Deadline has what could be a terrifying exclusive- the script for the Warner Bros./Legendary Pictures live action adaptation of Akira has been sent to a short list of actors. Steel yourselves!
For the role of Tetuso, everyone’s favorite psychic drug addict- Robert Pattinson, Andrew Garfield and James McAvoy.
For Kaneda, Tetsuo’s buddy and the hero of the film- Garrett Hedlund, Michael Fassbender, Chris Pine, Justin Timberlake and Joaquin Phoenix.
It’s fully expected to be one actor from each of those.
What do you think, folks? Potential for greatness or destined for mediocrity? Is there any hope to translate the utterly insane anime to live-action, especially with a likely rating of PC-13? Plus there’s the fact that director Albert Hughes did a decent job with The Book of Eli but has certainly never done something as visually arresting as this film needs to be.
Akira was picked up for seven figures two years ago, with the intention of making two films from the six-book series. It would certainly be great to see a more complete version of the story- the anime is amazing but it’s quite different than the manga. But there’s also word out there that the core story will be changed, as an older script depicted significant changes, like Kaneda and Tetuso as brothers. More as we hear it.
And watch the original if you haven’t, already! It’s one of the few animes that transcends genre, along with Grave of the Fireflies.
10 comments
If Pine or Pattinson end up in this movie, I will be killing myself before the release of this turd.
I don’t really want it to be a train wreck, but the idea of Akira with Robert Pattinson and Joaquin Phoenix as the leads amuses me.
this will suck…horribly
oh and dont worry about the fact that these actors are playing people with japanese names yet look nowhere near japanese, its just a movie
Perhaps they’ll be called Ted and Kenny.
Fassbender & Phoenix are too old for the role, and everyone else is too much of a lightweight. If these are our choices, just don’t make the fucking movie.
Not to mention that both characters are TEENAGERS! Jesus…
What is with all of the Chris Pine backlash these days? When and why did it start? I don’t think he’s one of the best younger actors we have right now, but he’s far from the worst in my eyes.
I like (can live with) the idea of Garfield, MacAvoy, or Timberlake. I don’t mind Pattinson, either, actually, however; I’d prefer to see him in “Water For Elephants” before making a decision.
The suckage levels on this will rival pretty much any black hole you care to mention.
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