MTV managed to catch up with actor Joseph Gordon Levitt, who’s rumored to play the role of Tetsuo.
When asked about the rumor, Levitt responded, “That just goes to show what you can believe about what people write about movies. I love the movie ‘Akira.’ I still have yet to read the manga, but that’s really just a rumor. They don’t have a script or anything.”
El Mayimbe wrote:El Mayimbe here...
According to the trades, Warner Bros. will turn anime artist Katsuhiro Otomo's six-volume graphic novel "Akira" into two live-action feature films, the first of which is being fast tracked for release in summer 2009. 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.
Dr. Strangefist is a huge fan of the 1988 anime and recently took a look at the script by Gary Whitta. He chimes in with his thoughts below
Casey Seijas wrote:“We’re waiting for the final draft of the script [for 'Akira'],” DiCaprio told MTV. “I’m a big fan of Japanese anime — that and another project called ‘Ninja Scroll’ we’re trying to get developed and made into a movie, and I know there a lot of loyal fans out there of the project and die-hard fans, so we’re going to try to do the best job we possibly can and we’re not going to make the movie until the script is in the right shape.”
However, for those of you out there hoping to see DiCaprio on Kaneda’s souped up motorcycle in “Akira” or munching on rice balls a la Jubei Kibagami in “Ninja Scroll,” don’t hold your breath. When asked about what his role will be in these properties, DiCaprio made it clear that he’d be producing, and as for as any interest in acting: “No, not really,” he responded.
so sorry wrote:Summer of 2009???
Bull.Shit.
papalazeru wrote:Can they trounce the memory of my beloved film Akira, after I'm dead?
So somewhere around 2100?
max314 wrote:papalazeru wrote:Can they trounce the memory of my beloved film Akira, after I'm dead?
So somewhere around 2100?
You'll be dead by 9pm? Can I have your shoes?
TheButcher wrote:From /film: WB’s Live-Action Akira Remake Is Dead?
TheButcher wrote:Joseph Gordon Levitt Denies ‘Akira’ Involvement…For NowCasey Seijas wrote:MTV managed to catch up with actor Joseph Gordon Levitt, who’s rumored to play the role of Tetsuo.
When asked about the rumor, Levitt responded, “That just goes to show what you can believe about what people write about movies. I love the movie ‘Akira.’ I still have yet to read the manga, but that’s really just a rumor. They don’t have a script or anything.”
Silas Lesnick wrote:Though recent rumors have sounded the death-knell for Warner Bros’ live-action adaptation of Katsuhiro Otomo’s seminal manga, “Akira,” Joseph Gordon-Levitt isn’t ready to say die.
“You never know,” said the “500 Days of Summer” star with a coy smile when asked if the project was truly dead. Though not quite a confirmation of anything, it’s a far-cry from his comments last year which didn’t acknowledge any connection to the project whatsoever.
“We are working on the script,” Lazar says about AKIRA. “It is a real priority project for Warner Bros. and so [the writers] are working on a draft.”
Fievel wrote:Hughes Brothers in Talks to Direct Akira
I've only seen From Hell as far as their work goes. So all I'll offer is a shrug of the shoulders and hope for the best...?
Rick Marshall wrote:"After our first movie, we were getting offered everything, but we're not capable of delivering a corporate project like that," agreed Albert. "It's not in our blood."
King Psyz wrote:I do hope they make the whole magna though, and not just a remake of the original film.
Akira is still moving forward. They just hired a new writer and they’re conceptualizing right now. He also says WB management loves the property and the studio is very enthusiastic about the project. Confirms the first movie would be volumes 1-3 and a second movie would be 4-6
Pre-Astronauts talk – Says it’s now called One Finger Salute. Calls it The Right Stuff before The Right Stuff. Says it’s about a group of Air Force scientists and pilots that believe man can go to space and survive. Also says they did a table read last year with Tom Cruise, Ryan Reynolds, Bradley Cooper, and Elizabeth Banks! Peter Segal is scheduled to direct. He’s not sure if they can get all those cast members.
TheButcher wrote:From AICN:
Talk that Zac Efron is in Talks for a Role in the "Akira" Adaptation
Slash film Rumor: Zac Efron in Albert Hughes’ ‘Akira’?
The main thing to take away from all of these casting rumours, right now, is a sense that the film is being driven ahead. It looks very much like, after several years worth of false starts, there is really about to be a live-action adaptation of Otomo’s Akira.
Or something a bit like it that at least shares its name.
Jonathan Landreth wrote:Three Hollywood producers who've made hit films derived from Japanese content shared a roadmap to crossover success in the lucrative U.S. entertainment market at the American Film Market on Wednesday.
Swell Dude, producer of the smash hit Transformers films, Roy Lee, whose Vertigo Entertainment produced the horror remakes The Ring and The Grudge, and Jason Hoffs of Viz Prods., a unit of Japanese animation publisher Viz Media, laid out insights into discovering how Japanese content can serve as inspiration.
Introduced by Tokuyuki Sudo, the executive vp of the Japan External Trade Organization, and grilled by Joyce Jun, an L.A. attorney who brokers deals between Hollywood and Japan, the three panelists spoke about new Japanese creations including those from sources other than movies, television and anime -- such as toys, games and the serial comics known as manga.
"Because of a manga's weekly installments and their episodic form, there's usually a powerful bond between the readers and the characters," a recipe for possible success, Hoffs said.
Murphy, who reminisced fondly about growing up on Long Island in the 1970s watching the Japanese cartoons Speed Racer and Gigantor on television, agreed that big in Japan could translate into big in America. "It was weird stuff, but so cool," he said.
Murphy cautioned, however, that longevity and character and story development are more important than merchandising. After all, he said, there were 100 hours of Transformers TV programming before U.S. toymaker Hasbro bought the rights to make the Japanese robot-car characters into toys.
"If it's just a movie based on a toy, you could end up with something like the Stretch Armstrong movie," said Murphy, referring to a forthcoming film that's drawn some skeptical attention as it's based on another Hasbro toy from the 1970s that had no TV series behind it.
Once you've found the right story, deals with Japanese license holders can take some time, said Lee, who has a first-look deal with Warner Bros. "The biggest Hollywood studio complaint is that these things can take one to two years and have to go through multiple committees in Japan," before they get licensed, he said.
Part of the reason for the sluggish pace, Hoffs said, is the Japanese understanding of chain of title, or ownership of a given property, especially since many Japanese contracts have complex financing structures.
"It's important to understand how the other side sees things." Hoffs said. "Often most rights land with the manga creator. The devil's in the details and it's important to find out what's most important to the content owner – loyalty to the original, or money."
Lee, who also produced the Antarctic sled dog adventure Eight Below for Walt Disney, said "the good news is that some contracts for films that have been successful are now serving as templates, cutting time to licensing and production to about six months."
Speed is key with the U.S. studios looking at remakes, Lee said, noting that the high turnover in Hollywood's executive ranks means that once a Japanese title is licensed the exec who green lit it might already have left.
Also slowing things down is the cultural and linguistic divide between America and Japan, Murphy said, noting that after months of trying to get the rights to Japanese video game Otome for Guillermo Del Toro to direct, he finally gave up. "Yes means no and no means no and sometimes maybe means no, too. It's very polite but sometimes you just need an answer. Make sure the content holder actually wants to sell."
Having somebody like discussion moderator Jun, a Japanese-speaking attorney at Katten Muchin Rosenman, on your side can help, Murphy said: "Unless you're going to learn their language -- and you can't expect them to learn yours -- then an intermediary is key."
For her part, Jun said that Japanese companies were lucky to have three such Hollywood producers looking to buy their content. "The interesting marriage of reserved Japanese creators and aggressive table-banging U.S. producers can be quite productive," she said. "Those are the producers who are going to get your films made."
Spandau Belly wrote:
I dunno, maybe Hughes has something different in mind for this character and hopefully that script review is of a different draft. There are things you could do to taylor the role to Freeman's strengths, but making it a more physical role is definately not one of them.
Spandau Belly wrote:One thing I liked in the anime was the characters strapping physique was a good juxtaposition to his lack power. Watching a big strapping guy with an army behind him get pushed around by little weak old politicians and little kids seemed like part of the film's theme of deceptive strength and where true power lies etc.
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