors reportedly up for lead roles in the live-action film adaptation of Katsuhiro Otomo’s manga Akira. The list included a variety of actors for the roles of Kaneda and Tetsuo, all of whom are white, including Twilight star Robert Pattinson, singer Justin Timberlake, and Star Trek film star Chris Pine. The list suggests the former for Tetsuo and the latter two for Kaneda, although Pattinson himself downplayed the report.

The website Racebending.com created the petition as an “event” on social networking site Facebook, which fans can sign by clicking the button stating that they will “attend” the event. At press time, over 11,500 people had signed the petition, which promotes the casting of Asian-American actors in this and other film adaptations.

23

[size=20]Hollywood Reporter: Keanu Reeves in Akira Film Talks[/size]
posted on 2011-05-06 16:45 EDT
Variety magazine’s film editor downplays rival magazine’s blog report of discussions

The Hollywood Reporter trade magazine’s Heat Vision blog reported on Friday that the film studio Warner Bros. is considering casting actor Keanu Reeves in its live-action adaptation of Katsuhiro Otomo’s manga and anime film Akira. The site reports that Warner Bros. has had talks with Reeves regarding the role of the series’ protagonist, Kaneda, although he does not yet have an offer for the role.

The company revealed in 2008 that it would partner with Leonardo DiCaprio’s Appian Way studio to produce the film. In March, an alleged short list of possible cast members, including Justin Timberlake and Robert Pattinson, was posted by movie news site Deadline. While Pattinson himself downplayed the report, Star Trek television actor George Takei promoted petitions against the alleged “white-washing” (casting of only caucasian actors) of the series, whose original characters are Japanese.

Reeves is already attached to produce and star in a live-action adaptation of the Sunrise anime series Cowboy Bebop, although in his most-recent comment on the project he was uncertain whether it would move forward.

Warner Bros. had not responded to ANN’s request for comment at press time.

Josh Dickey, the film editor for the rival entertainment industry magazine Variety, posted a cautionary note on Twitter on Friday, telling readers not to believe everything they read and that “there’s very good reason why Variety hasn’t written anything today about Keanu Reeves.”

24

[size=20]Keanu Reeves Passes on Akira, Most of Staff Let Go[/size]
posted on 2011-05-17 19:30 EDT
Warner: Production on planned film ‘has not halted’ as it has not yet been green-lit

According to the entertainment news website JoBlo.com, actor Keanu Reeves has passed on playing the role of Kaneda in Warner Bros.’ planned live-action adaptation of Katsuhiro Otomo’s manga Akira. The Hollywood Reporter trade magazine’s Heat Vision blog had reported on May 6 that Warner Bros. was in talks with the actor, although the rival Variety magazine’s film editor Josh Dickey downplayed the report.

The website also reported that soon after Reeves turned down the role, Warner Bros. “shut down Akira’s [previsualization] department and most of the staff that was working on the film was let go,” although the website noted that it was told the two events were not related. Warner Bros. gave the website the following statement:

The website noted that Albert Hughes (Menace II Society, From Hell, The Book of Eli) is still slated to direct the film.

Warner Bros. revealed in 2008 that it would partner with Leonardo DiCaprio’s Appian Way studio to produce the film. In March, an alleged short list of possible cast members, including Justin Timberlake and Robert Pattinson, was posted by movie news site Deadline. While Pattinson himself downplayed the report, Star Trek television actor George Takei promoted petitions against the alleged “white-washing” (casting of only caucasian actors) of the series, whose original characters are Japanese.

Reeves is already attached to produce and star in a live-action adaptation of the Sunrise anime series Cowboy Bebop, although in his most recent comment on the project, he was uncertain whether it would move forward.

25

[size=20]Deadline: Hughes Leaves Live-Action Akira Project[/size]
posted on 2011-05-26 15:39 EDT
Film news site reports that director departed due to “amicable creative differences”

The North American film news site Deadline reported on Thursday that director Albert Hughes has departed from the live-action adaptation of Katsuhiro Otomo’s manga and anime film Akira. According to the report, Hughes departed amicably due to “creative differences” on the film, and the studio still intends to keep the film “on a fast track.” Deadline further states that Warner intends to put Hughes on another film shortly.

The report cites “insiders” for the information. Warner Bros. had not responded to ANN’s request for comment at press time.

Last week, the movie news site JoBlo.com reported that Keanu Reeves had passed on the lead role of Kaneda in the film, and that “most” of the film’s staff had been let go. At the time, the site noted that Hughes was still attached to the project.

Screenwriters Gary Whitta, Mark Fergus, and Hawk Ostby were previously attached to the project, but the development team with producer Andrew Lazar (Jonah Hex, Space Cowboys, Get Smart) hired a new writer named Albert Torres. Actor Leonardo DiCaprio (Titanic, The Aviator) is producing through his Appian Way production company. When the project was originally announced in 2008, it was intended to be the directorial debut for Ireland’s Ruairi Robinson. Last year, Hughes told the Japanese movie news site Eiga.com that his next film is Akira.

In March, an alleged short list of possible cast members, including Justin Timberlake and Robert Pattinson, was posted by movie news site Deadline. While Pattinson himself downplayed the report, Star Trek television actor George Takei promoted petitions against the alleged “white-washing” (casting of only caucasian actors) of the series, whose original characters are Japanese.

26

[size=20]Warner Bros. Sets ‘Akira’ Director[/size]
July 14, 2011 at 07:17 PM

Another month, another bit of strange and not altogether unsurprising movement with the Akira movie project from Warner Bros. with it. This time we have via Variety the news that the studio has tapped Jaume Collet-Serra to handle the directing duties after the Hughes Brothers stepped away from the project and after a number of high profile names were floated for the lead roles that set off a new round of race related casting issues for the production. According to the piece, the feature is in the process of being “reenvisioned” a bit to a $90 million tentpole, but it’s unclear what it’s status will be since it was originally talked about as a two feature project. The most recent draft for the script was done by Steve Kloves, whom Warner Bros. has a lot of appreciation for with the work he’s done with the Harry Potter scripts. Like most productions, it’s had numerous writers and changes made during its progress towards actually going into production, so there are no surprises here.

Collet-Serra, who was recently thought to be the lead pick for the new Xerxes film, has been gaining a following at Warner for a few reasons; one is that his features have consistently been grossing more with each new one he works on since his start in 2005, culminating in the 2011 release of Unknown which brought in $130 million on a $30 million budget, and the second being his track record for being on time and on budget with what he’s done so far. He’s quickly becoming a talent that Warner Bros. is looking to use more and more of with higher profile pictures.

Source: The Fandom Post

27

Hmm, taking their time aren’t they? That’s good though, they need to put some serious work into a project like this. Can’y wait to see how what they come up with for the finale.

28

[size=20]Variety: Warner to Decide on Live-Action Akira Next Week[/size]
posted on 2011-10-15 23:00 EDT
Trade magazine’s blog says producers gave presentation with revised budget

Showblitz, the blog of the entertainment trade magazine Variety, reported on Friday that Warner Bros. will decide on whether to green-light the live-action film adaptation of Katsuhiro Otomo’s science-fiction manga Akira next week. According to Showblitz, the producers gave a presentation on Wednesday, and sources are “confdent that [Warner Bros.] will be happy” with the revised budget.

Variety had reported in July that Warner hired director Jaume Collett-Serra (Unknown, Orphan, House of Wax) to direct the film, which was “being reenvisioned as a $90 million” blockbuster project. In May, previous director Albert Hughes left the project due to “creative differences” on the film.

The development team with producer Andrew Lazar (Jonah Hex, Space Cowboys, Get Smart) hired a writer named Albert Torres last year, after screenwriters Gary Whitta, Mark Fergus, and Hawk Ostby were previously attached to the project. When the project was originally announced in 2008, it was intended to be the directorial debut for Ireland’s Ruairi Robinson. Actor Leonardo DiCaprio (Titanic, The Aviator) is producing through his Appian Way production company.

29

[size=20]Live-Action Akira Film Green-Lit by Warner[/size]
posted on 2011-10-19 22:03 EDT
Production based on Katsuhiro Otomo’s manga to begin in late February/early March

The Variety entertainment trade magazine is reporting on Wednesday that Warner Bros. has green-lit the live-action film adaptation of Katsuhiro Otomo’s Akira manga. Production on what Variety describes as a “potential tentpole project” is set to begin in late February or early March. (A “tentpole” franchise is a property which will, in theory, support a studio financially for much of a particular movie season.)

According to Variety, the film’s current story goes as follows: “Set in New Manhattan, the cyberpunk sci-fi epic follows the leader of a biker gang who must save his friend, discovered with potentially destructive psychokinetic abilities, from government medical experiments.”

Variety had reported in July that Warner hired director Jaume Collett-Serra (Unknown, Orphan, House of Wax) to direct the film, which was “being reenvisioned as a $90 million” blockbuster project. In May, previous director Albert Hughes left the project due to “creative differences” on the film.

The development team with producer Andrew Lazar (Jonah Hex, Space Cowboys, Get Smart) hired a writer named Albert Torres last year, after screenwriters Gary Whitta, Mark Fergus, and Hawk Ostby were previously attached to the project. When the project was originally announced in 2008, it was intended to be the directorial debut for Ireland’s Ruairi Robinson. Actor Leonardo DiCaprio (Titanic, The Aviator) is producing through his Appian Way production company

30

Damn it just let it go already.

31

You lost me at “New Manhattan”

32

[quote=Hornet65]
You lost me at “New Manhattan”[/quote]

Meh…I’d still hit it…I mean see it. :whistle:

33

http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2011-10-23/twitch-site/gary-oldman-helena-bonham-carter-offered-akira-roles
[size=20]Twitch Site: Gary Oldman, Helena Bonham-Carter Offered Akira Roles[/size]
posted on 2011-10-23 16:00 EDT
Garrett Hedlund previously reported as frontrunner for 1 of 2 male leads

The Twitch entertainment news site reported on Sunday that Gary Oldman (Sid and Nancy, Harry Potter films, Dark Knight trilogy) and Helena Bonham-Carter (A Room with a View, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, The King’s Speech) have been offered the roles of Colonel and Lady Miyako, respectively, in Warner’s live-action film adaptation of Akira. Variety had reported that Garrett Hedlund, the star of last year’s Tron: Legacy film, is a frontrunner for one of Akira’s two male leads, although he has not been formally offered the role.

Variety also reported that production on the live-action film adaptation of Katsuhiro Otomo’s Akira manga is set to begin in late February or early March. According to the magazine, the film’s current story goes as follows: “Set in New Manhattan, the cyberpunk sci-fi epic follows the leader of a biker gang who must save his friend, discovered with potentially destructive psychokinetic abilities, from government medical experiments.”

34

http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2011/11/03-1/variety-confirms-tron-legacy-star-garrett-hedlund-in-line-to-play-akira-lead
[size=20]Variety Confirms “Tron: Legacy” Star Garrett Hedlund in Line to Play “Akira” Lead[/size]
November 03, 2011 4:27pm CDT
Akira Adaptation Locks in on Its Kaneda

Entertainment industry trade publication Variety has confirmed that Tron: Legacy’s Garrett Hedlund is in talks with Warner Brothers to play the Kaneda equivalent role in the studio’s live-action adaptation of Katsuhiro Otomo’s seminal anime/manga Akira. The casting has been the subject of buzz since the project was greenlit last month, but WB is now pulling the trigger on that orbital laser blast. No offer was made at the time because a budget had yet to be set.

Variety describes the Warner Brothers Akira project:

Jaume Collet-Serra is on board to helm with Steve Kloves writing the latest version of the script. Appian Way’s Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Davisson Killoran are producing with Mad Chance’s Andrew Lazar.

http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2011/11/03/warner-bros-approaches-keira-knightley-for-role-in-akira
[size=20]Warner Bros. Approaches Keira Knightley for Role in “Akira”[/size]
November 03, 2011 8:54pm CDT
No character specified, so let’s play “having fun with speculation”

Word comes via The Hollywood Reporter’s Heat Vision blog that the latest actress to be approached concerning a role in Warner Bros.’ live-action Akira film is none other than Keira Knightley (Pirates of the Caribbean, Domino). The role in question was not specified.

Just earlier today Variety confirmed Tron Legacy’s Garrett Hedlund as being in talks with Warner to play the lead of the Jaume Collet-Serra directed film. Gary Oldman and Helena Bonham Carter, while not confirmed, were tossed into the ring of possibilities a couple weeks ago.

As for Knightley, let’s have some fun with speculation, because we don’t really know that particular roles from Katsuhiro Otomo’s source material will even make it into the film. Our best guess? We’re gonna go with Kei, tough female member of the terrorist resistance movement with whom Kaneda develops a strong relationship.

Tetsuo’s girl Kaori is always a possibility, though less likely. Instead, with today’s expert CG and makeup craft at work within Akira’s generous $90 million budget, we’d like to see Knightley go all Esper as #25, Kiyoko.

Or we could just be WAY off and Keira Knightley will end up signing on to play a more organic, high concept version of Kaneda’s famous bike. In all seriousness, which role do you see Knightley suited for, if any?

35

###Hollywood Reporter: Warner Looks at 2 for Akira’s Tetsuo
posted on 2011-11-05 06:40 EDT
We Need To Talk About Kevin’s Ezra Miller, Tetro’s Alden Eherenreich

36

http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2011-11-08/akira-casting-call-for-yamagata-tetsuo-ky-listed
[size=20]Akira Casting Calls for Yamagata, Tetsuo, Ky Listed[/size]
posted on 2011-11-08 13:00 EST
Live-action Warner film looks for Japanese-American Yamagata, Tetsuo & Ky of any ethnicity

The Actors Access, a website for acting employment opportunities, posted casting calls for two characters in Appian Way and Warner Brothers’ live-action Akira film on October 24. The site posted another casting call for a third character on November 3.

[quote]The October 24 casting call goes as follows:

Monday, Oct. 24, 2011, 4:59 PM Pacific
AKIRA
Feature Film
SAG

Director: Jaume Collet-Serra
Feature Film Writer: David James Kelly
Producers: Appian Way
Casting Director: Ronna Kress
SAG Casting Assistant: Hannah d?Angerio
Start Date: March 2012
Location: Vancouver

ELECTRONIC SUBMISSIONS ONLY

WE DELETE EMAIL PITCHES TO OUR OFFICE

[ TETSUO ]
Male; any ethnicity, 20-25 years old; strung out, intense, street rat. (LEAD)
[ KY ]
Female; 20-30 years old; any ethnicity; tough, sexy, strong willed, street savvy. (LEAD)[/quote]
The November 3 casting call is as follows:

[quote]Thursday, Nov. 3, 2011, 10:24 AM Pacific
Addendum to 10/24 4:59 PM
AKIRA (Additional Role)
Feature Film
SAG

Director: Jaume Collet-Serra
Writer: David James Kelly
Producers: Appian Way
Casting Director: Ronna Kress
Casting Assistant: Hannah d?Angerio, Emma Sands-Milsom
Start Date: March 2012
Location: Vancouver

ELECTRONIC SUBMISSIONS ONLY

WE DELETE EMAIL PITCHES TO OUR OFFICE

[ YAMAGATA ]
Male, 20 to 30 years old, Japanese-American. (LEAD)[/quote]

The Hollywood Reporter entertainment trade magazine reported on Friday that Ezra Miller and Alden Ehrenreich are among the top contenders for the pivotal role of Tetsuo in this live-action film adaptation of Katsuhiro Otomo’s Akira manga. Garrett Hedlund (Tron: Legacy) is in talks for the other lead role of Kaneda, which The Hollywood Reporter described as Tetsuo’s “older brother” in Warner’s film. The Twitch website and The Hollywood Reporter previously said that Helena Bonham Carter (The King’s Speech), Gary Oldman (Dark Knight trilogy), and Keira Knightley (Pirates of the Caribbean films) have all been approached for roles.

According to Variety, the film’s current story goes as follows: “Set in New Manhattan, the cyberpunk sci-fi epic follows the leader of a biker gang who must save his friend, discovered with potentially destructive psychokinetic abilities, from government medical experiments.”

37

http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2011-11-15/twitch-site/kirsten-stewart-offered-akira-kei-role
[size=20]Twitch Site: Kirsten Stewart Offered Akira’s Kei Role[/size]
posted on 2011-11-15 13:15 EST
Twilight actress offered lead female role in Warner Brother’s live-action film

The Twitch website is reporting on Tuesday that actress Kristen Stewart (Twilight, The Runaways, Snow White and the Huntsman) has been offered the lead female role of Kei in Warner Brothers’ live-action adaptation of Katsuhiro Otomo’s Akira manga. In Warner’s film, Kei is described as “a young medium who becomes the love interest for [male co-lead] Kaneda.”

The Hollywood Reporter entertainment trade magazine reported earlier this month that Ezra Miller and Alden Ehrenreich are among the top contenders for the pivotal role of Tetsuo in this live-action film adaptation of Katsuhiro Otomo’s Akira manga. Garrett Hedlund (Tron: Legacy) is in talks for the other lead role of Kaneda, which The Hollywood Reporter described as Tetsuo’s “older brother” in Warner’s film. The Twitch website and The Hollywood Reporter previously said that Helena Bonham Carter (The King’s Speech), Gary Oldman (Dark Knight trilogy), and Keira Knightley (Pirates of the Caribbean films) have all been approached for roles.

The Actors Access website for acting employment opportunities posted casting calls for the characters Yamagata, Tetsuo, and Ky in September and October.

Update: The Hollywood Reporter trade magzine’s Heat Vision blog reports that the role is named Ky Reed, “a woman who is part of an underground movement to expose the government for turning orphans into living weapons. She may also possess some abilities herself.”

38

They just keep making this worse and worse.

39

http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2011-11-16/live-action-akira-is-not-next-movie-for-ezra-miller
[size=20]Live-Action Akira Is Not Next Movie for Ezra Miller[/size]
posted on 2011-11-16 19:00 EST
Perks of Being a Wallflower actor denies report of Tetsuo role, but praises “Japanese epic”

Actor Ezra Miller (We Need To Talk About Kevin, The Perks of Being a Wallflower) told the Moviefone website that he will not play role of Tetsuo in Warner Brothers’ live-action film adaptation of Katsuhiro Otomo’s Akira manga. He said in a phone interview with the site, “It’s not true. That, I can assure you, will not be a reality.” He added, “It’s a beautiful Japanese epic and I think it’ll be a very entertaining, fun film, but no, it’s not my next move.”

The Hollywood Reporter entertainment trade magazine reported on November 4 that Miller and Alden Ehrenreich are among the top contenders for the pivotal role of Tetsuo. As in the manga, the magazine describes Tetsuo as “a young man with telekinetic abilities who becomes a dangerous weapon.”

The Twitch website reported on Tuesday that actress Kristen Stewart (Twilight, The Runaways, Snow White and the Huntsman) has been offered the lead female role of Kei. The Hollywood Reporter trade magzine’s Heat Vision blog said later that day the role was renamed Ky Reed, “a woman who is part of an underground movement to expose the government for turning orphans into living weapons.”

Garrett Hedlund (Tron: Legacy) is in talks for the other lead role of Kaneda, which The Hollywood Reporter described as Tetsuo’s “older brother” in Warner’s film. The Twitch website and The Hollywood Reporter previously said that Helena Bonham Carter (The King’s Speech), Gary Oldman (Dark Knight trilogy), and Keira Knightley (Pirates of the Caribbean films) have all been approached for roles.

40

###Hollywood Reporter Lists Candidates for Akira’s Tetsuo
posted on 2011-11-19 05:20 EST
Magazine: Warner to decide on live-action film’s lead before Thanksgiving