Akira Casting – Latest News
February 22nd 2008 04:31
Kaneda and Tetsuo revealed
Original Akira Poster
It is with much reluctance that I even acknowledge that Warner Bros have decided to make a live action version of the cult Anime holy grail Akira. Worshipped by legions of fans all over the world the apocalyptic science fiction head screw is perfection in it’s animated form.
Never ones to shy away from cinematic blasphemy Hollywood has long known of the films massive appeal. In the 1980’s it introduced many westerners to the shell shocked power of Manga moving pictures.
I'm out of here
The plans for a remake were announced a while back and since then little has evolved until now. Yesterday nano-particles of new information finally surfaced care of aintitcool.com.
First came the official announcement that the original graphic novel would be split across two films. Leonardo Di Caprio was confirmed as a producer and now we also have the casting of the two title characters. It seems obvious that Leo would be in front of the camera and the news is he will play the biker gang leader Kaneda.
Dicaprio - A bit of a stretch as Kaneda?
The really exciting news is that Joseph Gordon Levitt will be co starring as Tetsuo.
Taking the tortured youth to new height with his introverted work on Mysterious Skin and Brick, he seems worthy of portraying the tragic youth who succumbs to the doomsday strength of the genetically engineered Akira technology.
Joseph Gordon Levitt with Tetsuo under his skin
Where the original took place in a dystopian Neo-Tokyo of the future, the new version will transfer the story to Manhattan. Scheduled to be Directed by new comer Ruairi Robinson, this big budget adaptation could turn into something special. I’m not convinced yet and it still seems like a dumb idea. However the JGL casting leaves me reserving judgement now until further developments.
What do you think, will this just be another nail in the coffin of Hollywood creativity or could it actually do the original justice? Can they even fit all the juiciness of the 6 graphic novels into only two films?
Here is the opening 10 minutes of the animated Akira film for those who haven't had their lives changed by this Anime classic.
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