"Akira" Movie Is Dead In The Water

"Akira" Movie Is Dead In The Water

The hugely popular Manga "Akira" wont be getting the live action treatment after all.

By MarkCassidy - Jun 15, 2009 06:06 AM EST
Filed Under: Anime & Manga
Source: chud.com

According to C.H.U.D, via Bloody Disgusting, the live action movie of "Akira" has lost its director Ruairi Robinson, and basically, completely given up the ghost.

Its been rumored for ages now that Leonardo Dicaprios production company would be giving Kaneda, Tetsuo and friends the live action treatment, with Dicaprio himself taking a role in the movie and Joseph Gordon Levitt too. No official reason has been given for the projects demise but it wont be seen as a bad thing by many fans of the Anime, that never thought this movie was a good idea to begin with.

Personally as much as i loved the comics and the animated movie, i really wanted to see a live action take on the story, even if it was completely Americanized, with Neo Tokyo apparently becoming New Manhatten in the script!

Maybe someday somebody else will take up the reigns, but for now its goodbye KANEDAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!

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loganoneil
loganoneil - 6/15/2009, 7:07 AM
I'm both disappointed and relieved - disappointed that the film isn't being made, and relieved that Dicaprio's production company isn't [frick]ing things up by 'Americanizing' this classic. However, if ever they do manage to make a live-action version of this, I just want to go on record as saying 'I've got dibs on Kaneda's bike!" (That thing is AWESOME!)
SoulAllFlush
SoulAllFlush - 6/15/2009, 7:12 AM
thank frack

Maybe America really are starting to move forward
Shaman
Shaman - 6/15/2009, 7:27 AM
After Dragondonkeyballs, i saw it coming. They're gonna think twice now for adapting cult japanimation classics now. Here's hoping that Blood does great :))

MarkCassidy
MarkCassidy - 6/15/2009, 8:09 AM
But the thing is, as much as i loved the cartoon, it wasnt really a good adaptation of the comics. The first half stuck fairly close but the second couldnt have been much different! Akira himself isnt even in the movie! Characters are combined, some die that dont in the comic and vice versa. I was hoping that aside from the obvious changes in setting and stuff, that this movie would stick closer to the story
Shaman
Shaman - 6/15/2009, 8:28 AM
Actually, Shinobi: heart under blade WAS GREAT!!! Made Crouching tiger hidden dragon look like the power rangers LOL :P

Roar, maybe they'll adapt it closer to the manga than the anime whenever they figure out if they'll do it.
animeex
animeex - 6/15/2009, 8:34 AM
The movie Shinobi was fantastic... The series one was kinda bad. I am glad in a way that it won't be made or screwed up. Changing the setting already and going American. These animes are already done with dialogue. I hear that the movies made in the orient are cheaper and done quicker... And did I say better. Everyone check out an old movie called Legend of Zu. The effects are amazing.
mgalusick
mgalusick - 6/15/2009, 9:09 AM
Good. That probably wouldn't have worked anyway.
DonkeyPuncher
DonkeyPuncher - 6/15/2009, 9:15 AM
@Rorschach01
Akira was in the movie for about five secondes before he blows the city up. But your right it would have been cool to see a movie closer to the manga
LEEE777
LEEE777 - 6/15/2009, 9:16 AM
Now this is crap news!!! They make us wait ten or so years saying its being made just to say it aint happening, a$$holes!!! It would've been mind blowing!
Hellmont
Hellmont - 6/15/2009, 9:16 AM
The thing about making a movie like Akira is that you need to capture the essence of the Manga. It Neo Tokyo feel and of course the impending danger in every Jappanse Action Franchise..........it doesnt matter who you are or who you kill Tokyo will burn.

Like I have always thought get yourself a writer and director who are fans of the source material. I promise success every time. The second that someone is willing to compromise the essence of the characters or Storyline the whole thing comes tumbling down like a house of Cards.
Bandrews1
Bandrews1 - 6/15/2009, 9:42 AM
Even though I was looking forward to this, they probably would have [frick]ed it up anyway.
spanky
spanky - 6/15/2009, 10:26 AM
good they would have just messed it up anyways.
that is one movie that should not ever be talked aboout making a live action movie.
shibazz
shibazz - 6/15/2009, 11:25 AM
I am glad too... I want to see this made though . Ninja Scroll would kick ass as a movie just so ong as they pick someone who looks just like Jubei and has that cocky ness he had and calmness... and no i wouldn't care if he was Japanese in the movie , cuz they didnt draw him as an Asian.... he looked half Native Am. and half Spanish to me. And please make him skinny. But As far as Akira goes , all those kids were obviously Asian from the Manga to the Anime
shibazz
shibazz - 6/15/2009, 11:26 AM
Wards .... Shinobi Heart Under Blade was Great!!!
JigJRod55
JigJRod55 - 6/15/2009, 1:23 PM
Hopefully Keanu Bebop will be the next to die.
NoobMike
NoobMike - 6/15/2009, 1:46 PM
LOL, now I can finally rest, I sure didn't want to see the whole neo-manhattan setting, starring Leonardo Dicrapio as Jhon Smith, and Joseph Gordon Levitt as Michael Stone, somehow yelling Jhoooooon is not as powerful as yelling Kaneeeedaaaaa.

And I seriously doubt that if they ever make a movie, that it will end up closer to the manga than the anime... I mean that would take like 5 movies and they'd have to destroy the city 15 times.

Now if only Cowboy Bebop was left alone...
MarkCassidy
MarkCassidy - 6/15/2009, 1:51 PM
Well it was going to be 2 movies. Yeah it is prob for the best, but i was just really curious to see what they would have done with it
JerusalemJr
JerusalemJr - 6/15/2009, 2:55 PM
As much as I dreaded the idea of them making this live action I kind of wanted to see it. The cartoon was good but it was crap when you compared it to the original graphic novels, there was so much more that they neglected to tell.
WeaponX
WeaponX - 6/15/2009, 7:48 PM
Good. It should be some sort of "film law" that anime should only be adapted by Japanese cinema (and the exception of other Asian movie houses not based in Japan). The only way I'd find it acceptable for Hollywood to get involved is on a purely financial level.

I too hope Cowboy Bebop is next to get the axe.

If a "Ninja Scroll" live-action type is what you're looking for then check out "Azumi" and "Azumi 2".
Betty
Betty - 6/15/2009, 8:40 PM
Tetsuuuoooo!
loganoneil
loganoneil - 6/15/2009, 9:05 PM
Ror - Too true about the movie not being close to the original manga source, but you've got to admit (and I RARELY say this about anything that isn't cannon cannon), it's a KILLER film in its own right! Not only did it raise the animation bar (20 YEARS AGO), I don't think there's been an anime that's succeeded it since (though a few have come close...). Like I said before, I'm just GLAD that Dicaprio didn't get his grubby paws on it and 'Americanize' (ruin) it. The Japanese flavor IS the film!

"I... am.... TETSUO...!"
NoobMike
NoobMike - 6/15/2009, 9:57 PM
Seriously Hollywood needs to leave anime and manga alone, most of their atempts fail to grasp the concept behind the originals (hell even the remakes for asian horror movies are usually all wrong), however asian countries (HK, Korea, Japan, and even Thailand) have been doing great anime-like live action movies, and even some great live action adaptations.

If Hollywood want's to have blockbuster anime movies, they need to import asian talents and give them complete artistic control over the franchises, something we all know won't ever happen. Sadly Hollywood is trying too hard and missing the point horribly.

Seriously it's like Hollywood trying to do remakes of Bollywood movies... the whole concept behind Bollywood movies are way too Indian to be made by any other country (and yes Slumdog Millionaire does have a bit during the end credits but it was more as an homage to Bollywood movies not the whole movie and it was filmed in India with by a British director). Granted that some anime isn't that deeply based on asian culture but the important aspects of the stories aren't those that Hollywood usually favors, that is why, I think most of those movies are destined to crash and burn.

I don't remember if someone posted this before... but although hilarious it has some disturbing underlying truth to it.



I do agree loganoneil, Akira is extremely japanase flavored for anyone to try to americanize it. And yes Akira is a milestone for animation (even today it looks extremely crisp and much better than many movies with bigger budgets that followed), but as JeruslaemJr stated the story is much much deeper in the manga.

And ror, I just think of the americanized biker gangs (one of the most american aspects of akira)and I start feeling extremely stressed out, popping bveins in my forehead and feeling an aneurysm in my right frontal lobe.
thwhtGuardian
thwhtGuardian - 6/15/2009, 11:22 PM
I was kind of looking forward to this movie... perhaps mostly because I wanted to see the blade runner esque city. I loved the anime, but never read the manga.

Speaking of blade runner, does anyone know if it was ever stated if Otomo was influenced by electric sheep? The two seem way to similar to be a coincidence. I'm not saying he ripped off anyone, they're both unique stories, but Otomo's neotokyo seems very similar to the new york in electric sheep, almost like an homage.
GUNSMITH
GUNSMITH - 6/15/2009, 11:25 PM
THE MOVIE WOULD BE EPIC..HECK, I WANNA SEE ROBOTECH OR FREAKING APPELSEED.
MarkCassidy
MarkCassidy - 6/16/2009, 8:20 AM
I think the Akira movie was deffo influenced by Ridley Scotts cityscapes in Blade Runner.

Loganoneil i agree, the movie was a beast! And although it dint do justice to the Manga story wise, it kept the heart and soul of it in tact. I just wanted to see Akira rule the city with Tetsuo as his prime minister, destroying the moon and all that stuff.
thegreek
thegreek - 6/16/2009, 8:47 AM
This does blow big chunks ....
Gunsmith - what about Gundam Wing.... Or even Trigun ... And ofcourse my favorite Berserk... GO ITALIANS

MarkCassidy
MarkCassidy - 6/16/2009, 9:09 AM
Akira with A TOOL soundtrack? Oh yeah!

thegreek
thegreek - 6/16/2009, 11:06 AM
very nice rosch
BillyBlack
BillyBlack - 6/16/2009, 12:27 PM
Thankfully

I needed a live action American Akira starring Leo DiCaprio like I need a case of crabs. While the idea may have been intruiging, the final product would've most certainly disappointed. Though the fallout on these threads would've made for some entertaining reads.
Spock
Spock - 6/17/2009, 2:52 PM
@ Ror, I bet me to the punch on this one.

I always thought this would make a better Live Action film than Ninja Scroll, because there are just so many martial arts films out there. Now don't get me wrong I love Ninja Scroll. But Akira is unique & different. There are many people who are in favor of a Live Action Akira movie as are against it. Just seeing the Special Effects would great to see. Just like Final Fantasy The Spirits WithIn back in early 2001. That wasn't so ground breaking but the CGI was great. If they are going to stick with CGI it should just as good as cinematics on PC GAMES or better 1080 frames per second or more.
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