More Akira Live Action Movie News

Splash Page have came through with some more information about the upcoming Akira Live Action Movie…

A script can spend forever in the editing stage, so anticipators of the developing live-action movie version of Akira should feel lucky to hear the project is finally materializing. After all, the film’s script—taken on in mid November for polishing by Harry Potter writer Steve Kloves—is an adaptation of Katsuhiro Otomo’s sprawling 6 volume manga, and not a remake of the 1988 anime.

According to Deadline, Klove’s edits have Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures brass along with director Albert Hughes “excited” enough to forward the script to a short list of actors.

For the role of Kaneda, leader of motorcycle gang The Capsules, the script has sought out actors Garrett Hedlund, Michael Fassbender, Chris Pine, Justin Timberlake and Joaquin Phoenix.

For Kaneda’s troubled best friend Tetsuo, whose untapped psychic power provides the story’s central conflict, the brass have envisioned Robert Pattinson, Andrew Garfield or James McAvoy.

I guess this means Zac Efron is out of the running?

According to the blog, the film’s two leads are expected to be found among this group of actors, with the hope of starting production in August. Since Warner Bros. and Legendary’s 2008 acquisition of the property by manga publisher Kodansha, their intention has been to make two films, each covering three books of Otomo’s series.

3 Responses to “More Akira Live Action Movie News”

1. mike says:

   23/03/2011 at 10:11 am

   ?!???!!!
   they’re going to cast a bunch of WHITE GUYS???

   WHAT???!?!?!?

2. Lord Shaper says:

   23/03/2011 at 10:18 am

   It makes me wonder if they are going to move the city to somewhere else as well…

3. Manga Therapy says:

   26/03/2011 at 6:06 am

   Manhattan is filled with Asians. They should have an Asian lead, since the movie has a very Japanese feel to it.

   Then again, they probably have to change the name since “AKIRA” is Japanese to begin with.