Well MrBlueSky, I guess I was wrong about not being able to come up with another anime adaptation.
One of my favorite manga/anime series, right up there with Masami Kurumada's "Knights of the Zodiac", is Shotaro Ishinomori's 60's classic "Cyborg 009".
The premise follows nine people from around the world who had been kidnapped by the evil Black Ghost organization, which is dedicated to spreading chaos and war while profiting from the weapons sales resulting from them. The nine are experimented on and turned into cyborg soldiers with different abilities as part of the next phase of Black Ghost's operations. With the help of one of Black Ghost's coerced scientists, they manage to escape and vow to end Black Ghost's reign of terror once and for all.
I was exposed to the story via Toonami's airing of the US dub of the 2001 anime, and a few years later I checked out one of Tokyopop's reprints of the original 60's manga. Just recently I re-watched the first 35 episodes of the 2001 anime, and my love for the series remains the same. I thought it would make a great movie, as it has a lot to work with much more than the disaster that was the Dragonball movie or Aeon Flux. So, here's my idea for a director and cast:
Director: Brad Bird
He's directed action flicks before, with the most recent Mission: Impossible being an example, and he was one of the guys behind "The Incredibles", so he is used to directing ensemble pictures.
*For the look of the cyborgs' uniforms, I would picture something a bit more practical, along the lines of the reactive armor in G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra, only with the classic colors in a muted red.
Cast:
*With each Cyborg, I tried to cast a lot of people who reflected the character's countries of origin as best I could. I would also be mostly drawing upon the 2001 anime for character portrayals.
Emile Hirsch as Cyborg 009/Joe Shimamura
"Joe is originally from Japan, although he is actually half-Japanese, who's unknown father was a soldier in the US Army stationed in Japan. In the 2001 anime, after his father disappeared and his mother died on the steps of a church, he was an orphan taken in by a Catholic priest from Kanazawa along with their street friends (Mary Onodera, perhaps a tribute to Shotaro Ishinomori, his birth name being Shotaro Onodera; Shin'ichi Ibaraki; and Masaru Oyamada), then when he turned 18 his mentor was killed by Black Ghost members after they used a group of children that he raised in the church as guinea pigs for the Cyborg project; Joe was wrongfully blamed, then captured by the priest's killers and made into a cyborg. He is super-humanly strong, resistant to damage, can leap large distances, and can breathe underwater. His most prominent ability is the power to move at a speed so fast that everything else looks like a statue to him; this is triggered by a switch embedded in his teeth. However, he cannot touch any normal creatures such as humans in this state; the high speeds would kill or otherwise cause serious injury to the creature through air friction."
Though Hirsch starred in another not-too-well received anime adaptation (Speed Racer), I felt that he was the right material for the character--if he had the guts to watch every Speed Racer episode in preparation for the role, it wouldn't be a stretch for him to don 009's trademark scarf.
Anton Yelchin as the voice of Cyborg 001/Ivan Whishkin
"Ivan is a baby originally from Russia, born with a severe illness. His father Gamo (a famous brain surgeon who went mad after searching for a cure) performed numerous brain enhancement processes on Ivan that allowed his mental capacity to far exceed that of a normal human adult, against the wishes of Ivan's mother Erika (whom he even kills in the manga). Ivan later fell into the custody of Black Ghost, who dubbed him the first member of the organization's 00-Cyborg program. Ivan's enhanced brain gives him several psychic powers, such as telepathy, telekinesis, and extra-sensory perception. However, he sometimes falls asleep at inopportune times because he is still a baby and his body can barely handle such powers. He was one of the 00 Cyborgs who were frozen until more advanced technology and procedures were developed. While still a pacifier sucking infant, he is talented in scientific analysis and can telepathically converse at an adult level & acts as the 00 Cyborgs leader."
I picked Yelchin based on his performance as Chekhov in the '09 Star Trek, and as to how 001 is portrayed in the movie, I picture something like (I can't believe I'm referencing this) "Look Who's Talking", though with a Russian accent. I also changed 001's last name from 'Whiskey' to something that doesn't invite any 'funny ideas'.
Taylor Kitsch as Cyborg 002/'Jet' Link
"Jet comes from New York City in the United States and was the leader of the Jets gang in New York's West Side. (In the manga, his character is introduced in a scene that parodies the opening scenes of the movie West Side Story). He was intercepted by Black Ghost members when he stabbed a Puerto Rican gang member to death, who took him away from the scene to be made into a cyborg later. Jet has boosters built into his feet, allowing him to fly at speeds of up to Mach 5. Jet is also equipped with an earlier, less powerful acceleration mode, later refined in 009. He has a brash personality that often conflicts with his peers but is nonetheless a loyal and good-hearted member of the team."
I definitely know that 002's hairstyle could not be done in the real world, so for the sake of him being cryogenically frozen, I'd picture Kitsch sporting a 50's/60's-esque crew-cut or mop top. As for Kitsch himself, I think he could pull off Jet's cocky, smarmy attitude easily enough--he did so as Gambit in the movie-that-shall-not-be-named.
Marion Cotillard as Cyborg 003/Francoise Arnoul
"Françoise was originally a ballet dancer from France. Her brother Jean-Paul, a member of the French Air Force, returned to Paris on a one-week leave, and Françoise was to meet him at the train station. However, she was kidnapped by Black Ghost despite numerous attempts by her brother to save her along the way. In the third anime series Black Ghost offers a fake professional dancing career so they can kidnap her. She is the only female member of the team, 003 rarely fights though she will when needed and is often seen either directing the battle under Gilmore's guidance or caring for 001. She has enhanced vision and hearing, allowing her to see through walls and sense objects an enormous distance away; and is also an excellent pilot, tactician and a machine whiz. She was one of the 00 Cyborgs who were frozen until more advanced technology and procedures were developed; she's chronologically in her 50s, being 19 when captured."
I think for some reason Cotillard would look great as a blonde, and that she would do well playing a good guy for once (I know she technically wasn't a villain in "Inception", but still...and of course, her heel turn at the last minute in The Dark Knight Rises...).
Christoph Waltz as Cyborg 004/Albert Heinrich
"Albert was originally from East Germany. He and his fiancée Hilda attempted to escape to West Berlin in the guise of circus members. However, because Albert forgot to retrieve his forged identification from a guard, he panicked and sped off. The border guards opened fire on the truck, injuring Albert and killing Hilda in the process. Black Ghost agents arrived on the scene and lied that they would take Albert to a hospital. The extent of his injuries caused Heinrich to receive the most extensive cyborg modifications: the fingertips on his right hand conceal machine gun barrels, his left hand has razor-sharp edges, and he has missiles hidden in his knees. 004 often has a gruff exterior which belies his friendly personality and disgust with war, and he is also a skilled combat tactician. He was the last of the 00 Cyborgs who were frozen until more advanced technology and procedures were made and is chronologically the oldest of the group. In the 2001 series, upon waking up as a cyborg, Albert was stricken with despair and developed suicidal tendencies, aggravated by the side effects of his modifications which caused him additional physical pain and strain. This ultimately forced Black Ghost to halt the cyborg program for decades, and put the existing cyborgs in suspended animation until technology developed sufficiently to make future cyborg soldiers more stable."
I've only seen Waltz play a villain (in the forgettable Green Hornet), and did not see his turn as a hero (in Django Unchained), but felt that he could easily portray Albert with all those traits.
Eddie Spears as Cyborg 005/Geronimo Jr.
"Also called "G-Junior" for short, he was originally from an undisclosed part of the southwest United States (either Arizona or New Mexico). G-Junior is a Native American who was unable to find work because of widespread racism. At age 26, he was approached to be a Native American chief in a sideshow, but G-Junior simply punched the sideshow owner in the face, refusing to further the stereotypes about his culture. Black Ghost agents overheard the conversation and offered G-Junior a job far from home. G-Junior accepted, admitting that he really had no home anymore. (In the 2001 series he was a freelance construction worker bribed into accepting a very promising job offer by disguised Black Ghost agents). Geronimo was the first created when Black Ghost resumed its cyborg soldier program. Physically, he is the strongest as well as the biggest of the 00 Cyborgs; he also has heavily armored skin. However, he is also a silent man with a deep reverence for nature and life, and it's speculated that he may have a sort of sixth sense that allows him to sense changes in the nature and possibly other people's thoughts."
ager's use of him for his Giant-Size Origins: Forge fancast from a while back is what inspired this pick. Spears definitely has the height to match, so we're off to a good start there.
Ken Jeong as Cyborg 006/Chang Changku
"In the 2001 series, he owns a restaurant - explaining why he's such a good cook - but burns it down after doing a fire-breathing trick, then he loses everything else. Black Ghost agents pick him up when he faints. Chang's power allows him to breathe huge flames which he uses to create tunnels in the earth and attack enemies with underground explosions. He's a jovial fellow who is well-versed in the ways of cooking; his refined cuisine and happy personality always manage to bring his teammates back to good spirits."
Of course there is no way that 006 would look like that in a live-action film today, especially given our current relations with China, so for the most part, Jeong's take on him would be a bit more tame. Since he's one-half of the comedy relief in this film, I could see him stealing a few scenes here.
Russell Brand as Cyborg 007/"Great Britain"
"Great Britain, whose real name is unknown, was originally from the United Kingdom. He was once a famous and talented stage actor with a broad knowledge of famous shows but a weakness for Alcohol cause his downfall . In the 2001 TV series, Great Britain was in love with an actress named Sophie, who worked with him. Later he became more famous and gradually ignored his past love. One financial problem after another arose, and the once great thespian was reduced over time to the life of a penniless nobody who would do anything for a drink or a smoke. Black Ghost agents, noticing his plight, easily lured Great Britain into their vehicle with an alcoholic beverage. Later when he escapes with the other cyborgs he returns to the United Kingdom and finds out that his ex-girlfriend had a daughter, Rosa. With the possibility that she might be his child, Great Britain tries to talk to her but is unfortunately rejected and scorned for his past actions (Rosa believed him to have betrayed Sophie), to be redeemed only in the end when he replaces a main actor in Rosa's theatrical play and manages to befriend her. 007 has the incredible ability to reshape his cellular structure at will, allowing him to take form of any object, creature, or person he wishes. With his superb acting skills, he can also blend in with the enemy to use sneaky maneuvers and attacks. Great Britain is very lighthearted and is a very amiable guy to boot."
I felt that Brand would be qualified enough to play the other half of the comedy relief in this film, though he is one of those love-him-or-hate-him kind of comedic actors. Just picture him bald and shaved, and with CGI transformation bits.
Chiwetel Ejiofor as Cyborg 008/Pyunma
"In the 2001 series, Pyunma was a guerilla fighter who fought against the tyrant ruling his land along with his friends Kabore and Masmado, but was caught in the crossfire during a nocturnal fight, and then Black Ghost people kidnapped him. Pyunma, the only member of the team with real combat training, has mechanical lungs that allow him to survive for very long periods of time underwater. Pyunma is a serious fighter and decision-maker when the situation demands it."
Ejiofor sprung to mind immediately when I was thinking of 008's actor.
William Shatner as Dr. Isaac Gillmore
"The lead scientist in the 00 Cyborg program, Gilmore was a dutiful worker who hid a deep distrust for Black Ghost's plans. (In the 2001 series, he only begins to have serious misgivings about the time 005 is built - his superiors force him to install a lower-grade part, because it would lead to more revenue - and has a much less prominent role in creating the rest.) After the cybernetic enhancements for the first nine 00 Cyborgs were complete, he intentionally let himself be "taken hostage" by the cyborgs. Since then, he has been the team's adviser and father figure, not only helping to formulate the team's plans but also assisting them with the nuances of their new-found mechanical bodies."
I thought it was time Shatner got a prominent role in an action movie, and as the mentor of the team, I think he'd work fine. (I don't think he's played a scientist before, I could be wrong...)
Hugo Weaving as Black Ghost/Skull
"Skull is the tyrannical leader of an evil organization called the Black Ghost Organization (its main mission is to cause war between two global powers by dealing weapons). His true identity is not known because he wears a helmet, which looks like a skull, and an all-black suit (which appears to have what looks like ribs) followed by a red cape. His given name is, according to some sources, Skull."
Three guesses as to which Weaving role inspired this pick....In all honesty, Weaving would have a dynamite and sinister voice for the big kahuna of the Black Ghost organization.
And that's that! I highly recommend checking out the new take on the series from Archaia that's coming out, it certainly does look promising. As thanks for taking a look at this...ladies and gentlemen (I hope I don't regret this), STYX: