Akira (Live-action) 2009

[WiseOldTabbyCat]

So there's been a bit of talk here and there about Hollywood making a live-action Akira film. No doubt the script is probably Americanised to buggery, but it still might be something.
The new film is supposed to be based more around the original manga than the anime, and the first film, set to be released this summer will focus on the first 3 volumes, and the second film around the the last three and will be released in 2011.

http://www.movieweb.com/movies/film/FI4ord75AnPN76

Comments?

Oh yeah. Apparently, Leonardo DiCaprio is supposed to be Kaneda.

[CnGy]

Leo would be good. Kaneda is the one that goes crazy right? Only reason I'm excited about this is I am curious to see how they....how they could even make this live-action at all. If it's anything BUT a trainwreck I will be impressed.

[WiseOldTabbyCat]

Kaneda is the one in the red jacket who rides the sweet motorbike in the film.
I wasn't sure about Leonardo to play him at first, but now I realise that it might work better than I thought.
Not too happy about Neo-Tokyo being changed to something like "Neo-Manhattan"

[CnGy]

Not too happy about Neo-Tokyo being changed to something like "Neo-Manhattan"

well yeah, but, i'm hoping that's the only bad thing.

[javaD]

Well, the guy doing the script wrote Gears of War...I hope this doesn't suck

[WiseOldTabbyCat]

Wow....Not much enthusiasm drifting about on this board.

[CnGy]

Most of these people probably don't even know what Akira is, don't blame them.

I really think that this could be done quite beautifully in live-action if they CARE.

[Sherbetcat]

Well, this could either end up as an amazing film, or a complete failiure. I'm hoping for the first option.

I'm not sure about DiCaprio though.. it seems a bit strange. He could probably pull it off, but I don't think it would really fit.

[adriskrayzee]

Anime/Manga turned into Live Action films usually end up in disaster. Hope for the best, expect the worse.

[CnGy]

Anime/Manga turned into Live Action films usually end up in disaster. Hope for the best, expect the worse.

Well to be fair Akira is not like most anime/manga I have ever seen really.

Then again it's all i've seen.

I think Leo would work if they forced him to get back to the shape he was in Titanic.

[Riddlebox]

I predict this turning out like the DBZ live action movie. They're probably going to change everything to suit an American audience or some crap.

[I_Smell]

As long as they have crazy-long trails of light coming off the bikes then they've done it right.

[phonetics]

Well, the guy doing the script wrote Gears of War...I hope this doesn't suck

I wouldn't consider that a positive.

Also, I saw this a while ago and I figured it suits the thread.

<object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/jafd97yJFOI&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/jafd97yJFOI&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object>

[CnGy]

I predict this turning out like the DBZ live action movie. They're probably going to change everything to suit an American audience or some crap.

I do not see how this is possible considering DBZ sucks and Akira doesn't.

[Riddlebox]

I do not see how this is possible considering DBZ sucks and Akira doesn't.

Because someone like Uwe boll will end up directing it, it's live action, and the guy writing the script has basically only worked on videogames, and one screenplay.

[WiseOldTabbyCat]

I reckon it will be americanised to buggery and the only thing remotely Japanese will be the names, and if we are lucky Lady Miyako.

[spacemonkey187]

I reckon it will be americanised to buggery and the only thing remotely Japanese will be the names, and if we are lucky Lady Miyako.

Now we're in global recession Hollywood enters safety mode where the only things they'll take a chance on is remakes and sequels to established franchises so we can probably expect to see a lot more of this and, in the end, it's arses on seats that Hollywood wants.
I cannot see Akira in live action to be honest. I've been burned in the past by spectacular comic book concepts being destroyed by film:

http://www.internationalhero.co.uk/d/dreddss.jpg
gah

http://www.fanboycreative.co.uk/blog/images/sexiest-superheroes/women/jennifer-garner-elektra.jpg
nggh

http://thevoidmovies.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/rorschach.jpg
noooo

Now, who will be first to point out that the thread's about animation being made into live action being remis vis-a-vie mangas being comic books?

It was Testuo who went crazy by the way, not Kaneda.

[VerminScum]

I believe this idea has been scrapped, but I'm not sure. I had heard a while back that Spielberg wanted to do it.

[DulcisParumBarbarus]

I'm kind of scared but plan to see it no matter what.

[Tyler_Legrand]

Tetsuooooooooo

Kanedaaaaaaaaaa

[Dauntasa]

They're gonna take out all the cool bits. Like the bit with the bears.

[Chriz]

The Akira live action movie is dead. A review of the script was released and it received mixed responses on the information. 'Modernised' and 'Name-Changing' and so forth.

Spielberg was not linked with Akira, but he IS linked with Ghost in the Shell, a 3D remake.

As for Anime remakes, the one I am really concerned about is Cowboy Bebop, that FOX is making. Keanu Reeves has been casted as Spike, so I am fearing that I will be horribly depressed whenever this movie comes out.

For any other fans of Anime > Live Action, you'll be happy to know apart from GiTS and CB, is that Ninja Scroll, Voltron and Robotech are still in development to being made.

But let me say this, why have your old favourite Animes massacred? Look what is in the cinema at the moment, Blood: The Last Vampire, Jesus Christ, it looks horrible. And they want to do that to Cowboy Bebop? Fuck off.

[Rob]

http://thevoidmovies.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/rorschach.jpg
noooo


Are you kidding me? Watchmen was awesome, fun and faithful to the source.

[VerminScum]

http://www.internationalhero.co.uk/d/dreddss.jpg
gah

Are you kidding me? Judge Dredd was awesome, fun and faithful to the source.

[Rob]

Were you trying to make a point because it didn't work.

[John Travolta]

Judge Dredd was pretty awesome.

[VerminScum]

Judge Dredd is awesome.

[exetra]

http://spoonyexperiment.com/img/misc/dredd1.jpg
http://spoonyexperiment.com/img/misc/dredd3.jpg


Yeah, pretty much awesome.

[WiseOldTabbyCat]

One of the guys who created Judge Dredd liked little girls.

[Pachycephelosaurus]

Bizump for news - apparently the movie isn't dead.

http://movies.ign.com/articles/102/1021972p1.html

[SlothMan]

I havn't actually seen or had bearly heard of Akira up untill this thread, but while I was gouging through the internet for a trailer of some sort, I stumbled across this news about a potential Ninja Scroll live action movie (http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-10-26/warner-brothers-to-produce-live-action-ninja-scroll). I'd fucking love to see that.

[Chocoholic]

I really do not understand why we feel the need to shit upon good anime. What's next, a Princess Mononoke live-action film? A Paprika one?

[SlothMan]

While a live action version could very well be shit, I don't think it would actually harm the credibility or awesomeness of the original anime, and a live action version has the potential to be just as awesome. Worth the risk, in my opinion.

[Homemaster]

Mmmm I just watched the anime the other night for like the 5th or so time, it was still amazing. No need for a remake IMO, it can't possibly be better than the original. A Neon Genesis live action film would kick all kinds of ass though, maybe make it a little easier to understand. I love how all my friends say they didn't understand Akira, and thus didn't like it. Should make 'em watch Evangelion for a true Japanese mind fuck.

Now to read the mangas again!

[SlothMan]

If they actually go through with the Neon Genesis live action film, I doubt the ending will be anything like that of the anime series. That shit's just too fucked up for a mainstream audience.

[Chocoholic]

While a live action version could very well be shit, I don't think it would actually harm the credibility or awesomeness of the original anime, and a live action version has the potential to be just as awesome. Worth the risk, in my opinion.

These things almost never turn out well. It's due more to our need to change things to fit in with the cultural differences, which usually ends up messing up the story.

Not to mention who the writer for this movie is. I mean really now. You have one of the most famous animes ever and the writer you get did Gears of War?

[SlothMan]

Yes, Akira will fuck shit up with his mind and also with a chainsaw bayonet.

[spacemonkey187]

http://spoonyexperiment.com/img/misc/dredd1.jpg
http://spoonyexperiment.com/img/misc/dredd3.jpg


Yeah, pretty much awesome.

Hoo, sweet. Why couldn't they have done this in live-action? Stallone's Dredd was too cuddly by far. He's supposed to a facist pig, that's the appeal.
This explains a lot also: (from IMDB)

Director Danny Cannon was so disheartened over his constant creative disputes with Sylvester Stallone that he swore he would never again work with another big-name actor. He also claimed that the final version was completely different from the script, due to the changes Stallone demanded.

In the Dredd comics, tradition dictates that Dredd rarely takes off his helmet, thus his face has mostly only fleetingly appeared in full, but the producers obviously would not allow an expensive performer such Sylvester Stallone to never show his face clearly.

Sylvester Stallone had never heard of Judge Dredd until he was offered the role.

Guys, this is what Hollywood does. I'm wondering if I'm cynical enough?