AKIRA: Neo-Manhattan

[Al Shut]

I for one can't help but hope the best.


Neo Manhattan is about to E.X.P.L.O.D.E.

[Fawst]

You know which character casting has me the most worried? The SCORE. Who the fuck is gonna even ATTEMPT to replicate/build upon/enhance what the GeinÅ

[King Psyz]

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.

Graphic novel was first adapted for the bigscreen in 1988 as a popular animated film which Otomo directed. Studio has closed a seven-figure rights acquisition deal with manga publisher Kodansha and has set Ruairi Robinson to direct a script by Gary Whitta ("Book of Eli"). Andrew Lazar's Mad Chance will produce with Appian Way's Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Davisson.

OK, while I'm disapointed in a lot of things I'm hearing having Otomo as exec producer makes me feel a lot better. It's his baby, I know he won't ruin it. He already acknowledges faults with the Anime, so he's a perfectionist.

[Fawst]

Otomo will exec produce the films.

<Start Final Fantasy IV Fanfair Music>
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Confidence +20!
Relevance +50!
Anticipation +100!
Got Item: Shield of the Creator!
Got Item: Protection of the Gods!
Got Item: Amulet of Suckage Warding!
<End Final Fantasy IV Fanfair Music>

[Chairman Kaga]

is this like -18 to knee jerk reaction then.

[Fawst]

Well, I'm glad he's involved, no doubt.

[Al Shut]

I always thought Akira could play in any metropol if translated well but now a new thought has struck my mind. The absence of federal government in New York. Does that mean no coup?

[Fawst]

Hostile takeover of a financial megacorp. Easiest way around that little wrinkle.

[AtomicHyperbole]

Otomo may produce the movie, but it aint gonna feature the beautiful animation of the original... I hope it introduces more people to it rather than puts people off.

[unikrunk]

Okay, so they are going for a City of God type deal...that is good.

But the whole deal with City of God is that is was cast with real kids from the slums of Rio. Not Leo DiCaprio

They would best suited leaving the thing in Neo-Tokyo, and casting local bike punks in the roles, IMO.

[King Psyz]

I just had a flash of horror... jesus what if they make them all skate punks in washington square or some shit...

Oh hell...



Leo, please don't fuck this up.

[Fawst]

Sooo... a little Prayer of the Rollerboys meets Japanese philosophical science fiction? Please, God. No.

[SilentBobX]

This is NOT NOT NOT a good idea.

Sorry, but I am in the pessimist column on this. I'm sure Leo is a fine actor and he did good on that 'giant boat sinks after seeing Kate Winslet's boobs' movie, but ripping from anime now just reeks of absolute desperation on Hollywood's part.

Yeah, yeah, I know. It's a new century, and if you want originality you have to go to some big city like NY or LA to see something original by a fledging group of indie filmmakers, but this is just wrong. I'm not going to go and scream heresey or blasphemy etc but I love Akira. It was the first anime I'd ever seen and to this day it hasn't lost a micron of its punch or impact and I'll take a 2,664th viewing of it over just about any live action Hollywood CG action film today.

Mahalo

[Fawst]

Whew, went for the triple-negative on that one, eh?

Well, that's the beauty of this... you can watch the original on opening night and ignore the live action version

[SilentBobX]

Whew, went for the triple-negative on that one, eh?

Well, that's the beauty of this... you can watch the original on opening night and ignore the live action version

Yeah, I've not attempted a triple negative since the Winter X-games. Threw my back out, hurt all those kids.....wait, mum's the word, pending lawsuits and all that......

But you're right. I've found that ignoring things like this do help me as it did after I foolishly watched the live TF movie. It helps my blood pressure and overall health not to get too worked up about things out of my control. Like films and the weather and .........well things I want to change

Mahalo

[Fawst]

I have to say, one of the only times I didn't go out and actually watch a movie based on something I really enjoyed was... Mario Bros. I mean, that was a cash-in on an EPIC scale, and I even knew it as a kid. My favorite story of working on a movie comes from John Leguizamo, who said that he and Hoskins used to sit in a trailer between takes just downing a bottle of Jack, saying over and over again "What are we doing here? What are we doing here?"

EDIT: Here's another gem that I somehow missed...

Bob Hoskins: "The worst thing I ever did? Super Mario Bros. It was a nightmare. The whole experience was a nightmare. It had a husband-and-wife team directing, whose arrogance had been mistaken for talent. After so many weeks their own agent told them to get off the set! Fuckin' nightmare. Fuckin' idiots."

[SilentBobX]

That's a funny story, Fawst. You should try the Nostalgia Critic's take on Super Mario Bros. Just type his name in youtube and you'll find his video on it. Hilarious stuff. He'd probably be happy here. His movie reviews absolutely kill me.

Mahalo

[Lady Sheridan]

Wow. I posted the two Akira stories last night, and this morning I had 45 e-mails bitching about it. People are screaming racism like you wouldn't believe.

Last time I post something about anime, that's for sure.

[Lord Voldemoo]

Wow. I posted the two Akira stories last night, and this morning I had 45 e-mails bitching about it. People are screaming racism like you wouldn't believe.

Last time I post something about anime, that's for sure.

hahaha, just to be clear, they were bitching about the casting. They weren't accusing you of somehow being racist, right?? I haven't read your Akira stories yet...

[Lady Sheridan]

Wow. I posted the two Akira stories last night, and this morning I had 45 e-mails bitching about it. People are screaming racism like you wouldn't believe.

Last time I post something about anime, that's for sure.

hahaha, just to be clear, they were bitching about the casting. They weren't accusing you of somehow being racist, right?? I haven't read your Akira stories yet...

Yeah, it was just the casting. Luckily I don't seem to have taken the blame for that, though a few seemed horrified I was so blase about the location change.

The continuing refrain has been "You might as well have them wear blackface."

[Chairman Kaga]

The continuing refrain has been "You might as well have them wear blackface."

Any of them ZZS?

[Lord Voldemoo]

The continuing refrain has been "You might as well have them wear blackface."

Any of them ZZS?

HAHAHAHA

[Fievel]

From The Main Site:

The film takes place in Neo Manhattan after World War III, unlike the anime/manga's Neo Tokyo, but city will have been rebuilt with Japanese money and consequently feature a Japanese aesthetic.

That bit intrigues me... alot.
Hopefully it can look more like the original did... even though it's in America.

Tetsuo will likely become "Tim" or "Ted".

Kaneda will be come "Canada" - a nickname because that's where he was born before his family moved to New York.... hence his "issues".

[papalazeru]

How it going to sound when it comes to videos like
this

Scott! Tim! Scott! Tim!

Something equally silly

[Chairman Kaga]

Why would they change the names?

[papalazeru]

Because it's Hollywood and market research might suggest that Kaneda and Testuo might not be 'palettable' to a Western Audience.

[Al Shut]

Wow. I posted the two Akira stories last night, and this morning I had 45 e-mails bitching about it. People are screaming racism like you wouldn't believe.

Last time I post something about anime, that's for sure.

hahaha, just to be clear, they were bitching about the casting. They weren't accusing you of somehow being racist, right?? I haven't read your Akira stories yet...

Yeah, it was just the casting. Luckily I don't seem to have taken the blame for that, though a few seemed horrified I was so blase about the location change.

The continuing refrain has been "You might as well have them wear blackface."

Were'they talking about setting it in America or are they one of the people who haven't/aren't able to read the first post?

[Fawst]

Damn, LS, where did you post this stuff that there was such blatant douchebaggery going on? That's ridiculous. Just because the fucking emo purists (who probably weren't even BORN yet when this was released) won't get their precious Neo-Tokyo and it's being done with American leads, wah wah wah wah wahhhhhhhhhhhhh... Blech. Anyways.

This isn't very difficult to get right. And getting it right does NOT mean that it has to be in Japan, with Japanese actors, in Japanese. In fact, I'll go so far as to say I think that if it was done that way, it wouldn't be as good as I think this could turn out. Something in the back of my mind makes me think it'd get the same treatment as something like... I dunno, pick a generic Japanese scifi live action story?

I'm blathering, don't want to be at work, wishing the snow outside would pick up so we can leave early!

[papalazeru]

This isn't very difficult to get right. And getting it right does NOT mean that it has to be in Japan, with Japanese actors, in Japanese. In fact, I'll go so far as to say I think that if it was done that way, it wouldn't be as good as I think this could turn out. Something in the back of my mind makes me think it'd get the same treatment as something like... I dunno, pick a generic Japanese scifi live action story?

Yes and those Generic live action movies were good were they?

Take for example, Cashern.

Blergh!

The Japanese market doesn't pour the same money, generally, into films. Hey do into Animation but not film.

Now if you're going to do it....

ARISE MAZINGER Z!

[Spifftacular SquirrelGirl]

From The Main Site:

The film takes place in Neo Manhattan after World War III, unlike the anime/manga's Neo Tokyo, but city will have been rebuilt with Japanese money and consequently feature a Japanese aesthetic.

That bit intrigues me... alot.
Hopefully it can look more like the original did... even though it's in America.

Tetsuo will likely become "Tim" or "Ted".

Kaneda will be come "Canada" - a nickname because that's where he was born before his family moved to New York.... hence his "issues".

CAN-A-DAAAAA! Hrm... not sure if it works so well to scream that at the top of my lungs all the time. People might think I'm weird.

I have high hopes for this movie with DiCaprio being on board and the fact that they're giving it enough story to break it up into two movies. Because let's face it, with Speed Racer and Dragonball not looking like they're going to be very good it'd be nice for there to be a live action anime/manga adaption that was pretty good.

[papalazeru]

From The Main Site:

The film takes place in Neo Manhattan after World War III, unlike the anime/manga's Neo Tokyo, but city will have been rebuilt with Japanese money and consequently feature a Japanese aesthetic.

That bit intrigues me... alot.
Hopefully it can look more like the original did... even though it's in America.

Tetsuo will likely become "Tim" or "Ted".

Kaneda will be come "Canada" - a nickname because that's where he was born before his family moved to New York.... hence his "issues".

CAN-A-DAAAAA! Hrm... not sure if it works so well to scream that at the top of my lungs all the time. People might think I'm weird.

I have high hopes for this movie with DiCaprio being on board and the fact that they're giving it enough story to break it up into two movies. Because let's face it, with Speed Racer and Dragonball not looking like they're going to be very good it'd be nice for there to be a live action anime/manga adaption that was pretty good.

I wouldnt' have minded if they picked up weaker franchises to pick on first - to test the water.

Oh yes..they did. Guyver.

Bleugh!

And there was that kids version of it too which was double blurgh!

I would prefer to see a movie of Battle Angel Alita, personally. I think that one lends itself more to film and it would be wonderful to watch with a no name cast ('cept the Doc)

[Spifftacular SquirrelGirl]

From The Main Site:

The film takes place in Neo Manhattan after World War III, unlike the anime/manga's Neo Tokyo, but city will have been rebuilt with Japanese money and consequently feature a Japanese aesthetic.

That bit intrigues me... alot.
Hopefully it can look more like the original did... even though it's in America.

Tetsuo will likely become "Tim" or "Ted".

Kaneda will be come "Canada" - a nickname because that's where he was born before his family moved to New York.... hence his "issues".

CAN-A-DAAAAA! Hrm... not sure if it works so well to scream that at the top of my lungs all the time. People might think I'm weird.

I have high hopes for this movie with DiCaprio being on board and the fact that they're giving it enough story to break it up into two movies. Because let's face it, with Speed Racer and Dragonball not looking like they're going to be very good it'd be nice for there to be a live action anime/manga adaption that was pretty good.

I wouldnt' have minded if they picked up weaker franchises to pick on first - to test the water.

Oh yes..they did. Guyver.

Bleugh!

And there was that kids version of it too which was double blurgh!

LOL

I remember that... it was kind of Power Rangers-like only with arm blades.

There was also that really bad "Fist of the Northstar" movie too... I only caught the second half of it but... just wow was it bad.

[papalazeru]

So...I can see where we're going here.

I would like to know many concessions Omoto will give?

Look what happened to Woo (god rest his Action Movie soul)

[havocSchultz]

I would prefer to see a movie of Battle Angel Alita, personally. I think that one lends itself more to film and it would be wonderful to watch with a no name cast ('cept the Doc)

I believe that's Cameron's follow-up to Avatar...

Unless something has changed recently...

[Chairman Kaga]

Because it's Hollywood and market research might suggest that Kaneda and Testuo might not be 'palettable' to a Western Audience.

Not to be a jerk but you are just pulling this out of thin air. This project hasn't even progressed anywhere near this point yet.

[Fawst]

This isn't very difficult to get right. And getting it right does NOT mean that it has to be in Japan, with Japanese actors, in Japanese. In fact, I'll go so far as to say I think that if it was done that way, it wouldn't be as good as I think this could turn out. Something in the back of my mind makes me think it'd get the same treatment as something like... I dunno, pick a generic Japanese scifi live action story?

Yes and those Generic live action movies were good were they?

Take for example, Cashern.

Blergh!

The Japanese market doesn't pour the same money, generally, into films. Hey do into Animation but not film.

Now if you're going to do it....

ARISE MAZINGER Z!

What are you, my echo? You just proved my point. People are bitching that this is an American version of Akira, whereas if it had been made in Japan by a Japanese studio, it wouldn't have the level of detail and access to copious amounts of funding that an American production will have. Hence, if it were made in Japan it would be about as good as those crappy live-action movies are.

[CeeBeeUK]

Because it's Hollywood and market research might suggest that Kaneda and Testuo might not be 'palettable' to a Western Audience.

Not to be a jerk but you are just pulling this out of thin air. This project hasn't even progressed anywhere near this point yet.

If they are going to change the location from Tokyo to New York, it's not a massive leap to assume that, as they are using Americans to play the roles, they will change the characters names to English too.

I vote for Bill and Ted

[Fawst]

It's going to rip off the visual aesthetic of Bladerunner I'm sure. If this is New York rebuilt by Japanese money, it's going to look like the NY version of Bladerunner. I'm OK with that.

[Fievel]

It's going to rip off the visual aesthetic of Bladerunner I'm sure. If this is New York rebuilt by Japanese money, it's going to look like the NY version of Bladerunner. I'm OK with that.

Bladerunner.... but sunny.

[Fawst]

Actually, yes, that's what I was thinking. The whole story doesn't take place at night. What I can't wait for is to see if they keep the scene with Tetsuo picking up his guts off the ground when he starts tripping out after the attack by the clowns (when he steals Kaneda's bike). Those major "HOLY SHIT!" moments need to be in there, like when Tetsuo smooshes the guards with that sphere of force in the hospital? Ooooh, I wanna see that!

[TheButcher]

Because it's Hollywood and market research might suggest that Kaneda and Testuo might not be 'palettable' to a Western Audience.

Not to be a jerk but you are just pulling this out of thin air. This project hasn't even progressed anywhere near this point yet.

If they are going to change the location from Tokyo to New York, it's not a massive leap to assume that, as they are using Americans to play the roles, they will change the characters names to English too.

I vote for Bill and Ted

Bill and Ted gets my vote too.

[papalazeru]

Because it's Hollywood and market research might suggest that Kaneda and Testuo might not be 'palettable' to a Western Audience.

Not to be a jerk but you are just pulling this out of thin air. This project hasn't even progressed anywhere near this point yet.

If they are going to change the location from Tokyo to New York, it's not a massive leap to assume that, as they are using Americans to play the roles, they will change the characters names to English too.

I vote for Bill and Ted

Bill and Ted gets my vote too.

What's wrong with Jay and Silent Bob.

Too soon?

Now I'd pay to see Jay and Silent Bob to that whole 'KANEDAAAA, TETSUUUUOOOOO!' scene together.

[papalazeru]

What are you, my echo? You just proved my point. People are bitching that this is an American version of Akira, whereas if it had been made in Japan by a Japanese studio, it wouldn't have the level of detail and access to copious amounts of funding that an American production will have. Hence, if it were made in Japan it would be about as good as those crappy live-action movies are.

I am agreeing with you but as we've seen the across the water, that's not been a great success either.

[Chairman Kaga]

Actually, yes, that's what I was thinking. The whole story doesn't take place at night. What I can't wait for is to see if they keep the scene with Tetsuo picking up his guts off the ground when he starts tripping out after the attack by the clowns (when he steals Kaneda's bike). Those major "HOLY SHIT!" moments need to be in there, like when Tetsuo smooshes the guards with that sphere of force in the hospital? Ooooh, I wanna see that!

I hope Akira appears the way he was in the comics and not the movie.

[Fried Gold]

Actually, yes, that's what I was thinking. The whole story doesn't take place at night. What I can't wait for is to see if they keep the scene with Tetsuo picking up his guts off the ground when he starts tripping out after the attack by the clowns (when he steals Kaneda's bike). Those major "HOLY SHIT!" moments need to be in there, like when Tetsuo smooshes the guards with that sphere of force in the hospital? Ooooh, I wanna see that!

I hope Akira appears the way he was in the comics and not the movie.

Well the two films are being based on the comics, so it may likely be the case.

[papalazeru]

Actually, yes, that's what I was thinking. The whole story doesn't take place at night. What I can't wait for is to see if they keep the scene with Tetsuo picking up his guts off the ground when he starts tripping out after the attack by the clowns (when he steals Kaneda's bike). Those major "HOLY SHIT!" moments need to be in there, like when Tetsuo smooshes the guards with that sphere of force in the hospital? Ooooh, I wanna see that!

I hope Akira appears the way he was in the comics and not the movie.

As do I but it would take a heck of a long delivery to approach Akira himself. The comic was such a journey, and it still is now.

I'm so Cynical that they will do it right.

It would be nice and I would like to see it done well but CK, do you honestly believe that 2 films is going to do it justice?

Or do you think it'll be anything near the Anime or near the Manga?

Even though the Anime was a cut down version, it at least had the philosophy.

The thing that bugs me is that the whole Neo-Tokyo is an allegory for post Holocaust Japan, to a degree. I'm wondering whether it'll be given the Godzilla/Cloverfield treatment and whether thats the reason it's born.

Exec: 'Now we need more allegorical stories. Cloverfield was a big success and we can see from the Market Dollar that people are feeling the "trapped" Allegorical dollar'.

A la Deus ex vivendum (scuse my Latin) Bill Hick.

[Chairman Kaga]

As a fan of the Manga I was never satisfied with the Anime. It's visually stunning but the story is so truncated it becomes only barely coherent. I don't see how twice (maybe almost 3 times depending on the length of each film) the amount of screen time could possibly be bad a thing.

[papalazeru]

As a fan of the Manga I was never satisfied with the Anime. It's visually stunning but the story is so truncated it becomes only barely coherent. I don't so how twice (maybe almost 3 times depending on the length of each film) the amount of screen time could possibly be bad a thing.

It'll never reach 3 times. The Anime was 2 hours long, quite an innovation back then for a sole film.


I totally agree with you but the film coined it's own philosophy loosely based up the the manga....and it wa really cool.

It would be impossilbe to convey the Manga in film form, especially with Tetsuo with the Clown gang.

I have a feeling that they will stick to the 'cartoon' (I mean that offensively) because people know that more. It'll be a let down...as much as I understand what I think CK wants it to be.

[papalazeru]

I can't pass my bile and garbage if this passes of the index.

It's going to be terrible and I have yet to be convinced.

Mega BUMP!

[King Psyz]

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