by the fans for the fans

'Book Of Eli' Directors In Negotiations For 'Akira' Movie
Submitted by Josh Wigler on 2/10/10 2:01pm EST - Commented on 0 times

www.manga.com/news/book-eli-directors-negotiations-akira-movie



"Book of Eli" directors Albert and Allen Hughes are picking up a different book for their next movie collaboration — none other than "Akira," the adaptation of the popular manga series.

According to New York Magazine, Warner Bros. is currently negotiating a deal with the Hughes brothers to direct the live-action adaptation of "Akira," which comes from a script by "Iron Man" writers Mark Fergus and Hawk Otsby. Leonardo DiCaprio's Appian Way is producing.

"Akira," written and illustrated by Katsuhiro Otomo, takes place in the post-apocalyptic city of Neo-Tokyo and focuses on a biker gang led by the charismatic Kaneda. His best friend is Tetsuo, a man that develops psychic abilities and rapidly loses hold of his sanity. As Tetsuo's powers grow deadlier and deadlier, Kaneda is forced to face the reality that he must put a stop to his closest friend, even if that means killing him.

The story was already adapted as a 1988 anime, though that version of the story shaved off a significant amount of the manga's events. It's not hard to understand why — it's a 2,182 page series, after all, making a straight adaptation impossible to fit into a two hour runtime.

The WB has apparently embraced this notion, as the report claims "Akira" will be split into two parts. The first three of six volumes will comprise the first film, due out in theaters next year.

Casting information is currently unavailable, though DiCaprio has said that he won't star in the film. Joseph Gordon-Levitt has been linked to the role of Tetsuo, though his involvement is far from a certainty.

HANAAAAAAAAAAAAADA!!!!!!

First details of Warner Bros ‘Akira’ movie

www.endofshow.com/2011/02/01/first-detai...er-bros-akira-movie/




EXCLUSIVE We have details about Warner Bros. Pictures upcoming Akira motion picture, which we can exclusively report is financed and due to shoot this July in New York. This American project, based on Katsuhiro Otomo’s 1982 manga series, has been in development hell for a long time. After bouncing around multiple directors, a year ago Vulture reported the Hughes brothers — directors of Menace II Society and From Hell were negotiating with the Warner Brothers to helm the project. After that, silence. We can now reveal further details on the project.



The producers

The project is being produced by Appian Way, which is headed by Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Killoran. They also share producer credits, along with Andrew Lazar and directors Albert Hughes and Allen Hughes.

Exec producing the project for Warner Bros is Thomas Tull (Inception, The Dark Knight).


Location

The script moves Akira entirely to New York, with locations including Times Square and Central Park.



The Plot

If you’ve read the original manga comics of Akira, you pretty much know what to expect. There are alterations here — some which we know will cause tension amongst fans of the original movie, for instance — however everything we’ve seen works. Everything has moved to America – however other than that the themes remain global. It’s a thoughtful piece underneath.



Casting



Although various names have been floated on and off in the media over the years, casting of the project continues. Names we’ve heard in the mix for the project include Joss Whedon alumnus Dichen Lachman as the revolution fighter Ky (pictured above – who we believe would be perfect as she possesses the rare ability to switch from kick ass to sweet in the space of a few frames of film).



Stylings

Around a year ago, it was reported the film would be aimed for PG-13, which caused much negativity amongst some sections of the media. Well, relax – the script is full of dark themes and, yes – violence. Put it this way; Akira opens with New York being burnt to the ground. The budget for the feature is expected to on the high end of high — this is a big release for Warner Bros. They create an entirely new future New York. Action set pieces run around once every fifteen minutes. The script deals with serious themes, however characters aren’t devoid of humour (and they like to swear, a lot).


Overall

I’ve been very impressed about everything I’ve seen with the project. The studio and people involved are trying to make a dark, adult movie about how the human condition and power interconnect, and when that’s cool — but mostly when it’s very much not cool. This is a big budget, high concept manga sci-fi genre movie about a corrupt society — count us in as excited.

The project is currently prepping for production over the summer.

holy fuck , looks great , the directors are pretty good and the producers seems to be serius about the project , I dont know you guys but I think all this its going for a good way

MEMO1DOMINION wrote:

Artist:
maciej.cghub.com/
maciejkuciara.com/index.html
www.maciejkuciara.blogspot.com/
tiger1313.deviantart.com/

www.variety.com/article/VR1118032552

Lobizon wrote:

www.variety.com/article/VR1118032552

THIS I WAS LOOKING FORWARD TO SEE WHAT WOULD HAPPEN, ONCE THE HARRY POTTER MOVIES WERE DONE, ON THE STEPS OF ACTORS/PRODUCERS WOULD TAKE AFTER THE SERIES WERE DONE.

PRETTY GOOD CHOICE TO GET THE HARRY POTTER TREATMENT ON AN ANIME HIT.

'Akira' Focuses On Short List Of Actors After Getting Steve Kloves Rewrite

www.deadline.com/2011/03/akira-focuses-o...teve-kloves-rewrite/

Lobizon wrote:

'Akira' Focuses On Short List Of Actors After Getting Steve Kloves Rewrite

www.deadline.com/2011/03/akira-focuses-o...teve-kloves-rewrite/

The intention has been to make 2 films, each covering 3 books in the series.

I NEVER READ THE BOOKS. ANY DIFFERENT FROM THE ANIME MOVIE?

The anime is the cliff notes version of the manga. After his awakening in the Manga, Akira makes many appearances but in the Anime it's like here you see him and then you don't.