It's just a rumor for the time being, but word is that Zac Effron has been offered the lead role(I assume that's Kaneda) in the upcoming live action version of the popular manga/anime, Akira. /Film's Peter Sciereta says..
I’m not able to confirm the offer, but one source tells me Efron is in talks, while another says that it is “far from a done deal.”
To be honest, if this did come to pass I wouldn't be at all surprised. It seems like this adaptation is being taken in a fairly family friendly direction indeed. The project originated at WB through Leonardo Dicaprio's Appian Way production company. Irish director Ruairhi Robinson was originally going to direct. Since then the script has gone through a few hands, and numerous rewrites. Now Albert Hughes(of The Hughes Brothers) is in the driving seat, and last we heard from him he said he wants the first movie(he doesn't know if he will even stick around for the second instalment) to be brought in at a PG13. What better way to solidify that than to bring in Zac Effron as your lead. Maybe they can get Justin Bieber on board as Tetsuo?
UPDATE: Bloody Disgusting confirm that Effron has indeed been offered the lead. But its unknown if that is Kaneda or Tetsuo. Keep your eyes peeled for further updates.
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Mark Cassidy is a writer, photographer, amateur filmmaker, and Rotten Tomatoes-approved critic from Dublin, Ireland.