If everything had gone to plan, wed have been watching Akira in cinemas last summer. However while Warner bought the rights in 2008 and put a remake of the manga/anime on the fast track, various problems – from ever-changing directors to difficulty finding actors for the lead roles – has meant that its only now that its getting the greenlight. Indeed, there have been a couple time where it appeared the whole thing had been cancelled, so its almost surprising Warner has given it the thumbs up.
It appears the reason its definitely going ahead is that plans for a $150 million movie featuring at least one hugely expensive a-list star have been scaled back to a $90 million film (but with room left open for more Akira is this one is a success) featuring up and comers. Variety reports that Warner wants to start shooting in late February/early March 2012, with Unknown and Orphan helmer Jaume Collet-Sera directing.
At the moment there are no actors attached, but TRON: Legacy star Garrett Hedlund is the front runner for the lead role of Kaneda.
Harry Potter writer Steve Kloves has been working on the screenplay, with the film moving the action from Tokyo to a futuristic Manhattan. Biker Kaneda tries to save his friend Tetsuo, whos involved in a secret government project, which involves bringing out someones latent psychokinetic powers.