Akira (Taika Waititi??)

[Dukefrukem]

I was just watching Adult Swim and they said that they are making Akira into a live action movie and Leo is Kaneda. Crazy.... but i LOVE IT!

This is the only thing I could find after a quick google and it's old news.

http://jalopnik.com/359319/leonardo-dicaprio-warner-brothers-to-remake-akira

[Skitch]

I also heard the rumor of Joseph Gordon Leavitt as Tetsuo. That would be fantastic. Unfortunately those two castings are supposedly false rumors.

[Dukefrukem]

I also heard the rumor of Joseph Gordon Leavitt as Tetsuo. That would be fantastic. Unfortunately those two castings are supposedly false rumors.

bah. should have figured coming from adult swim.

[Skitch]

Only real thing I've heard is that DiCaprio's production company is the crew making this flick.

[[ETM]]

Great casting idea for Tetsuo. I'm not saying anyone should ever make this but JGL is a great choice.

[Dukefrukem]

:(

dead as a doornail... (http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/16472)

What's a doornail btw? A nail in a door? And why is it dead?

[Sycophant]

Quoth Charles Dickens,



Marley was dead: to begin with. There is no doubt whatever about that. The register of his burial was signed by the clergyman, the clerk, the undertaker, and the chief mourner. Scrooge signed it: and Scrooge's name was good upon 'Change, for anything he chose to put his hand to. Old Marley was dead as a doornail. Mind I don’t mean to say that I know myself what there is particularly dead about a doornail. I’m more of a mind to regard a coffin nail as the deadest piece of ironmongery in the trade. But the wisdom of our ancestors is in the simile, and my unhallowed hands shall not disturb it or the country’s done for. Therefore, permit me to repeat emphatically that Marley was dead.

[D_Davis]

That's too bad. I was kind of looking forward to seeing how this would pan out.

[Sycophant]

Agreed. It would've been, at the very least, interesting.

[megladon8]

JGL would be good.

[Skitch]

JGL would be perfect.


Repaired.

[number8]

Ken Leung as Tetsuo.

[megladon8]

Children of Men screenwriters are working on the adaptation. (http://www.collider.com/2009/09/07/exclusive-akira-movie-update/)

And the studio states that this is still very much a priority, hoping that if all goes well it'll go into production next year and be released in 2011.

They also say this won't be some mid-range budget movie. This will be one of the big, tentpole releases for that year.

[Sycophant]

I am almost perversely interested in seeing this actually happen.

[number8]

I am surprisingly ambivalent either way.

[Ivan Drago]

They also say this won't be some mid-range budget movie. This will be one of the big, tentpole releases for that year.

As far as I'm concerned, 2011 so far is all about this, Lincoln, Batman 3, Spider-Man 4, Thor, Green Lantern, and Crank 3D. Looking like a huge year already if everything escapes preproduction.

[Skitch]

Akira Next For Hughes Brothers?
Kaanedaaaaaaa!
Source: Vulture

A live-action version of Katsuhiro Otomo's seminal manga and anime Akira has been grumbling away in development hell since the early 1990s. Last September saw the first news in a long time emerge, that a new script was being worked on by Mark Fergus and Hawk Ostby. And now we're hearing from New York Magazine's Vulture that Warners are finalising the paperwork with The Hughes Brothers to direct.

Fergus and Ostby co-wrote the excellent Children of Men (not to mention Iron Man and Cowboys Vs. Aliens) so they've proved they know their way around a dystopia. But The Hughes Brothers are a surprise. Clearly the performance of The Book of Eli has put them in favour at Warners, but nothing on their CV (Menace II Society, Dead Presidents, From Hell) so far has hinted at future projects of the colossal magnitude of Akira.

Leonardo DiCaprio's company Appian Way is part of the production team, along with Andrew Lazar, who's currently wrangling Jonah Hex. Talk is still of two films, each roughly covering three books of the six-volume manga (Otomo's two-hour original film was made before the books had finished, and ends differently), with a budget of at least $300m. We won't even attempt a plot synopsis but the idea last year seemed to be to relocate the story from Neo-Tokyo to a Neo-Manhattan.

If this comes off, it'll be a sci-fi extravaganza up there with Blade Runner and The Matrix and Avatar. If not, two words for you: Johnny Mnemonic. We'll be astonished if it isn't in 3D. And we'll be even more amazed if, as Vulture suggest, part one is released next year. Not a chance. We're saying 2012 at the earliest.
Owen Williams

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e125/skitchthemovieman/Net%20Fun/Futurama_Fry_Looking_Squint.jp g

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e125/skitchthemovieman/Net%20Fun/VaderNOOOOO.gif

[Ezee E]

The action sequences in Book of Eli were pretty great, and the Hughes Brothers have always had a good eye. I like this if it's true.

[KK2.0]

Neo Manhattan = NAY

DiCaprio as Kaneda = YAY

[Dukefrukem]

I'd watch it... hard.

[Dukefrukem]

Zac Efron as Kaneda? (http://www.slashfilm.com/2010/11/05/rumor-zac-efron-albert-hughes-akira/)

[Grouchy]

I want this project to stop.

[Dukefrukem]

Morgan Freeman as Colonel???

[Skitch]

*starts packing for Hollywood muder spree trip*

[Dukefrukem]

news trickling in


Steve Kloves, best known for adapting seven of the eight Harry Potter films for Warner Bros., has been recruited to polish the studio's live-action remake of Japanese manga epic Akira.

Albert Hughes is directing Akira, based on Katsuhiro Otomo's graphic novel set in a post-apocalyptic Japan. Warner acquired the Akira rights three years ago from publisher Kodansha and set it up with Andrew Lazar's Mad Chance with Appian Way's Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Davisson Killoran. Hughes and his brother, Allen Hughes. will also produce.

[BuffaloWilder]

Holy crap, this is turning out awesome.

[number8]

The rumor of James Franco playing Tetsuo is the first piece of news that got me excited.

[megladon8]

The rumor of James Franco playing Tetsuo is the first piece of news that got me excited.


I didn't know until just the other day that it's now "neo New York".

So when I heard the rumor that James Franco was playing Tetsuo I was thinking this was going to be sssoooo terrible if they were going to be casting white actors as characters that are clearly supposed to be Japanese.

So I imagine his name will not be "Tetsuo" in the movie.

[number8]

I would imagine that the only Japanese person on the movie will be Akira, just to keep the title.

[BuffaloWilder]

In the screenplay I read, there's a giant Asian cultural influence over the newly rebuilt Neo-New York - so, a lot of people end up with Asian first names. Tetsuo being one of them, if I'm remembering right.

[Sycophant]

Thought I read somewheres that "Tetsuo" would become "Travis."

[Watashi]

I really want this to get made.

Am I in the minority for that?

[Ezee E]

I'm all for it with the Hughes Brothers behind it.

[Stay Puft]

I didn't know until just the other day that it's now "neo New York".

So when I heard the rumor that James Franco was playing Tetsuo I was thinking this was going to be sssoooo terrible if they were going to be casting white actors as characters that are clearly supposed to be Japanese.

So I imagine his name will not be "Tetsuo" in the movie.


I would imagine that the only Japanese person on the movie will be Akira, just to keep the title.


In the screenplay I read, there's a giant Asian cultural influence over the newly rebuilt Neo-New York - so, a lot of people end up with Asian first names. Tetsuo being one of them, if I'm remembering right.

Brilliant.

Taking the story out of Japan... what is the point of all of this.

Nobody answer that.

[Watashi]

Akira never screamed "Japan" anyway. The story could be set anywhere.

[Sven]

Akira never screamed "Japan" anyway. The story could be set anywhere.

Ummm....

[Dead & Messed Up]

Akira never screamed "Japan" anyway. The story could be set anywhere.

As I remember it, Akira was distinctly Japanese, given its nuclear origins (Neo-Tokyo is created atop the ruins of an atomic explosion) and motifs (the explosion at the end purposefully evokes that level of destruction), both of which connect to Japanese fears of nuclear holocaust. That connection isn't quite as blunt as what you'll find in Godzilla, but I'd have trouble saying there isn't a strong connection between the original film and its setting.

[Skitch]

I get nervous every time this thread resurfaces.

[number8]

As I remember it, Akira was distinctly Japanese, given its nuclear origins (Neo-Tokyo is created atop the ruins of an atomic explosion)

Not exactly on top. Neo Tokyo is on a man-made island near the old Tokyo's crater.

I wouldn't say that it's untranslatable, given that post-war economic and social unrest and nuclear fear are universal feelings, but the world of AKIRA directly mirrors Japan right after WWII, yes, so I do think it would lose something there.

[Sven]

I wouldn't say that it's untranslatable, given that post-war economic and social unrest and nuclear fear are universal feelings, but the world of AKIRA directly mirrors Japan right after WWII, yes, so I do think it would lose something there.

Sure those feelings are universal, but I would think it would be a retarding of subtext to transplant the story to the country that H-bombed Japan in the first place.

[number8]

Ha, totally didn't even think of that. That would be a huge insult, wouldn't it?

[Sven]

I really want this to get made.

Am I in the minority for that?

After dwelling on this project for a bit, I sure hope so.

[Morris Schæffer]

Pattinson, Garfield or McAvoy eyed for Tetsuo role while Fassbender, Pine, Phoenix, Timberlake or Garrett Hedlund may play Kaneda.

http://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?NID=30480

[Mara]

Maybe it's just the big-eyed, androgynous way that anime draws men, but I always thought of the main characters as being far, far younger than they seem to want to cast them. I always thought they were, like, 19.

[D_Davis]

Maybe it's just the big-eyed, androgynous way that anime draws men, but I always thought of the main characters as being far, far younger than they seem to want to cast them. I always thought they were, like, 19.


In some anime that style is true, but not with Otomo. That's one of my favorite things about his style - the characters tend to look their age, and the guys look like guys. 19 is right around the right age for the main biker characters in Akira.

[Skitch]

I thought they were 16-17...late high school age.

[Mara]

Then they need to stop tossing around the names of guys in their thirties.

[number8]

Pattinson is 24, and he can probably pull off a pretty good Tetsuo, actually.

[Mara]

Pattinson is 24, and he can probably pull off a pretty good Tetsuo, actually.

I've never seen him in anything. Oh, except HP. He was okay in that.

Wouldn't kill them to find a talented unknown.

[D_Davis]

I thought they were 16-17...late high school age.


I always imagined Kaneda's gang being 15-19 with the Clowns being a bit older.

[number8]

They show their birthdates on a file in the film. Kaneda is 16 and Tetsuo is 15.

[Dukefrukem]

Please no Timberlake. I can see Pine playing Kaneda. You could see some of that role in that apocalypse movie he did.

[Henry Gale]

They're playing this smart though, because for every male fan of the source material there is, it's any two choices from that lineup of actors that will suddenly make the girlfriends and sisters of those fans suddenly interested in seeing this. It's like the reverse of studios casting attractive actresses in romantic comedies.

[Mara]

http://www.cracked.com/blog/5-urgent-questions-about-live-action-akira-remake/

[MadMan]

http://www.cracked.com/blog/5-urgent-questions-about-live-action-akira-remake/One of the great things about Cracked's articles is that they make you laugh, while also stating honest, uncomfortable opinions. Having finally seen Akira, the idea of them turning it into whitey American central and casting the dude from Twilight sounds godawful.

[number8]

Kaneda is now in his 20's, Mark Wahlberg confirmed to play him. (http://goo.gl/lh3rP)

Hmmm.

[Skitch]

Kaneda is now in his 20's, Mark Wahlberg confirmed to play him. (http://goo.gl/lh3rP)

Hmmm.


Hmmm...no...ahnooo...I don't think so.

:lol:

[D_Davis]

That's a rough 20.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OZEW1KPpFOI/TG2-nDNDSjI/AAAAAAAADj8/xN1uUG_kd64/s1600/wahlberg.jpg

[Qrazy]

40 is the new 16.

[Mara]

Oh dear. Robert Brockway, who wrote the above Cracked article, claims someone sent him the actual script.

http://www.cracked.com/blog/the-actual-live-action-akira-script-worse-than-you-think/

[number8]

If it's legit, I can't think of a way to make this story more Americanized than what that script describes.

[Dukefrukem]

meh i dont buy it.

[number8]

Oh, Takei.

http://twitter.com/#!/GeorgeTakei/status/58948987692138496

[Watashi]

Does anyone think an all-Asian Akira remake would do ANY money at all?

[number8]

Does anyone think an all-Asian Akira remake would do ANY money at all?

Not in the US, but it'll probably do okay internationally.

[Sycophant]

Yeah, no one saw Memoirs of a Geisha with all those box office-poison Asians.

[Ezee E]

No one even bothers to try because studios just fear that idea.

With something that would have a budget like Akira I could understand. But still.

[number8]

Yeah, no one saw Memoirs of a Geisha with all those box office-poison Asians.

That movie was a limited release and didn't even make back its budget in the US.

[DavidSeven]

If it was perceived as good and well-marketed, people would see it. See: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. They could sell something with a concept like this as an "event" status film without any names.

It just seems really silly the way they're going about it now.

[Sycophant]

That movie was a limited release and didn't even make back its budget in the US.

It did do a domestic $57 million, which isn't too shabby for a limited release.

I mean, it may be true, but the accepted assumption that white people won't go see a movie without white people starring is so deeply racist, it makes me sad.

[number8]

What's silly is that it's even an issue, regardless of whether or not it's true. It's fucking Warner Bros. They did fucking Matrix. They should be able to figure out that an Akira movie would do gangbusters outside the US. Who the hell cares about the box office here?

[Ezee E]

It did do a domestic $57 million, which isn't too shabby for a limited release.

I mean, it may be true, but the accepted assumption that white people won't go see a movie without white people starring is so deeply racist, it makes me sad.
Tyler Perry does very well for himself.

Maybe the Asians need a Tyler Perry.

[Ezee E]

What's silly is that it's even an issue, regardless of whether or not it's true. It's fucking Warner Bros. They did fucking Matrix. They should be able to figure out that an Akira movie would do gangbusters outside the US. Who the hell cares about the box office here?
This too. With International box office sales trumping the US sales, it actually does surprise me that a few studios don't target international releases instead.

[DavidSeven]

They should be spending the money on innovative effects instead of big name white stars. No reason they couldn't sell this like Tron: Legacy. People didn't even know who was in that movie when they paid to see it.

[Ezee E]

Akira is also one of those rare titles that I think everyone has heard of. Just knowing that a live-action version is being made will already gauge interest.

[number8]

Tyler Perry does very well for himself.

Maybe the Asians need a Tyler Perry.

I remember seeing a panel discussion about this, I believe at the San Francisco Asian-American film festival or something similar, and I wish I can remember more details, but basically it's believed that it's not a matter of Asians not being white. Denzel and Will Smith can debunk that. It's a matter of America having a harder time perceiving Asian males as sex symbols. It's actually much easier to greenlight a project with an Asian female lead, because there is a widespread sexual fetish there. That's why if you look at Jackie Chan and Jet Li's American movies, they are very castrated, and it's made clear that it's supposed to fall into the niche of kung fu, which is separate from the leading male persona. Sex appeal is something studios take very seriously when it comes to a star, and there's still a prevailing cultural aversion to look at Asian dudes as being sexy.

[D_Davis]

It's a matter of America having a harder time perceiving Asian males as sex symbols. It's actually much easier to greenlight a project with an Asian female lead, because there is a widespread sexual fetish there.

Bingo.

Been saying that for years.

[Skitch]

I cast Akira in my RT days. I wonder if I can find that again.

[EyesWideOpen]

Bingo.

Been saying that for years.

They should get the lead guy from The Man From Nowhere. He's pretty dreamy.

[D_Davis]

They should get the lead guy from The Man From Nowhere. He's pretty dreamy.

Korean dudes are good looking.

Daniel Dae Kim should be huge here.

[number8]

Actually, I remember a profile on Daniel Dae Kim on EW or People or something like that about how he's considered the first male Asian-American sex symbol.

[Dukefrukem]

What is this news update? Twitter is blocked.

[Ezee E]

I'd think Bruce Lee was?

[number8]

I'd think Bruce Lee was?

Considering how he was pretty much unknown in the States before Enter the Dragon, which was only released after his death, I find that unlikely.

People forget that Green Hornet was not successful and was canceled after one season.

[Ezee E]

Considering how he was pretty much unknown in the States before Enter the Dragon, which was only released after his death, I find that unlikely.

People forget that Green Hornet was not successful and was canceled after one season.
Well, then I half agree.

I don't really think Daniel Dae Kim has been considered a sex symbol.

[D_Davis]

Actually, I remember a profile on Daniel Dae Kim on EW or People or something like that about how he's considered the first male Asian-American sex symbol.

He was poised to be, but then Americans realized that he was Asian.

[D_Davis]

That's a good looking man.

http://bestof.provocateuse.com/images/photos/daniel_dae_kim_96.jpg

[megladon8]

I've always thought both Chow Yun Fat and Ken Watanabe to be fantastic looking guys.

[Irish]

No reason they couldn't sell this like Tron: Legacy. People didn't even know who was in that movie when they paid to see it.

I speculate most people knew Tron and knew Jeff Bridges was in both movies. I also speculate that a lot of people regret buying tickets (the thing was a domestic dud).

Akira is much more obscure IP. I can't see this coming in under $200MM, so I can't begrudge the studio for hedging their bets and not wanting to cast unknown minorities in leading roles.

Yeah, the whole thing sounds ridiculous but then once upon a time, so did the idea of casting Arnold in a PKD story.


It's fucking Warner Bros. They did fucking Matrix. They should be able to figure out that an Akira movie would do gangbusters outside the US.

WB has a long, sad history of having its head up its ass about its own properties (see: Superman). Besides that, the only scorecard that matters is domestic BO.

[[ETM]]

I also speculate that a lot of people regret buying tickets (the thing was a domestic dud).

Broke even in the US and made several hundred million globally. Yeah, a total dud.

[DavidSeven]

I speculate most people knew Tron and knew Jeff Bridges was in both movies.

You speculate wrong. That movie was sold on its effects alone.

[number8]

;339723']Broke even in the US and made several hundred million globally. Yeah, a total dud.

He did say domestic dud, but still, it's not one, either. While it fell short of expectations given the hype, it still did very well for a holiday family film. It opened #1, became the highest grossing movie of December and the 12th highest grossing movie of 2010. It's chalked up as a success.

[Irish]

;339723']Broke even in the US and made several hundred million globally. Yeah, a total dud.

1) It didn't break even. You're forgetting the massive marketing budget that movie had.

2) Did you miss the part where I said domestic BO is the only thing that matters? It's great if a movie generates income in foreign markets, cable, and DVDs .. but the number everybody watches is US ticket sales.

[Raiders]

It's great if a movie generates income in foreign markets, cable, and DVDs .. but the number everybody watches is US ticket sales.

Pretty sure that's not correct, unless by "everybody" you mean silly box office tracking sites.

[Scar]

Pretty sure that's not correct, unless by "everybody" you mean silly box office tracking sites.

http://gaygamer.net/images/thumbs-up.jpg

[Morris Schæffer]

http://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?NID=30902

Keanu Reeves wanted as Kaneda.

[Dukefrukem]

Could work...http://blastr.com/assets_c/2011/05/KeanuReeves050611-thumb-550x413-61914.jpg

[Qrazy]

Wrong thread?

[Dukefrukem]

Wrong thread?

http://files.notebookforums.com/images/smilies/headscratch.gif

[Qrazy]

Oh, didn't see. Thought he was playing Spike not Kaneda.

[Ezee E]

Hughes is out according to Variety. I don't have full access to see the reasoning.

That's a big disappointment there.

[BuffaloWilder]

Okay, guys. That's it. I can't keep it a secret any longer.

I'm directing this film.

[Skitch]

Can you please hire me or 8 to cast this? Pretty please?

[number8]

Not surprising, but while this was going on, they redesigned Kaneda's bike:

http://chrisweston.blogspot.com/2011/06/back-from-grave.html

[Sven]

Not surprising, but while this was going on, they redesigned Kaneda's bike:

http://chrisweston.blogspot.com/2011/06/back-from-grave.html

Weston is great peeps. I guess it'll be guaranteed to have a nice concept art coffee table book.

[Dukefrukem]

Jaume Collet-Serra to direct. ("Orphan" "Unknown")

$90 million budget

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118039904?refCatId=13

Both those movies are on the lower side of mediocre, but both had great potential and solid casts.

[number8]

HAHAHAHAHA.

[Ezee E]

Booooooooooooooooooooooooooooo oooooooo.

[Dukefrukem]

This is greenlit with a $90 million budget

Oh and Garrett Hedlund In Talks For Kaneda

[[ETM]]

Lightcycle to Kaneda's bike? That's one bit of typecasting I can't really understand.

[Dukefrukem]

yes Yes YES!


Garrett Hedlund is in talks for Kaneda, and now TwitchFilm is reporting that Helena Bonham Carter is in talks to play Lady Miyako and Gary Oldman is in talks to play one of the film's pivotal characters, the Colonel.

[MadMan]

I still am strongly against this movie, but hey I'll wait for final judgement until a trailer arrives. It might have to get strong word of mouth for me to consider seeing it.

[Grouchy]

I will never see it. I don't need it.

[Morris Schæffer]

Garrett Hedlund definitely the frontrunner to play lead

http://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?NID=32269

[Morris Schæffer]

Kristen stewart offered female lead. I've no idea whether that is good or bad or something inbetween.

[number8]

Too bad about Hedlund as Kaneda. If Pattinson gets Tetsuo and Stewart is Kei, I'd love to see Taylor Lautner as Kaneda, just to see a million heads explode.

[D_Davis]

The story's plot could be boiled down to being about nothing but teen angst, and that's probably what it'll be.

[Morris Schæffer]

http://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?NID=32542

Watanabe offered the Oldman role?

[number8]

Plot synopsis from a call sheet:


Kaneda (Garret Hedlund) is a bar owner in Neo-Manhattan who is stunned when his brother, Tetsuo, is abducted by government agents led by The Colonel (Ken Watanabe). Desperate to get his brother back, Kaneda agrees to join with Ky Reed (Kristen Stewart) and her underground movement who are intent on revealing to the world what truly happened to New York City thirty years ago when it was destroyed. Kaneda believes their theories to be ludicrous but after finding his brother again, is shocked when he displays telekinetic powers. Ky believes Tetsuo is headed to release a young boy, Akira, who has taken control of Tetsuo's mind. Kaneda clashes with The Colonel's troops on his way to stop Tetsuo from releasing Akira but arrives too late. Akira soon emerges from his prison courtesy of Tetsuo as Kaneda races in to save his brother before Akira once again destroys Manhattan island, as he did thirty years ago.

[Mara]

Oh dear. Robert Brockway, who wrote the above Cracked article, claims someone sent him the actual script.

http://www.cracked.com/blog/the-actual-live-action-akira-script-worse-than-you-think/

Oh, look. Brockway was totally right.

[Watashi]

I don't want to see this movie anymore.

[number8]

Since it seems so arbitrary, I can only assume that the reason they changed Kaneda and Tetsuo to brothers is because they're afraid that showing two friends being so loyal to each other is too gay.

[Dead & Messed Up]

Since it seems so arbitrary, I can only assume that the reason they changed Kaneda and Tetsuo to brothers is because they're afraid that showing two friends being so loyal to each other is too gay.

Maybe. I bet it's because Hollywood never hesitates to maximize the personal stakes. So friends become brothers, girlfriends become wives, Harrison Ford's look for his family, and Tom Jane just wants his kids back.

[number8]

Maybe. I bet it's because Hollywood never hesitates to maximize the personal stakes. So friends become brothers, girlfriends become wives, Harrison Ford's look for his family, and Tom Jane just wants his kids back.

But that's the point. The original source has Kaneda and Tetsuo as being practically brothers since they grew up from childhood together. Logistically, presented as such, the stakes would appear equal whether or not they're blood, but I think there's this block where they think a guy like Kaneda wouldn't be so protective and caring towards Tetsuo and risking his life to save him if they're just dude-buds. They think that when audiences see that kind of emotional relationship, they'll assume that they're gay, unless there's the blood caveat. Though to be fair, that did happen when Frodo-Samwise didn't shy away from it.

[Dukefrukem]

Since it seems so arbitrary, I can only assume that the reason they changed Kaneda and Tetsuo to brothers is because they're afraid that showing two friends being so loyal to each other is too gay.

Not too gay. I just think American's have a hard time accepting the extremes Kaneda goes through to "save" Tetsuo. In the original, the last time they see Tetuso, he's taken off the street and put into an govenrment ambulance type vehicle. Why would anyone question that other than it was weird Tetsuo immediately started feeling sink and there was an ambulance ready to take him to the hospital? There was no real reason to break into a government facility.

[number8]

See my previous post.

[Irish]

:lol: Wow, what? You're reading waaaaay too much into it.

It's an action movie and the relationship change is just Hollywood shorthand. They're brothers because instead of showing or explaining the depth of the relationship in the backstory, you can just have them say it in dialogue and the everyone in the audience will get it, guaranteed. Takes less writing and less time & it's (perceived to be) easier to understand. It's also lazy and a bit condescending, but hey, whaddya gonna do?

[number8]

I don't get it. Shorthand for what? Does "we're childhood best friends" really take that much longer to say than "we're brothers"? That's what they did in the original anime. There's no elaborate flashbacks to how close they were growing up or anything like that. They're best friends. Boom. Done.

[Mara]

Rumors the production is nosediving.

http://www.avclub.com/articles/warner-bros-finally-catches-up-to-everyone-else-an,67258/

[D_Davis]

There's no elaborate flashbacks to how close they were growing up or anything like that. They're best friends. Boom. Done.

Actually, the most emotionally charged part of the original anime are the flashbacks to when they were kids. Easily my favorite part of the entire film. That whole flashback sequence perfect illustrates their friendship.

[number8]

Oh shit, that's right. Towards the end of the movie, when Kaneda enters their minds. Totally forgot about that part.

[D_Davis]

Oh shit, that's right. Towards the end of the movie, when Kaneda enters their minds. Totally forgot about that part.

It's not overly long, nor is it elaborate, but it is very well done. Great use of color and sound.

[number8]

It's not overly long, nor is it elaborate, but it is very well done. Great use of color and sound.

Right, and it's at the end of the movie, where we already spent an hour watching Kaneda go to great lengths trying to save his best friend. I guess what I meant is that there's no attempt to needlessly establish the depth of their relationship in order to justify their actions.

[number8]

Rumors the production is nosediving.

http://www.avclub.com/articles/warner-bros-finally-catches-up-to-everyone-else-an,67258/

"Would I be embarrassing myself if I confess that I have no idea wtf this Akira thing is?"
"Neither do I, because I don't watch Nickolodeon."

That is one very effective troll.

[D_Davis]

Right, and it's at the end of the movie, where we already spent an hour watching Kaneda go to great lengths trying to save his best friend. I guess what I meant is that there's no attempt to needlessly establish the depth of their relationship in order to justify their actions.

Right - it's done more to establish the anguish they both feel over what will inevitably happen.

I mean really, they're already in a gang together. That's shorthand enough to say "hey, we're like brothers."

[MadMan]

Rumors the production is nosediving.

http://www.avclub.com/articles/warner-bros-finally-catches-up-to-everyone-else-an,67258/Perfectly fine with me. This movie wasn't a good idea from the beginning.

[Dukefrukem]

Plus we have Chronicle coming out soon anyway. It's the same movie.

[Dukefrukem]

Jonathan Nolan and/or Michael Green to rewrite the script? (http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118048156)

[number8]

This Toby Kebbell dude is all right. (http://www.ifc.com/fix/2012/03/akira-movie-toby-kebbell)


“I was desperate to play Tetsuo, but Tetsuo in the comic and annual form,” he explained. “He’s brilliant in the anime, but if you know anything about the comics, they cut so much of the story out. You care about him, because it’s brilliantly done, but you don’t really care about Kaneda, who isn’t.”

“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 fuck are you doing?’”

[Dukefrukem]

Funny. I posted this in the Fantasy Movie Draft thread because my script that I wrote had them both as brothers. I did a straight adaptation of the movie rather than the manga. My movie looks terrible now.... except that Chris Nolan is writing it. :)

[number8]

I do want to try the Akira magma. That sounds hot.

[Dukefrukem]

:lol:

[Dukefrukem]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1GO-93Nt3c

[Skitch]

Not gonna lie, that was pretty cool.

[number8]

Ha, it's Kevin from Supernatural. He's not cocky enough to be Kaneda.

[Dukefrukem]

Super cool rumor: WB is trying to court Justin Lin to helm this.

[Henry Gale]

Lin: "So first off, we obviously need to set this in Japan and have a mostly Japanese cast."

WB: "It's been a pleasure, Justin. We'll keep in touch if anything comes up."

[Skitch]

Yup!

[number8]

Justin Lin seems to have a habit of taking on remake projects just to delay it indefinitely.

[Dukefrukem]

Del Toro and Spielberg are excellent at delaying projects as well.

[Henry Gale]

Justin Lin seems to have a habit of taking on remake projects just to delay it indefinitely.

To think he was set to do the next Renner Bourne movie after Furious 6 before Damon and Greengrass coughed in Universal's direction and instantly collapsed the whole idea. I think he lucked out with that Trek thing, though.

But yeah, Highlander, Lone and Wolf Cub, that L.A. Riots project, The Shaolin Temple, Times Square, his passion project 32 Miles, Hibernation, The Breach.... Things aren't looking great for Space Jam 2!

Hey, at least that fifth Terminator eventually got made without him!

[transmogrifier]

At what point do you, as a movie studio, just give up on this?

[Dukefrukem]

Pretty awesome concept art for this.

https://ruairi-robinson.squarespace.com/images/

http://i1.wp.com/bloody-disgusting.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/y0jiaikteyrysidlytjd.jpg?w=100 0

[Neclord]

Shouldn't they change the name of it to, like, "Josh"

[Dukefrukem]

OMG Rumor of the day: Warner Bros. Wants Jordan Peele to direct this. Yes please.

http://www.tracking-board.com/hot-off-get-out-jordan-peele-is-being-courted-to-direct-akira-for-warner-bros-exclusive/

[Spinal]

I wish that the 'reward' for innovative young filmmakers wasn't big budget remakes or sequels of somebody else's vision.

[TGM]

OMG Rumor of the day: Warner Bros. Wants Jordan Peele to direct this. Yes please.

http://www.tracking-board.com/hot-off-get-out-jordan-peele-is-being-courted-to-direct-akira-for-warner-bros-exclusive/

I'm pretty sure Jordan Peele has already stated he has no interest in taking on any of these big franchise projects, and wants to stick to making his more personal films, at least for the time being.

[Dukefrukem]

I'm pretty sure Jordan Peele has already stated he has no interest in taking on any of these big franchise projects, and wants to stick to making his more personal films, at least for the time being.

"Hey Jordan, we'll give you $20 million to direct Akira"

[megladon8]

How about, I dunno, a Japanese director?

[Skitch]

"Hey Jordan, we'll give you $20 million to direct Akira"

"I took another look at the material and really fell in love with the world of Akira."

[Dead & Messed Up]

I wish that the 'reward' for innovative young filmmakers wasn't big budget remakes or sequels of somebody else's vision.

Problem is when their agent storms in and says, "You'd better play ball, motherfucker-- you're gonna take this to development, get the exec producer credit, I get my slice-- then you can puss out on creative differences."

[Ezee E]

"I took another look at the material and really fell in love with the world of Akira."

With how fast the movies can get made, a sacrifice of 2-3 years for Akira will help him fund 10-15 years for whatever the hell he wants. Why not?

Until Akira 2 I guess.

[Skitch]

Yaaaah, I don't care if or who makes this. :) If its great, great. If its sucks, oh well. I have the good one on blu-ray, so I'm good.

[Spinal]

Jordan Peele is not doing it. (http://www.avclub.com/article/jordan-peele-wont-direct-live-action-akira-after-a-255445?) Thank goodness.

[Dukefrukem]

Oh shit

https://deadline.com/2017/09/akira-taika-waititi-director-thor-ragnarok-1202173164/

[Skitch]

Nah.

[Ivan Drago]

Yeah, no. I like him, but he doesn't fit the material.

[Dukefrukem]

Getting closer?? (https://deadline.com/2019/04/leonardo-dicaprio-akira-california-tax-credits-warner-bros-paramount-1202586735/)

[Skitch]

I swear you do this just to make my heart palpitate. :D

[Wryan]

While I'm super glad to hear Waititi is on board, I remain unconvinced that this will succeed in any significant way, especially in the wake of Ghost in the Shell and Alita. Regarding the latter, I watched both the 60ish-minute OVA animation and the recent movie version. It has a nice world it presents, one that feels worthy of a better story and better execution. It has its small charms, but it doesn't really work. Also lol at Ed Norton in that terrible fucking wig.

[megladon8]

Annnnnnf yet another one of those projects that I don’t believe is ever going to happen.

Call me when there’s a trailer.

Or don’t, ‘cause, like, I don’t want or need this.

[Skitch]

As I've said forever, I'll believe it when cameras roll.

[Skitch]

As I've said forever, I'll believe it when cameras roll.

This sounds like it might actually get off the ground. Taika Waititis Akira to begin filming this july. (https://www.joblo.com/horror-movies/news/taika-waititis-akira-begin-filming-this-july)

[MadMan]

Nothing they put out will touch the original classic.

[Skitch]

Nothing they put out will touch the original classic.

I'm the choir, organist, secretary, and flock here, but preach on.

[megladon8]

Wait...Skitch likes Akira?

[Skitch]

Wait...Skitch likes Akira?


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TlXHCykk7fU

[MadMan]

I'm the choir, organist, secretary, and flock here, but preach on.Yessir.

[Lazlo]

Waititi confirmed. May 21, 2021, which puts it opening opposite John Wick: Chapter 4. (https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/akira-movie-release-date-set-sets-may-2021-1213499?fbclid=IwAR2SrPzCcCTU2 qK1_JpVh9MpozWUYK2DoO4mMuSfY3U 0RFaGpnJQaeKdQYQ)

[Dukefrukem]

Mind can't comprehend.

[Skitch]

Mind can't comprehend.

Me either.

[megladon8]

I’ll still believe it when we see stills and/or a trailer.

This project has been confirmed so many times. Remember how long Leo was confirmed to be Kaneda and it was going to start filming soon?

[Skitch]

Right there with you Meg. Though with that director attached it does some like this is the most possible iteration. I feel more positive with him at the helm because I don't think he would whitewash it.

Heres a different direction to take the thread...I don't believe any of us are cool with whitewashing movies, but what about minor side characters? Is it socially acceptable if all the mains are origin maintained and they put whiteys in minor side roles? You know studio heads are having that conversation.

[Ivan Drago]

I want to be excited about this and have faith in Taika, I really do....but it’s been through development hell with so many terrible script drafts and had so many people attached to it, that hotshotting this just reeks of Warner Brothers' desperation to get the movie done than lose the rights. Plus the turns in the source material are impossible to imagine in live-action.

This is a disaster waiting to happen.

[Ezee E]

If casting happens, I'll believe. They better get their PR ready.

[megladon8]

If casting happens, I'll believe. They better get their PR ready.

Leo was cast for the better part of a decade.

Call me when they’re filming.

[Dukefrukem]

Meg you've said that like 5 times in this thread. Anything new to add?

[megladon8]

Sorry didn’t realize that was being policed.

[Dukefrukem]

You're not. You post that line a lot, and it seems to be your candid response any time any news short of a trailer is released. Speculating is fun.

[MadMan]

meg has a point. However I have to side with Duke that guessing what a movie will be like and if it will ever happen is fun.

I remember when Keanu was supposed to be in this and also play Spike in a live action Cowboy Bebop. Or maybe it was just Bebop.

[megladon8]

I find this much more exciting. (https://m.ca.ign.com/articles/2019/07/05/new-akira-anime-series-announced-with-new-movie-from-akira-creator)

[Skitch]

I want it all!

[Dukefrukem]

Skitch do you have that box set?

[Skitch]

Skitch do you have that box set?

Are you talking about his complete works? It hasn't been released yet.

[Dukefrukem]

Are you talking about his complete works? It hasn't been released yet.

No I'm talking about that Box Set (https://www.amazon.com/Akira-35th-Anniversary-Box-Set/dp/1632364611/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=akira&qid=1562371300&s=gateway&sr=8-2) from that video in the link above.

[Skitch]

No I'm talking about that Box Set (https://www.amazon.com/Akira-35th-Anniversary-Box-Set/dp/1632364611/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=akira&qid=1562371300&s=gateway&sr=8-2) from that video in the link above.

No, I wish.

[Skitch]

On today of all days, reports of this being postponed indefinitely. :D

[Irish]

Seems officially dead: Warner Bros. Removes 'Akira' From Slate, Gives Its Release Slot to 'Matrix 4' (https://www.thewrap.com/warner-bros-removes-akira-from-slate-gives-its-release-slot-to-matrix-4/)

[transmogrifier]

Waititi has probably already signed on to direct 5 new movies now that his schedule has opened up.

[megladon8]

Cue sad trombone!

[Skitch]

Guys, I'm over 40 now. Its practically a medical attack on my person every time you bump this thread for non-news. :p

[Dukefrukem]

Seems officially dead: Warner Bros. Removes 'Akira' From Slate, Gives Its Release Slot to 'Matrix 4' (https://www.thewrap.com/warner-bros-removes-akira-from-slate-gives-its-release-slot-to-matrix-4/)

The internet is calling that day Keanu Day since it's also the same release date as John Wick 4.

[Ezee E]

The internet is calling that day Keanu Day since it's also the same release date as John Wick 4.

I can't decide if that's amazing planning or incredibly dumb to do. Leaning to amazing.

[megladon8]

While the rest of you punk asses are watching The Matrix 4 and John Wick 4, I’ll be celebrating Keanu Day the right way.

By watching the video for Paula Abdul’s “Rush, Rush” on an endless loop.

[Dukefrukem]

You own this Skitch yet? Back in stock.

https://www.amazon.com/Akira-35th-Anniversary-Box-Set/dp/1632364611/ref=sr_1_17?keywords=akira&qid=1579185656&sr=8-17

[Skitch]

You own this Skitch yet? Back in stock.

https://www.amazon.com/Akira-35th-Anniversary-Box-Set/dp/1632364611/ref=sr_1_17?keywords=akira&qid=1579185656&sr=8-17

They must have only gotten one in, because its gone now lol