THOR: RAGNAROK Director Taika Waititi Says He Wouldn't Whitewash The Cast If He Directs AKIRA

THOR: RAGNAROK Director Taika Waititi Says He Wouldn't Whitewash The Cast If He Directs AKIRA

Rumour has it that Thor: Ragnarok director Taika Waititi could take the helm of that long-delayed Akira movie and the filmmaker has now revealed that he wouldn't even consider whitewashing the cast...

By JoshWilding - Oct 11, 2017 02:10 AM EST
Filed Under: Akira
Source: IGN
During a recent interview with IGN, Taika Waititi confirmed that he's been approached about directing a live-action version of Akira but refused to reveal whether or not he's seriously considering taking charge of the movie which has been in the works for years now. However, if he ends up signing on to direct, he won't be remaking the classic anime; he actually intends on looking to the manga instead.

"I actually love the books. Love the movie, but I would not do a remake of the movie. I would do an adaptation of the books," the Thor: Ragnarok director confirmed, adding, "And, yeah, so anyway there's been some chats [about him directing it]." In the past, the likes of Garrett Hedlund and Kristen Stewart have been attached to star in the movie but Waititi's version wouldn't be whitewashed.

"Actually Asian teenagers would be the way to do it for me and probably no, not, like no name, I mean sort of unfound, untapped talent," he revealed, promising that he would stick to the source material rather than casting A-List (white) stars. "Yeah, I'd probably want to take it a bit back more towards the books." What do you guys think of these comments? Share your thoughts down below.
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deepee3
deepee3 - 10/11/2017, 2:35 AM
Works for me. I hope he gets to do it.
DetectiveCinema
DetectiveCinema - 10/11/2017, 2:48 AM
Best way to go really, it'd resonate more sticking closer to the source material. Big fan of Waititi, really excited to see what he's done with Thor: Ragnorok
Invictor
Invictor - 10/11/2017, 2:56 AM
@JoshWilding
Clip of Korg and Thor talking:

Kumkani
Kumkani - 10/11/2017, 3:02 AM
@Invictor - Korg's voice is hilarious lmao
Unites
Unites - 10/11/2017, 3:05 AM
@Invictor - Without the logo's:
CaptainElrond
CaptainElrond - 10/11/2017, 3:16 AM
@Unites - Thats a nice way of putting it.
Kumkani
Kumkani - 10/11/2017, 3:00 AM
Really starting to like this guy. Need to check on out his movies
Deonox
Deonox - 10/11/2017, 6:06 AM
@BlindWedjat - Just saw hunt for the wilderpeople. Oh my goodness, it was Aaaaaamazing. I laughed, got teary eyed, and had such a great time. The journey and escalation from the first 10 minute to the last 20 minutes was unbelievable. Don't watch any trailers!! I went in blind and it was soooooo good that way
BloodyBed
BloodyBed - 10/11/2017, 3:29 AM
Hollywood: "take this guy off the list"
Talontd
Talontd - 10/11/2017, 4:23 AM
MultiMedia996
MultiMedia996 - 10/11/2017, 5:32 AM
Akira's conception from what I gather is rooted in social problems Japan faced back in the time it was created. So it makes sense you'd go with an asian cast.
CurlyBill
CurlyBill - 10/11/2017, 6:00 AM
I'm getting sick of hearing about the so called whitewashing. Ghost in the shell, Akira, and Deathnote are american adaption of the source material. Since america is a melting pot of diffrent races that means they can cast Hispanic, African, Asian, Native and yes Caucasian Americans in them. These films are american adaptions and should reflect american culture.

MaximusTheMad
MaximusTheMad - 10/11/2017, 6:30 AM
@CurlyBill -

Anime and Manga has inherent traits that are unique to Japan.

This means most of the characters are Japanese, but still, I bet everyone could name several animes with Caucasian non-Japanese main characters.

However, if the main character's name is Akira and the story takes place in a city called "Neo-Tokyo", then your cast better reflect that fact, otherwise it's whitewashing in it's purest and most disgusting form.
Hawknaba
Hawknaba - 10/11/2017, 11:22 AM
@CurlyBill - But all those adaptations were shit, i'd be happier for a shit story that at least takes the artistic liberty of casting a fully asian cast
ODanil
ODanil - 10/11/2017, 12:17 PM
@MaximusTheMad - good thing Akira is not the main character then, huh?

There is no need for the cast of Akira to be all japanese, if anything, I really like the idea of Akira being the only japanese character.
lntrn8
lntrn8 - 10/11/2017, 6:12 AM
Yes dammit! . . . no more of this silliness
BlackStar25
BlackStar25 - 10/11/2017, 8:06 AM
WHO CARES?...Only America....
Shanksman
Shanksman - 10/11/2017, 9:33 AM
@BlackStar25 - Im not American, and I [frick]ing CARE.
GwenLantern
GwenLantern - 10/11/2017, 8:50 AM
This is only the second time that I have not been absolutely terrified at the prospect of an Akira adaptation.

(The first time was when Chris Nolan was rumoured to be doing it as a trilogy).

GIVE
THIS MAN
THE MOVIE.

This is exactly how it should be done, Warners.

We all know it.

If you wanna cash in the Akira name so badly, then mother*cking do it right. Throw cash at it. Big, big budget. Trilogy. Waititi.

The Manga has a very adaptable three-act structure.

Concentrate on adapting the first two books and homaging the anime through that (the opening sequence, for instance was very much improved by the anime).

TW is our only hope, genuine fangirls and boys.
KiddSoul
KiddSoul - 10/11/2017, 9:23 AM
If they would cast someone like Ryan Potter as Kaneda the same kid that campaigned for Tim Drake I believe that would be the best-inspired casting ever and then the casting department should go from there. He is half Japanese btw.
Shanksman
Shanksman - 10/11/2017, 9:28 AM
As an Asian dude, just by hearing this makes me gonna watch Thor Ragnarok atleast twice even if it sucks (which I doubt it would). And this is coming from a guy who rarely watch the same movie twice in theater.

Please let this man direct Akira!!!!
BrettMan
BrettMan - 10/11/2017, 9:31 AM
I feel like the main characters should be Asian, but I always got the sense from the story that in this world, the main melting pot country of the world where everyone comes together is Japan, so it wouldn't be absurd to see people of other races there. Also if you're going to go all-Asian with Kaneda's gang, Tetsuo should visibly be only half-Asian, 'cause it would create a visual distinction between him and the others, and help cement his role as an outsider.
Shanksman
Shanksman - 10/11/2017, 9:45 AM
@BrettMan - Sounds good. Im totally fine with Caucasian and other races to have a huge part in the movie as long as Kaneda and Tetsuo are Asian descendant. (I love diversity, so I dont fancy the idea of an all Asian cast or all White or Black cast)
Yeah Tetsuo can maybe play by Ryan Potter and hope they goes for an Asian newcomer like Waititi said to play Kaneda.
Hawknaba
Hawknaba - 10/11/2017, 11:39 AM
Shit would be groundbreaking, a Hollywood Asian movie, that isn't just a generic martial arts movie.

Crazy.

I'm happy that it's becoming less of a prerequisite for an Asian actor to be a martial artist for roles, more young actors like Ross Butler and Ki Hong Lee getting to hit the scene
MaximusTheMad
MaximusTheMad - 10/11/2017, 12:48 PM
Kanedaaaa!!!!!!!
WeAreVenom86
WeAreVenom86 - 10/11/2017, 1:02 PM
Personally...we thought Ghost in the Shell was actually a pretty decent movie. It did stick pretty close to the source material for the motion picture back in the day with the only thing REALLY being different was The Major's origin and the Big Bad Greedy corporation. For [frick]'s sake...the only real Japanese actor in that movie SPOKE JAPANESE THE ENTIRE TIME! It worked perfectly in the context of the manga and anime since, in that, everything is a friggin' melting pot. We mean...hell...the film even got the blessing from the director of the original movie and LOVED what they were doing with it...not to mention the interview with numerous Japanese people in Tokyo about their thoughts on an American playing Major...and they gave two shits!!! Akira...though...because of the full context of the anime and Manga...yeah...all Asian cast should be used.

In other news...anyone hear about the creator of Full Metal Alchemist not liking the idea of an all Japanese cast in the live action film!?
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