http://www.superherohype.com/news/topnews.php?id=6823

I'm really hoping they pull it off. I'm just glad they're planning at least 2 movies.

An Irish director too :)

I'd rather them just leave it alone :(

They...

should...

just...

stop...

I really wish they wouldn't

Ah come on.

I'm actually looking forward to this. At first I reacted with the usual skepticism but I'm intrigued with how they'll go about it. Sure it'll be different in many ways. Because of it's new location I can see almost every name, except for Akira, being changed. But I'm going to really hope for the best as I'd love nothing more than to see a great live action version on the big screen.

I would agree with you that it would be great to see a well made live action version on the big screen. As this will most probably be a big summer release what concerns me is how much they will change to meet the expectations that these type of movies bring. I'm not expecting a slavish retelling of the manga (even thought that may be pretty cool) as even the anime was more like an AKIRA greatest hits and I can probably put up with a happy ending. But what I don't want to see is some annoying child/animal to be saved and certainly no comedy sidekick as then you would have AKIRA in name only which should not be the way a new generation has their first introduction to such a great story; and I know that it might make some of them new fans and want to seek out the original manga and anime I fear that the majority might be turned away which will be a shame. So as I said before I really wish they wouldn't but if wants to spend his money releasing a High-Def re-mastered version of the original with decent promotion then I'll start queuing now.

I'd rather them just leave it alone :(

I would agree with you that it would be great to see a well made live action version on the big screen. As this will most probably be a big summer release what concerns me is how much they will change to meet the expectations that these type of movies bring. I'm not expecting a slavish retelling of the manga (even thought that may be pretty cool) as even the anime was more like an AKIRA greatest hits and I can probably put up with a happy ending. But what I don't want to see is some annoying child/animal to be saved and certainly no comedy sidekick as then you would have AKIRA in name only which should not be the way a new generation has their first introduction to such a great story; and I know that it might make some of them new fans and want to seek out the original manga and anime I fear that the majority might be turned away which will be a shame. So as I said before I really wish they wouldn't but if wants to spend his money releasing a High-Def re-mastered version of the original with decent promotion then I'll start queuing now.

Well, the only thing I fear is that if they radically change the ending. I mean, I don't think a mainstream audience would get the ending at all. Look, ultimately I would have loved to see Guillermo del Toro helming the project but I guess he's off getting ready for The Hobbit. The only thing I'm happy about that it at least has a big named tied to it's production rather than it slipping into the hands of Uwe Boll or someone similar.

I do not disagree with you especially in regards to Uwe Boll! but I really cannot see how they can make this film without radically changing the ending. Ultimately if they make the film I know I will go see it despite my misgivings and just hope it doesn't end with everybody hugging and crying. But I suppose if does well I can always look forward to Kaneda 2: Two armed and dangerous (a joke that was much funnier in my head than it looks here). Del Toro for the Hobbit however, I had not heard this and really cannot wait.

super mario brothers. street fighter. DOA. final fantasy.godzilla. none of these japanese titles came out in its original form, and look how they ended up. hollywood directors always insist on their 'own' vision of a franchise without really having an intimate knowledge of the characters or title they're making. Akira may very well be over their heads-this title's just too big. i can only hope the attitude has changed when it comes to adaptations, but i'm not holding my breath...

There is still hope for others. Right now I don't think Hollywood is taking the genre too seriously which is why DOA, Street Fighter, Super Mario Brothers, Godzilla, Final Fantasy (which I actually enjoyed a lot) etc. didn't turn out like people wanted them too.

There's two big things that need to happen here:

1. Competent director who is interested in the subject matter: don't get some one who knows nothing about the anime/magna to direct a movie about it. It will turn out bad. If the director feels a personal attachment to the project and knows a lot about the media than naturally the movie should turn out much better.

2. Otomo needs to be working closely with the film team: The filmmakers need to understand the the goal and aim of the movie, the characters, the settings, the culture etc. And who better to help them with this than the author of the manga? Akira is a prestigious work whose reputation definitely precedes it so it will take some filmmakers who completely understands the work to create an adaption that will live up to expectations.

"rumored that Leonardo DiCaprio could be playing the lead Kaneda, and Joseph Gordon Levitt could play Tetsuo." - from wikipedia

Actually, I'd rather have DiCaprio play Tetsuo. He's already proven he could play a mentally upset character like William Costigan from the Departed and Howard Hughes (He won a golden globe for his portrayal of Howard Hughes).

I really hope this doesn't happen. Live action films based on anime are always bad.

Oh god another live-action version of an anime. I wonder how disappointing the US live-action DBZ will be :(

it wont be a live action remake
more of a live action re interpretation
kinda like Infernall Affairs and The Departed
and The Departed was a great if not the greatest re interpretation of an Asian movie ever
so dont expect Akira as you know it, i doubt it'l even be called Akira

here's 2 shorts the director made
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MfNyfwwfV4
and
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCP9f0VicBE

i watched both of'm and as a selfproclaimed Akira fanboy, they gave me confidence he will atleast try to live up to the name(as much as he can with the Studio and funds hese been givin)
here's his site http://www.ruairirobinson.com/main.htm



As a side note, umm... it's become increasingly apparent to me that despite the crap I write on this website, which unless you (yeah, you. No not you -- you.) are fucking retarded will realise is mostly a joke, that I'm not actually very good at hyping myself up, and have occasionally lost jobs to people whose work is crap because I haven't promised bullshit I can't deliver. There are people who can walk into a room, and tell clients exactly what they want to hear just to get the job, then deliver mediocre shit. I'm not one of those people. And I can't stand buzzwords.

So this current paragraph is designed to change all that. So brace yourself for the EDGIEST, GRITTIEST most cutting edge film YOU HAVE EVER SEEN, it will blow your mind! It pushes the envelope so hard it will give your boner a boner! It's so gritty and edgy, it actually takes "it" to the next level, even though nobody has ever, ever figured what "it" is before. Well I have! the "IT" we've all been talking about for years is MY FILM! It's so amazing it will refinance your home, enlarge your penis AND save the Whales. It's THAT good.

Now about that commercial. Did I mention I'm available to direct? The set will contain small traces of grit, and there will be visible edges on it. Any scenes shot in an elevator, I will personally take the crew up to the next vertical level and shoot the scene there instead. I will place envelopes on the set so that I can push them around with my bare hands. I'm even willing to cut the edges off those envelopes! Cuz that's just how I roll. Alternately just tell me what you want to hear, and I'll say that instead. Are we in synergy?

sold/out.
i like him

i've never rly been one to dream of a live action movie of Akira, always tought they should do an animated trilogy that should be a frame to frame conversion of the original manga
but with this director and Dicaprio's production house behind it i am pretty positive it'l be something that'l end up worthy of the Akira brandname(even tho it probably wont be called Akira.. i hope)

I wonder how disappointing the US live-action DBZ will be :(

You're insane.

Chow Yun Fat as Master Roshi; every time I think of it, I can't help but laugh. Even if it's a terrible film, it's bound to be entertaining.

I don't know how to feel. I never watched the series, and the movie didn't really do it for me.

You're insane.

Chow Yun Fat as Master Roshi; every time I think of it, I can't help but laugh. Even if it's a terrible film, it's bound to be entertaining.

as long as they remember that dbz was always comedic in nature, they should find it difficult to fuck it up. having unexpected big names playing our beloved characters is the key for the success of that idea. :p

/me still dreams of Antonio Banderas as Jeice, Arnold Schwarzzeneger as Recoome, and Danny Devito as Guldo. in the Ginyu Force :D most hilarious cameos...EVAR!!

also Hugh Jackman (wolvering-xmen) as Vegeta is pure win.



anyway. regarding Akira, looking forward to it. as long as they dont' also rename kaneda John and Tetsuo Billy i'll tolerate the stupid locale name change. -_-

You're insane.

Chow Yun Fat as Master Roshi; every time I think of it, I can't help but laugh. Even if it's a terrible film, it's bound to be entertaining.

i still can't get over the casting of a former real worlder as chichi

Why exactly is a tall Australian man the right choice for Vegeta again? He's a fine actor but if you're basing it on aesthetics I don't really get it.

OH HO HE HAD TEASED UP HAIR IN X-MEN, PERFECT!

Why exactly is a tall Australian man the right choice for Vegeta again? He's a fine actor but if you're basing it on aesthetics I don't really get it.

OH HO HE HAD TEASED UP HAIR IN X-MEN, PERFECT!

Australian men are always the right choice, iykwim.

Why exactly is a tall Australian man the right choice for Vegeta again? He's a fine actor but if you're basing it on aesthetics I don't really get it.

OH HO HE HAD TEASED UP HAIR IN X-MEN, PERFECT!

is vegeta even in the movie?

Piccolo is supposed to be the villain in this iirc, and protrayed by James Marsters of Buffy acclaim.

Why exactly is a tall Australian man the right choice for Vegeta again? He's a fine actor but if you're basing it on aesthetics I don't really get it.

OH HO HE HAD TEASED UP HAIR IN X-MEN, PERFECT!

facial expression when angry. i always imagine him crossing his arms together and just staring someone down from the corner of his eyes. :p

i could be wrong though. maybe he looks too diffrent once you take away his sideburns from xmen. :p

but i didn't know picollo was gonna main main baddy. i wonder who looks like him...

I'd say Piccolo should be that guy who played Xerxes in 300...only painted green and with some antennas slapped on him.

Oh and an Akira live-action movie? With DiCaprio? Don't mind it at all.

tact, the person they cast as picollo is james marsters, aka spike from buffy the vampire slayer

I love Akira. It is one of my favorite animes of all time. But a live action movie............by DiCaprio........I don't know about that. I would fell more comfortable with it if it was being done by Quentin Tarantino or some one like that. I am steel not sure about a live action Akira, I have my douts. Of corse, I will have go see it. It is Akira after all, the anime that got me insterted in anime and the manga is also awesome. I hope thay do a good job with this. KANEDAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Whoa... I had no idea that not only were they gonna make a live action Akira, but a live action DBZ as well? Interesting, and, if left in the right hands, possibly even better than the source material (BLASPHEMY!)... However, I highly doubt they'll be better. Different, yes, maybe even on par with the original animes that inspired them.

That being said... DiCaprio as Kaneda? I'm not so sure I buy that. As Tetsuo, sure. As was said in an earlier post, DiCaprio plays a good mental case. I'm going to reserve judgment until I actually see the film, though. I could be wrong.

tact, the person they cast as picollo is james marsters, aka spike from buffy the vampire slayer

ok...i'm looking at some images of this dude....wtf? >.< all his pics are like happy and trying to be "sexy" or some shit.

this ain't working. where can i see him angry so i can see if he can really pull it off? so far it seems like a horrible match. ah well. movie magic does amazing things and some poeple turn out to be awesome when they get into their role. and since i have no choice in the matter anyway, i can only hope for the best. >.<

wait wait..i found one. ok now i see why.



damn. make him green and he's fucking it! nice. :D

wtf? where'd you get the picture of picollo from? :D

I think it's going to be awsome. A true Akira fan is putting it together, so the things that most of the failures of live action remakes tend to stem from won't likely be present. As for DBZ, Chow Yung Fat as Master Roshi FTW!

SIgh...
I like how people are getting into anime and manga...
But...
I don't know...
I love Akira...
So it might be difficult to please me since i will be holding the film to a very high standard

New Manhatten????
leonardo dicaprio as Tetsuo or whatever, Great another film girls will swoon over

Maybe he should play shinji Ikari in the evangelion live action movie hehe

New Manhatten????
leonardo dicaprio as Tetsuo or whatever, Great another film girls will swoon over

Maybe he should play shinji Ikari in the evangelion live action movie hehe

nah. make him play rei. i wanna see lots of leo clones at once on screen so all girls around the world will faint from having their nana's explode. :D

Di Caprio?!