While they were always going to have to make changes for the live-action, Hollywood version of Akira, having a 46-year-old playing a role that was a teenager in the anime & manga is perhaps a bigger alteration than most has expected. However that’s what Warner is thinking, as they want Keanu Reeves to play Kaneda, according to THR.
Back in March it was reported that the likes of Garrett Hedlund, Michael Fassbender, Chris Pine, Justin Timberlake and Joaquin Phoenix were being considered to play Kaneda, although it seems that having had success with him in The Matrix, the studio is now looking at Keanu. The studio has also had trouble casting Kaneda’s best friend, Tetsuo, although it’s been indicated that Robert Pattinson, Andrew Garfield and James McAvoy were in contention. It’s hoped if they can lure in an a-lister like Reeves to play Kaneda, it’ll be easier to find someone to take on Tetsuo.
Albert Hughes and Allen Hughes will direct Akira from a screenplay by Harry Potter screenwriter Steve Kloves. The story centres on Kaneda, the leader of a biker gang in a stylized version of Manhattan, who tries to save his best friend Tetsuo from a medical experiment, which could unleash hidden destructive powers.