ROTTEN TOMATOES: Warners Doubles Up On Live-Action Akira

Warners Doubles Up On Live-Action Akira

Franchise reaching screens in summer 2009.

by Jeff Giles | February 22, 2008

Back in October, we discussed reports that Warners had signed Ruairi Robinson to direct a live-action Akira adaptation. As it turns out, the rumor was half right. Or doubly right, depending on how you look at it.

Variety reports that Robinson is indeed on board to bring a flesh-and-blood Akira to the big screen -- but he'll be turning Katsuhiro Otomo's six-volume graphic novel into two movies instead of one. From the article:

Each feature will be based on three of the books in Otomo's series. The story takes place in New Manhattan, a metropolis that was rebuilt after being destroyed 31 years earlier. Otomo will exec produce the films.

The films, which are being co-produced by Leonardo DiCaprio, are scheduled to start arriving in theaters during the summer of '09. Robinson will be directing from a script by Gary Whitta.

Source: Variety

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(1-20 of 24 posts) | Reply

krawchi writes:
on Feb 22 2008 05:38 AM

The fact that they seem to be going off the books encourages me.

(Reply to this)

rustdog writes:
on Feb 22 2008 05:38 AM

Ruairi Robinson has made short films. This seems like a mighty big project for such a novice. Also with the rumored cast of Gordon Levitt and Di Caprio will they change the setting to Neo New York? I hope not. Maybe, with 2 movies they won't have to condense as much as the anime and it will make more sense.

(Reply to this)

John Z. Delorean writes:
on Feb 22 2008 05:45 AM

I haven't had a real problem with people remaking stuff except that it almost always sucks. I guess Dicaprio saw what he did in the Departed which to me was better than the source material, just keep it as faithful as you can and do it.

(Reply to this)

fatmc writes:
on Feb 22 2008 06:44 AM

is Dicaprio playing the main character?

(Reply to this)

rustdog writes:
on Feb 22 2008 07:17 AM

Di Caprio as Kaneda, Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Tetsuo. Set in Neo Manhattan.

(Reply to this)

Oh Dae Su writes:
on Feb 22 2008 07:23 AM

In reply to this comment (#1592913)
"Ruairi Robinson has made short films. This seems like a mighty big project for such a novice. Also with the rumored cast of Gordon Levitt and Di Caprio will they change the setting to Neo New York? I hope not. Maybe, with 2 movies they won't have to condense as much as the anime and it will make more sense."

Did you even read this damn report? they said it is set in New Manhattan

(Reply to this)

tomwaitsjr writes:
on Feb 22 2008 07:55 AM

Sounds awesome. Armageddon fun town time!

(Reply to this)

apostate writes:
on Feb 22 2008 08:00 AM

Isn't DiCaprio a little old for Kaneda?

(Reply to this)

fullmetalnek writes:
on Feb 22 2008 08:25 AM

It only says DiCaprio is co-producing the films. Man, I cant wait to see Kaneda's Bike in live action! Well, since this is re-set in New Manhattan I guess it wont be Kanedas's anymore but Kevin's or something.

(Reply to this)

FireflyFan4evr writes:
on Feb 22 2008 08:59 AM

Boooo! The reason that Akira was able to do all the things it was able to do was because it was animated. Certain things in it will be pretty damn hard to pull off with CGI, and will no doubt be very difficult to make look real. Besides the revolutionary animation that it had, it was over long, bloated and fairly boring / passable in terms of story.

(Reply to this)

Dinobot77 writes:
on Feb 22 2008 09:15 AM

This has potential but I will reserve judgement until I see a real synopsis. Anytime a series is condensed, there is trouble. The screenwriter better know what he or she is doing or this will undoubtedly suck balls. Akira deserves justice.

(Reply to this)

MarkusCominToGETCHA writes:
on Feb 22 2008 09:16 AM

If this involves DiCaprio and Gordon-Levitt then we all know there is no way it will suck. After weeks and weeks of G.I. Joe and Terminator Salvation casting rumors and gossip, this is exactly what we need. Definitely looking forward to this more than anything right now.

(Reply to this)

dahluzz writes:
on Feb 22 2008 09:22 AM

In reply to this comment (#1593317)
yeah the second half of the film is loaded with a bunch of melodrmama, tenticles and the repeated shouting of the name "TET-SU-OOOOO!" it gets kind of lame after a while.

i'm just glad the wachowski brothers didn't get their mits on this property.

dicaprio has been on the top of his game for a while now (his performance in 'the departed,' while ignored in favor of his role in 'blood diamond,' remains one of the best in recent memory) so i doubt he'd attatch himself to a project that didn't look really promising from a pre-production standpoint.

(Reply to this)

nogard46 writes:
on Feb 22 2008 09:58 AM

HIS BIKE HIS BIKE!!!!

"Twin ceramic rotor drives on each wheel! And these look like computer controlled anti-lock brakes! Wow, 200 horses at 12,000 rpm!"

(Reply to this)

apostate writes:
on Feb 22 2008 10:06 AM

Well if this is based on the actual manga then this might be quite a bit better, storywise, than the movie. It was basically about a 1/4 of what actually went on in the comics. I remember looking at my watch towards the end of the movie wondering how they were going to shove the rest of the story in it. The answer: they didn't.

So if they are actually sticking to the manga then count me interested.

(Reply to this)

agniyo writes:
on Feb 22 2008 10:16 AM

"Tetsuoooooo!"

"Kaneeeeedaa!"

(Reply to this)

Oblivioncry writes:
on Feb 22 2008 10:23 AM

OMG THE BIKE !!!

and new manhatten...awe come on...

well as long as they dont just use 1/4th of the comics it will be allright i guess. and two movies is a good idea.

well it was bound to happen. but i dont think they will ever surpass the anime which still has the best animation.

(Reply to this)

bamb0o-stick writes:
on Feb 22 2008 10:31 AM

Wow... the only thing that is more surprising about this article is that my head hasn't exploded yet from the geek-gasm I just had.

I still think the AKIRA novels were far more superior than the animated movie from K. Otomo. The anime movie just didn't do the books justice. AKIRA is still the best manga and work of Sci-fi fiction I have ever read, bar none. There's enough content in the six books to make a trilogy in my opinion. I am just so glad they decided to make another movie more true to the novels. The fact that they didn't compress it into one 3-hour movie thrills me. I've also been a fan of Joseph Gordon Levitt for some time now since Brick, and the thought of him playing Tetsuo sounds absolutely perfect. I am going to follow this as religiously as I can.

(Reply to this)

nblarson writes:
on Feb 22 2008 12:30 PM

Right now I'll say I'm curious...not sure how I feel about this "reboot" of sorts (man I'm really starting to hate that buzz-word), but it should be interesting to see how much the anime film influences this live-action adaptation. There are some elements that I'd really like to see retained, particularly the music, which was fantastic.

And maybe that scene in the hospital where Tetsuo telekinetically smashes all the soldiers against the walls and ceiling...

(Reply to this)

Oblivioncry writes:
on Feb 22 2008 01:46 PM

oh yeah, pls keep the music, it was like the 2nd best thing about the film (the first being the animation)

and i guess it will kinda look like the stronger video by kanye west, which was totally inspired to the point of rip-off of akira

(Reply to this)

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