Title: Akira – Live-Action Film
Tamashi_7 - March 23, 2008 05:44 AM (GMT)
Akira, one of the most well-known anime feature films of the last century, is now being made into two live-action films. The question is, will it be good or is Hollywood going to screw up another classic? I'm sceptical, and would probably put my money on the latter.
| QUOTE |
Live-action ‘Akira’ in 2009
2008.02.22 | News | by Mark Pollard
This news has nothing to do with martial arts cinema but as a devotee of Katsuhiro Otomo’s sci-fi manga epic, AKIRA, I couldn’t pass it up. Rumors of rights to a live-action adaptation have been floating around for years but now the project has entered the fast track. Warner Bros. will soon begin production on the first of two feature films based directly off of Otomo’s six-part graphic novel series, originally published in 1982.
Making his big screen debut, Irish filmmaker Ruairi Robinson will direct both films from scripts by fellow newcomer Gary Whitta. Otomo will act as executive producer. Those curious about Robinson’s potential as a filmmaker can check out his impressive short film, THE SILENT CITY. Another one of his short films was nominated for an Oscar and he has also directed a number of commercials.
Leonardo DiCaprio is attached as one of the film’s producers, which is also an indicator of a likely casting choice for one of the films’ leading roles.
Warner is describing the films as “BLADERUNNER meets CITY OF GOD.” For those familiar with AKIRA, that should be encouraging. Following the release of the groundbreaking 1988 feature film, AKIRA has gained a large and fanatical fanbase around the world. Its popularity is driven by Otomo’s grand dystopian vision of a war-ravaged Neo-Tokyo overrun with violent biker gangs, disaffected youth, cultists, corrupt politicians, trigger-happy military police, insurgents, and one dangerously reckless psychokinetic teen with a god complex and the power to destroy the entire city.
Although co-directed by Otomo, the 1988 anime film is substantially different from the graphic novels, largely in the way that the elements in the original story were heavily condensed to fit into a two-hour movie. Although visually stunning, AKIRA loses a substantial amount of context from Otomo’s original work.
The decision to go with two live-action movies, each focused on three volumes from the original material is good news, although some notable changes are going to be made such as changing the location from a future Tokyo to a future New York. The story will be set in New Manhattan, a metropolis rebuilt from the ruins of its previous destruction 31 year prior. As we live in a post-9/11 world, it will be interesting to see how Whitta spins AKIRA’s terrorist, police state and WMD elements.
A past stumbling block to making a live-action AKIRA has been the projected budget. The scale of the story is massive and to adequately reproduce it would necessitate the creation of costly sets and visual effects. Thankfully, sci-fi films like THE MATRIX TRILOGY and DARK CITY, both of which were likely influenced by AKIRA, have shown that adapting Otomo’s stylish vision is possible. Now the anxious waiting begins to see if the filmmakers can get it right. If all goes well, we’ll find out in 2009 as the first film arrives in theaters. |
I was quite happily reading that article until I read the text which I bolded out for y'all. I, for one, am quite displeased at this fact; I mean, fucking futuristic New York? What this hell is that?! It's not the right atmosphere for Akira -and I can quite honestly see this destroying the entire feel that Akira presented.
Other than that, though, it does sound pretty good. The comparison to Blade Runner is quite an uplifting thought, but that's easier said than done, I'm afraid. I'm not sure how I like the possibilities of Leonardo DiCaprio being in the film itself, either - like New York, I don't think he brings the right stuff to represent Akira in the right fashion.
Thoughts or opinions, anyway?
Roy Campbell - March 23, 2008 07:49 PM (GMT)
Oh dear.
What is with is with the new craze of turning anime into Live Action Films? I have no doubt in my mind, this will be a total scew up. And changing the setting to New York? -_- Why? why oh why? Can't they leave the true greats alone?
Go away!, I don't want it set in New York and I certainly don't want Leonardo DiCaprio (theres a reason he dies in every film he is in) in it, just leave Akira alone!
wolfie - March 23, 2008 08:23 PM (GMT)
Why god why? I love Akira, the first time I saw the film I was 6 and scared the crap out of me, since then I always been interested in anime, Akira is the reason why i watch Anime. And now some Hollywood studio (Warner of all things) is going to ruin it. What a sad day.
sadistic_greyfox - March 23, 2008 08:35 PM (GMT)
Akira is STILL good enough, It doesn't need any story retelling or a new twist to it. The anime was already superb and I Doubt they will ever approve on superb. More proof that Hollywood has completely run out of ideas, now their attacking Anime and Video games. BTW they aint making these movies for the fans, It's mostly gonna be watered down for the mindless MTV masses.
Helikaon - March 23, 2008 09:13 PM (GMT)
While I'm not really an anime fan, Akira really is outstanding so I will probably watch this live action film when it comes out.
Tamashi_7 - March 24, 2008 03:39 PM (GMT)
Yeah, pretty soon we're going to see all good anime reduced to shitty live-action adaptation. I mean, imagine a Cowboy Bebop live-action film - how much would that blow, honestly? And they're even making a live-action Neon Genesis trilogy - fuck me, I really do detest Hollywood for this shit.
But yeah, as Sad was saying - this just shows how Hollywood is running desperately out of good ideas; so they opt for milking already established narratives with a good fan base. Bloody bastards.
OcelotSnake - March 24, 2008 04:31 PM (GMT)
They arn't going to make it for anime fans because they know they're the ones first to the illegal sites instead of the cinema :P The MTV masses as Sad rightly put it is where the money is, so no, I don't have faith in this being even a half decent adaptation.
@I'm not holding my breath on the planned one for GITS either >_>
sasaki_snake - March 24, 2008 06:47 PM (GMT)
I will probably neglect it in favor of a dbz live action film. But i'm going to keep an eye on it, anime turned film is always interesting.
doubleo sigint - March 24, 2008 07:58 PM (GMT)
Wow I was like watching Akira for the first time like 3 months ago and it blew me away and I even said to myself "hhhmm I wonder if they'll ever make a live action of this" and I was like naaah. And now I find out there making one 3 months later. What a coincidence.
Akira was amazing and I thought this is too great to be adapted into a live action film.
Okay first of all it's based in Neo New York instead of Neo Tokyo, not only does Neo Tokyo have a better ring to it but setting Akira in New York just blows you might aswell call the movie Tom, because they know if they base it in Tokyo they'll be forced to use oriental actors which Hollywood will do anything to avoid and Americans as ignorant as they are probably don't even know where Tokyo is, so they decided to make them even more ignorant by not making it in Tokyo like it rightly should be.
Leo Dio is in this? who the hell is he gonna be Tetsuo? Kaneda? Fuck that if he touches them two i'll eat my hat, i'd rather Kanye West be Tetsuo. :D
Cardboard Box Junkie - March 26, 2008 12:46 AM (GMT)
| QUOTE |
| I'm not holding my breath on the planned one for GITS either |
I think I might go shoot myself now.
Snake Pliskin - March 26, 2008 12:51 PM (GMT)
Please god no. I'm such a big fan of Akira, a live action version will be crap. Anyone remember Fist of the north star, Tha Guyver, Street Fighter (Van Damme Version) in comparision to Street Fighter II the Animated Movie), Crying Freeman, all shite!