Live Action Akira

[Dr.Strangefate]

Apparently Joseph Gordon Levitt is Tetsuo and Leo DiCaprio is Kaneda... So are we just going to ignore that its supposed to be Japan? Or is this going to be Americanized?

 

[Planet-man]

Apparently Joseph Gordon Levitt is Tetsuo and Leo DiCaprio is Kaneda... So are we just going to ignore that its supposed to be Japan? Or is this going to be Americanized?

That'll teach 'em for stealing our Batman DTVs!

 

[McCheese]

That's... awesome?


I thought I'd be way more excited if they finally made this into a live action movie, but Leo is throwing me off a bit. Not because of his acting chops, but mostly because he is ghost white. If he can pull off Japanese biker I'll be very impressed.

 

[Iceshadow]

I wanna know who plays the old midget kids.

 

[Dr.Strangefate]

I think its great casting for the characters, but I was seriously expecting them to go the asian route.

 

[Joe Kalicki]

I hope it makes sense.

 

[Hibiki]

WHAT?! aren't these kids supposed to be in their mid-teens? This sounds kinda stupid seeing as how Akira is a big staple in Japanimation. I don't think changing the plot or direction would help to bring in new fans and probably piss of the old ones.

 

[DIrishB]

WHAT?! aren't these kids supposed to be in their mid-teens? This sounds kinda stupid seeing as how Akira is a big staple in Japanimation. I don't think changing the plot or direction would help to bring in new fans and probably piss of the old ones.

Too true, but I'm sure the producers feel that casting Asian actors (who aren't as big name as Leo Dicaprio, or even Joseph Levitt) in the roles will result in lower profit. Its a simple fact of the Hollywood business, big names usually equal big dollars. They'll probably Americanize it to some degree, if not totally. By doing so they probably feel it'll be easier for American audiences to relate to and digest.

 

[The Overlord]

I think its great casting for the characters, but I was seriously expecting them to go the asian route.

The problem is almost no anime character actually looks asian, Akira is bit better than most because no one has blond hair.

 

[Hibiki]

The problem is almost no anime character actually looks asian, Akira is bit better than most because no one has blond hair.

what about the fact the movie takes place in Japan?

 

[The Overlord]

what about the fact the movie takes place in Japan?

Assuming they don't change the location in the movie.

 

[Random]

It will be set in New York

Warner Bros. Planning Two Akira Pics
Source: Variety
February 20, 2008


Warner Bros. will turn anime artist Katsuhiro Otomo's six-volume graphic novel masterwork "Akira" into two live action feature films, the first of which is being fast tracked for release in summer 2009, reports Variety.

WB, which had the "Akira" rights several years ago, only to let them lapse and then recapture them in a spirited bidding battle, is planning a twin-bill that the filmmakers have described as Blade Runner meets City of God.

The studio has closed a seven-figure rights acquisition deal with Kodansha, and has set Ruairi Robinson to direct a script by Gary Whitta (Book of Eli). Andrew Lazar's Mad Chance will produce with Appian Way's Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Davisson.

Each feature will be comprised of three of the books in Otomo's series. The drama takes place in "New Manhattan," a metropolis that was rebuilt after being destroyed 31 years ago.

 

[Hibiki]

Assuming they don't change the location in the movie.

true, but then you would have to assume they would change the names into Bill and Cody because there's no way you could get away with calling two pale American actors Tetsuo and Kaneda.

 

[Foolsfolly]

Apparently Joseph Gordon Levitt is Tetsuo and Leo DiCaprio is Kaneda... So are we just going to ignore that its supposed to be Japan? Or is this going to be Americanized?

DO NOT WANT

The original's fine (and the manga's not too shabby either). Why would I want to see an American version with a Christian bent to it?

 

[The Overlord]

It will be set in New York

Well that's just pointless then, they might as well make a blade runner sequel instead.

 

[Hibiki]

I hate DiCaprio.

 

[Victor Von Doom]

Funny.

Moony was just talking about doing this a few weeks ago.

 

[Entropy]

Blade Runner meets City of God. OK, I'll bite.

I don't really much care that they're changing the location, or that the actors are going to be Caucasian, just as long as they keep the basic themes and meditations that made the manga/movie great. And please, they can get away with Leo and Joseph being named Kaneda and Tetsuo. It's New York City. Hell of a town.

 

[Planet-man]

Well that's just pointless then, they might as well make a blade runner sequel instead.

That's Los Angelos.:wink:

I hate DiCaprio.

Really? I think it's stupid to do this with Americans, but DiCaprio has shown time and again that he's a fantastic, very versitile actor. I look forward to seeing him in this.


























He's better than Eva Mendez.

 

[Lynx]

Really? I think it's stupid to do this with Americans, but DiCaprio has shown time and again that he's a fantastic, very versitile actor. I look forward to seeing him in this.

I have to agree with this. As someone who busted on to the scene as "The Pretty Boy" actor, he's done some damn fine work. Hell, I think he's brilliant in Catch Me If You Can, The Aviator, and The Departed.