By David on February 21, 2008
The highly respected Akira (manga and anime), by Katsuhiro Otomo is getting an official live action film. You may have heard about this already…but have you heard this big rumor?
The Rumors Is…
The latest news I’ve heard is that Leonardo DiCaprio (The Departed, Titanic) could possibly be Kaneda and Joseph Gordon Levitt (Third Rock From the Sun) might be Tetsuo.
Warner Brothers has apparently put this one on the fast track for a 2009 release, so it’s not surprising that the studio is looking at leads already. We’ll see if this turns out to be true or not. Regardless of casting, Warners has announced it’s gonna be two films – and follow the manga volumes 1-3 for the first one, 4-6 for the second.
First-timer Ruairi Robinson will direct both films, which will be written by screenwriter Gary Whitta.
Casting info via a tip from AintItCool.com
Production info via IESB.net
What do you think?
Do either of these actors fit the role? Would you prefer Japanese actors? Should it even be made? Let us know what you think!
Posted in Anime News
I love anime. Specifically, series involving any of the following things: weird fantasy elements, super-powers, robots, aliens, wicked humor, crazy villains, horror, ninjas and samurai. I guess that means I like a lot of anime. I am pretty particular about the quality of animation and voice acting. If the character designs and animation quality aren't of über-quality, I quickly loose interest.The first anime-related series I ever watched was Battle of the Planets - otherwise known as Gatachman. The first true theatrical anime feature film I saw was Akira. My first exposure to manga was later in life when I read Osamu Tezuka's Astro Boy.There are so many incredible elements of Japanese culture. Some of the most exciting to me are the style of design and storytelling. I'm a web designer & illustrator, and I find myself looking to Japanese design for inspiration all the time.Anime blogging has taught me even more about Japanese culture and anime than I ever expected, and I continue to learn more every week. In fact, I'd love to travel to Japan. Rachel and I hope to visit sometime within the next few years.
well…actually…this might be good. Not exactly my first picks, but they’re both good actors.
In my mind, those actors actually fit the roles pretty well. Leonardo, despite having a reputation as a pretty Hollywood boy, is actually a pretty good actor. (Unlike certain other pretty Hollywood boys…) And I can totally see Levitt’s face twisting and writhing in psychopathic agony, somehow.
While it’s obvious the characters’ names will likely be americanized, I do think these are rather good choices for the respective roles. I’m actually more interested in who will be cast for some of the other roles such as the massive Clown gang leader.
No way. They should get Japanese actors…100%.
lalala – It will be interesting to see how the rest of the cast turns out. There hasn’t been much additional information since the announcement.
they better follow the story and not base it or film it anywhere other than the fictional neo tokyo, it would also be best if they let a japanese director like takeshi kitano do it coz they have a different perspective of things and therefore the movie wouldnt be too hollywood
how retarded…are u seriously going to belive that they’ll make an akira movie that isnt animated? if anything they should remake the first one to better fit the manga thats way longer (and better than the movie)…anime is a must…they’ll ruin akira if they put some dorky american actors in a movie that’s made from manga…it’ll turn out looking like a bunch of idiots in a cosplay….
If there was any doubt that originality in Hollywood was extinct, this should put it to rest. No satisfied with mangling the seemingly unmanglible Godzilla, they’re about to desecrate the epitome of anime. Some things are meant to remain precious. Please! Just leave it alone!
wow Akira is freaking cool and with a big name actor they might actually make it really big this is so cool
correction to previous comment i do agree with the leaving it alone idea but hey if they want to do it ill go see oh yeah Whats wrong with American actors