Hollywood Grabs Ninja Scroll & Full Metal Panic

Hollywood Grabs Ninja Scroll & Full Metal Panic

Dragonball Evolution has whetted the appetites of Hollywood studios for Anime properties...

By AVEN - Apr 07, 2009 04:04 PM EST
Filed Under: Anime & Manga

Two major anime titles, Ninja Scroll and Full Metal Panic, are set for live action adaptations and are nearing pre-production.



Ninja Scroll is to be produced by Leonardo DiCaprio (and Warner Brothers) headed company Appian Ways, whilst Mandalay Pictures has acquired the rights to Full Metal Panic.

Reports suggest DiCaprio is considering casting famous male group SMAP as the leads in the live action Ninja Scroll. He is said to be intent to “cast with Japanese people” in the adaptation, which he acquired the rights to last year.

Appian Ways also holds the rights for another legendary anime movie, Akira, though no details on this were given.

DiCaprio, said to be a great fan of both movies, has stated that filming won’t start until everyone involved is satisfied with the script.



SMAP’s agency was not forthcoming in a recent statement to Nikkan Sports: “We have nothing to say yet, but if it does come true, we would certainly like to talk about it further.”

Additionally, news that Mandalay Pictures has successfully acquired the rights to a live action adaptation of the Full Metal Panic! series also surfaced.

In what could be the the news that makes or breaks the movie, actor Zac Efron is apparently set to play Japanese born (but Afghan raised) lead Sousuke Sagara.

It is not clear whether the character will be changed to fit the casting of a non-Japanese actor, but this seems far from improbable



Original info: http://www.sankakucomplex.com/2009/04/08/hollywood-grabs-ninja-scroll-full-metal-panic/
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thenumber12
thenumber12 - 4/7/2009, 11:29 PM
NOOOO!
JamesH
JamesH - 4/8/2009, 4:01 AM
Ninja Scroll animated movie is the best animes of all time. I dont think any live action flick will ever compare so why do it anyway? If they do, i hope the fight scenes are CG like the ones done in Blade2 and not wiresh!t like other movies.
Smolo
Smolo - 4/8/2009, 5:46 AM
AHAHHAHHAH. Leo??? He sux as a person and is a blah actor. Why must he ruin so many things? Although I think the best thing he was in was when he got a bullet to the brain!
icebergslick
icebergslick - 4/8/2009, 6:35 AM
I just don't think live action film does anime justice.
MarkCassidy
MarkCassidy - 4/8/2009, 6:36 AM
Know him personally do you smolo??..and hes a great actor. He was class in The Departed, The Aviator, Revolutionary Road and Blood Diamond among others. I have never seen Ninja Scroll or Full Metal Panic but Akira is one of my favorite movies so i hope we get a decent adaptation.
greenlanternsector2814
greenlanternsector2814 - 4/8/2009, 7:54 AM
I have to agree with Rorschach. DiCaprio is an awesome actor. The only movies of his I didn't like was the Beach and Titanic.
cable82
cable82 - 4/8/2009, 8:37 AM
Smolo doesnt have good taste in movies or actors. DiCaprio is one of the best actors that have graced the big screen. Never saw the Beach, but all of the movies I have seen him in were great (Titanic, Whats eating Gilbert Grape, Aviator, Catch me if you can, Departed, Blood Diamond, etc.). I hope they do a good adaptation.
bladeshad
bladeshad - 4/8/2009, 8:47 AM
we should all be very clear on this. LEO IS NOT ACTING IN NINJA SCROLL. he is the producer.

and it seems he got the rights to the movie not the less then par tv show that has one plot that they recycle every episode.

also leo is heavly involved with Appian Ways. he is acting in ever other movie they do (imdb.com says so) and wrote a few and is producing alot.

as for akira: he's not the lead.... yet. but it is two movies not one.

Recent talks have begun again as Warner Brothers has signed on to produce the movie with Stephen Norrington (writer) and Jon Peters (producer).[14] Akira will be developed into two live action films with the first scheduled for a summer 2009 release.[15] Warner Brothers and Appian Way will adapt the two movies from the manga, with each one covering three volumes. Akira will be Ruairi Robinson's directorial debut for a feature film. He was nominated for a short film Oscar in 2002 for Fifty Percent Grey. Gary Whitta is writing the script. Andrew Lazar, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Jennifer Davisson will produce the film. No announcement has been made regarding the cast.

The new expected date is February 2, 2011 but all dates are still unofficial.
GUNSMITH
GUNSMITH - 4/8/2009, 9:22 AM
THE WACHOWSKI BROTHERS CAN DO ANIME LIVE ACTION FILMS.WHAT THEY LACK IN VISUAL PRESENTATION(WICH THEY DONT LOSE TO MUCH OF) IN FILMS THEY MAKE UP WITH GREAT STORY.
Talontd
Talontd - 4/8/2009, 9:38 AM
Ninja Scroll rocks!!! I guess DiCaprio has an inner nerd, it seems like he's pretty into Anime!

I just hope he's careful, but i'll reserve judgement until I see Akira.
Betty
Betty - 4/8/2009, 9:45 AM
what GUNSMITH said.
adamant877
adamant877 - 4/8/2009, 9:55 AM
You're forgetting the Akira movie that's in the works. Leo Dicrapio has been talking about making these live action anime films for a little over a year now, not much in the way of "new" news here, except the casting rumor about the pop group, Smap.
ComicChic
ComicChic - 4/8/2009, 10:28 AM
I was excited because I LOVE FMP... then I saw Zack Efron and I puked in my mouth just a little.
joob234
joob234 - 4/8/2009, 12:26 PM
all i want is neon genesis evangelion movie!!!!!!! or rouroni kenshin, thatd be bad ass
joob234
joob234 - 4/8/2009, 12:29 PM
o and what about the ghost in the shell movie that spielbergs producing!!!!
LEEE777
LEEE777 - 4/8/2009, 2:14 PM
If anything HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL is in any of these movies, no friggin' way lol!!!
Gigacrusher45
Gigacrusher45 - 4/8/2009, 2:28 PM
I am extremely scared. From this news the Dragonball movie is going to do to anime what Spiderman/X-men did to comic's or Lotr/Harry P did to epic book series MAKE MOVIES ABOUT EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM BECAUSE WE CAN'T THINK OF ANYTHING ELSE.
Gigacrusher45
Gigacrusher45 - 4/8/2009, 2:28 PM
I am extremely scared. From this news the Dragonball movie is going to do to anime what Spiderman/X-men did to comic's or Lotr/Harry P did to epic book series MAKE MOVIES ABOUT EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM BECAUSE WE CAN'T THINK OF ANYTHING ELSE.
adamant877
adamant877 - 4/8/2009, 5:00 PM
Gigacrusher45: Be afraid, be VERY afraid! lol

And if you think these sound bad, think on this... The new "Akira" movie is supposed to be set in the U.S., in present day! AAaaarrgghhhh!!!!
shibazz
shibazz - 4/8/2009, 7:06 PM
Leo is a damn good actor and i like his passion for such little known titles in the mainstream. I hope that his interest in this Japanese boy band is pure and not a lovers promise. if not then i think i trust him with the story and cannot wait to see ninja scroll on the big screen! I hope Jubei is old enough though. and that it is not set in some modern time . stick with the story and make it an epic!!!!! ooooh i wanna see the poison person get you know whatt'd to kill you know who!
BOOK552
BOOK552 - 4/8/2009, 7:43 PM
dude the ninja scroll movie was great, but i dont think it will work for a live action film
TaffetaDarling
TaffetaDarling - 4/8/2009, 8:23 PM
whoa. Ninja Scroll, there is NO WAY a live action will ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever
be outdone.


next they'll be looking at fist of the north star.
):
HarrisonBergeron
HarrisonBergeron - 4/8/2009, 8:57 PM
Full Metal Panic could be a very successful teen aimed movie, like Twilight or Cirque du Freak. Actually, I don't think it would work any other way, but I don't like that the first big robot anime adaptation would be wasted on a teeny flick. Use Gundam or one of the other franchises that can be marketed to fans and outsiders alike to introduce the genre to the U.S.
Osiris
Osiris - 4/8/2009, 11:34 PM
I knew this was going to happen, now I'm just waiting for the confirmation of a Pokemon movie and Hollywood will have finally sunk to it's lowest form, they are picking off all the big name Anime one by one just like they did comic books

maybe Anime to live action will be ok as long as FOX doesn't acquire another franchise, the Blood the last vampire movie coming out looks sweet there are scenes in the movie that are pulled right from the Anime.
LEEE777
LEEE777 - 4/9/2009, 6:42 AM
TAFFETADARLING @ They've done a Live FIST OF THE NORTHSTAR years ago with Gary Daniels! Sorry lol, i got the DVD, and it ain't too bad though doesn't touch the animated version! ; )
Spock
Spock - 4/9/2009, 9:44 AM
Ninja Scroll is awesome, but never seen Full Metal Panic. I was thinking of Full Metal Alchemnist. The news on Di Carpio isn't so new but its still great to hear. Just don't botch it up!
LastSon1027
LastSon1027 - 4/9/2009, 1:07 PM
Ninja Scroll was pretty sweet and as for Dicaprio I liked him a lot in Catch me if you Can.
10THTIGER
10THTIGER - 5/24/2009, 12:22 PM
IT IS UTERLLY IMPOSSIBLE AND INSULTING TO MAKE A NINJA SCROLLS FILM WITH NON ASIAN ACTORS WTF!! DATS ONE OF THE REASONS SPEED RACER,N DBE SUCKED. WE AS ANIME FANS "KNOW" THAT THESE FILMS ARE ETHNIC. DATS LIKE THEM FILMING A HECTOR LAVOE MOVIE WITH JACK BLACK IN THE LEAD, OR WORSE YET TOM CRUISE AS MALCOM X. IF DEPRICKIO DOES IT HE BETTER RESPECT THE SOURCE MATERIAL. WE HAVE THE TECH TO MATCH ANY SPECIAL EFFECT THAT ANIME HAD EVEN SURPASS IT. HOLLYWOOD NEEDS TO ADAPT GOLGO 13 WITH CHOW YUN FAT AS THE LEAD SO FAR BLOOD LOOKS STRAIGHT OUT OF THE AMIME THESE IDIOTS IN HOLLYWOOD SHOULD WATCH THE LAST VAMPIRE N TAKE IT FROM THERE IN OTHER WORDS RESPECT THE SOURCE MATERIAL I MEAN LOOK AT AVATAR ITS GONNA BLOW BIG TIME IVE SEEN SCREEN SHOTS ANG IS A WHITE KID N ZUKO IS OF INDIAN DECENT SEE WHAT I MEAN EVERYBODY KNOWS AVATAR TAKES PLACE IN CHINA JIM CAMERON N M. NIGHT ARE ASSHOLES
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