James Franco is in talks to star as the lead role Kaneda in the live action feature-film Akira, JustJared.com has exclusively confirmed.
The flick will be based off of anime artist Katsuhiro Otomo’s six-volume cyberpunk manga (Japanese word for comics). The film is set in New Manhattan, where the leader of a biker gang saves his friend from a medical experiment.
Warner Bros. has tapped director Albert Hughes (The Book of Eli) to helm the project, along with Leonardo DiCaprio’s production company Appian Way.
James Franco’s name is being thrown around with every movie being produced this year so why not include it in something that’s been gestating in production since the 90’s? If including his name helps make this movie a reality then I’m all for it… but I don’t think I’d realistically want to see him starring as Kaneda. They could, and probably should, get an actual Asian person in the role instead as to not upset fans of the 80’s anime.
Akira is the greatest manga I have ever read and one of the best animes ever made in my opinion. I can’t wait to see a live action film of this though I hope they have a huge budget and can go all out! I would love to see most of the manga transferred over but it may not be possible with time constraints. A trilogy would be sweet! If you have no faith in live action anime then go pick up a copy of Cashern. That is one bad ass live action anime!
I’m pretty sure that James Franco can do no wrong these days. I’d be interrested in seeing his take on the anime. I’m not super attached to it, and honestly don’t see why people get so rabid over this movie. It’s a cool idea and with how far cinema has come, I think they could pull it off.
YOU CAN NOT MAKE THIS MOVIE RIGHT. .. . . IF IT HAPPENS I WOULD SHIT MY PANTS. MUST HAVE LEO DICRAPIO IN IT.
A lot of complaints (not just from this site) about the change of setting from Neo Tokyo to New Manhatten, anime/manga can’t be made live action and good, and OMG must be Asians.
Well, I’ve already seen a movie of Akira based in Neo Tokyo starring Asians. Albeit an anime; however, the anime is pretty solid and just as well put together as a live action. So why not do something new like adapt it for a new demographic? If I want to see Neo Tokyo with Asians I will happily throw in the anime, a live action change of setting and race won’t affect the anime in the least for me. Personally I am quite excited to see what is done with this live action adaptation.
As far as anime/manga being crap when made into live action? I remember a time when comic book based movies were in a similar predicament, and video game movies as well (may still be there in some viewers opinions). Their just needs to be a break out hit. If Akira doesn’t do it, oh well. I’ve got high hopes Battle Angel will, though that is some time off. For now I am hoping that Akira can do it. Complaints that some of the outlandish scenes in the Akira story line will not translate over well may be justified, so rework them so that they do. *spoilers* Some people complained about the changes made to the end of Watchmen, where fingers were pointed at Doctor Manhattan rather than a fake alien squid. Personally I found this a great change, as a giant squid appearing in the middle of a city just seemed like all sorts of bad for live action. So apply this idea to Akira. The craziness of Tetsuo near the end of the series getting all crazy mutated and huge, take it and change it so it works for live action. And do so as needed where it is needed. */spoilers*
In the right hands any project can be made excellent. In the wrong hands we get crap. Sure a live action Akira will get scrutinized by one group or another no matter what, but if handled with care a major hit could be made.
James Franco? Why not? Great actor. Age isn’t an issue, as they are obviously making changes so the story could be adjusted to an older age group.
Tetsuo!
KANEDA!
Kaneda: Guess What!
Tetsuo: What?
Kaneda: The battery on muh laser dies wayyyyy too fast!!
Is it just Albert or will Allen direct also?
There is no way to not upset anime fans – they are unpleasable, which is ironic because most anime is garbage – OH SNAP
And I feel like the Hughes Brothers have been tapped to do this for quite a while…
New Manhatten and not Neo Tokyo? That alone is a bad idea.
I thought the live-action Akira was dead in the water?
Anime + Magna = Speed Racer!
Death Note worked out just fine, 402. Sure, the LA was still made in Japan, but my point is magna to live action film CAN work now and then.
I’d like to see James Cameron take a whack at Magna.
Cameron says he will with Battle Angel Alita after he is done with his Avatar sequels
I’m glad Hollywood does not go by that kind of mindset; otherwise we would not have the new Batman trilogy or several of the new superhero movies coming out. People would have seen Batman and Robin and banned comic book adaptations all together. :)
I just threw up a little in my mouth.
I like Franco quite a bit. But nothing about him fits the character. This is terrible casting. The Americanizing doesn’t bother me; I think people fret way too much over that sort of thing. But Franco’s WAY too old, and just not the right type to fill the role.
Just awful.