Live action Akira movie coming, DiCaprio and Otomo signed on to produce
Amidst all the great animes we've been exposed to, Akira stands out. Set in post-apocalyptic Tokyo, the neo-classic featured everything we've come to expect from Japan's animation wizards: stunning artwork, imaginative plot lines and absolutely killer conveyances – particularly the bikes which easily put Tron to shame.
Word is that Warner Bros. has signed a deal to create two live-action movies based on the six-volume graphic novel, with Leonardo DiCaprio helping to produce the films and Akira's creator, Katsuhior Otomo, being on hand as the executive producer. The first of the two films is expected to come to the big screen in the summer of 2009 and we have little doubt that it has the potential of blowing Speed Racer out of the water.
[Source: Variety via Winding Road]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
matt 5:29PM (2/21/2008)
LOL
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why not the LS2/LS7? 5:29PM (2/21/2008)
KANEDA!!!!
TETSUO!!!!
I don't get the mystique.
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Ohso Clutch 5:44PM (2/21/2008)
Everybody has their own thing.... If anything, It'll be interesting to see how it translates to live action.
focus407svt 4:56PM (4/16/2008)
you dont get it?!? a child learns the power to create a new universe, and you don't understand the mystique?!? he performs this feat not once but twice, and the second time to counter that of tetsuo's, who also learns the secret and has the power?!? man, you need to get out...
Rick 7:25PM (2/21/2008)
Whooohoooo!!
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speedball3 5:43PM (2/21/2008)
After the first 1/2 hour or so, the movie sucks. Gone are all the cool bikes and stuff, and enter in freaky children and insanity. I don't get the movie and I don't get why everyone thinks it's so great.... someone care to chime me in on this "anime classic?"
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jamey 5:56PM (2/21/2008)
Whats not to understand about a giant teddy bear that constantly bleeds milk?
Reading the books was the only way I could figure it out.
I cant wait to see the bike in live action though.
Jess Allen 10:03PM (2/21/2008)
weak people + great power = tyrant
Galley 8:51AM (2/22/2008)
I agree. It just went on and on and on.
chris norys 2:28AM (3/07/2008)
The movie and manga are two completely different storylines. The movie sucks, and has very little accuracy to the flawless manga.
SCharger 9:03AM (2/22/2008)
Akira took a step beyond the typical action sequence anime of the time and introduced a psychological and philosophical storyline to the genre. It may not have been the first to do something of the sort, but it was certainly one of the most unique. In addition to that, it was one of the first anime movies to get any sort of mainstream press in the US. As a result, it opened up a whole new market for anime production companies and creators. It may not be the best anime flick in existence, but it certainly does deserve its elevated status in the realm of Japanese animation.
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Spirit R 6:03PM (2/21/2008)
People don't get the movie because it was condensed from the 6 manga into a 2 hour movie. Read the books and maybe you'll appreciate it more, but if you don't like those post WWII, mutation ideas then i don't think you'll have a change of heart.
It was released in 1988 which is insane when you consider that some of us weren't even 'supposed' to watch this movie for more than 10 years. The animation technique allowed them to double the amount of frames, making it look super smooth and crisp (compare the thundercats intro to the actual body of an episode), almost half a million frames.
It's been a long time coming to make it into a better representation of the manga, and 2 movies sounds great. I won't hold my breath though, but potentially it's very cool.
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John R 6:13PM (2/21/2008)
NOOOOOOOO!!!! Leave it alone!
Arrgh, first Dragonball, then Robotech/Macross and now this. Can't say I'm really surprised, but I know Hollywood will muck it up.
You know what's coming next. Ghost in the Shell with Lucy Liu, bleech...
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94 taurus owner 9:26AM (2/22/2008)
Wow this is the third(well fourth if you include tekken) (yes there was a tekken movie ,in 98) that's anime show going to be turned to be turned into a live action movie.
here's a list
Speed racer...2008
Dragon ball...2009
Tekken...2009
and now this Akira 2009
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Big Rocket 6:28PM (2/21/2008)
[Spoiler Alert]
On the surface, Akira is an anime about a teenage gang with cool bikes in a post-apocalyptic society. But dig beneath the surface, and the core question emerges: What would happen to someone if he gains god-like powers? Akira seems to argue that mankind does not have the wisdom to use god-like powers responsibly. Add that to the imagery of the atomic explosion at the start of the film, and you can imagine what this Japanese anime is really trying to say.
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Apu 9:36AM (2/22/2008)
Isn't that the message in, like, every post-apocalyptic movie?
Ed 6:44PM (2/21/2008)
This could be awesome. The most important thing is that they put that badass recumbent AWD hyperbike in it, the people who make bikes realise there is a market/interest for super awesome crazy futuristic bikes, and make it for real.
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Atropos 6:45PM (2/21/2008)
Why ruin this ? Just the thought of it is depressing.
Seriously... next thing you know, someone will want to make a movie of House of Leaves (and believe they could pull it off)
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JJ 11:37PM (2/21/2008)
Well if the creator is signed on... it couldnt turn out "THAT" bad.
Now if he up and walks away from the project...then... well, THEN we can worry =).
But all in all i see nothing bad with it, i would actually LIKE to see a live action version of Akira.
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94 taurus owner 10:56PM (2/21/2008)
Wow this is the fourth Anime movie(if you include
the Tekken movie made in 98) that will be turned into a live action film. Here's A list
1.Speed racer...2008
2.Dragon ball...2009
3.Tekken...2009
4.and now this Akira...2009
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