Remake OTD: Akira
VARIETY: WB takes franchise turn with 'Akira'Studio to adapt graphic novel
By MICHAEL FLEMING - Posted: Wed., Feb. 20, 2008, 12:59pm PT
Warner Bros. will turn anime artist Katsuhiro Otomo's six-volume graphic novel "Akira" into two live-action feature films, the first of which is being fast tracked for release in summer 2009. Legendary will co-finance with WB.
Each feature will be based on three of the books in Otomo's series. The story takes place in New Manhattan, a metropolis that was rebuilt after being destroyed 31 years earlier. Otomo will exec produce the films.
Graphic novel was first adapted for the bigscreen in 1988 as a popular animated film which Otomo directed.
Studio has closed a seven-figure rights acquisition deal with manga publisher Kodansha and has set Ruairi Robinson to direct a script by Gary Whitta ("Book of Eli"). Andrew Lazar's Mad Chance will produce with Appian Way's Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Davisson.
WB had the "Akira" rights several years ago only to let them lapse and then recapture them in a spirited bidding battle.
Robinson, an Irish helmer who has been Oscar nominated for his short film and commercials work, is making his feature debut.
The project was brought in by exec veep Greg Silverman, who has supervised "300" and "Batman Begins."
Lazar is producer on the WB comedy "Get Smart," and he's about to start production on the Jim Carrey starrer "I Love You Phillip Morris" for EuropaCorp.
Appian Way is producing the John Cusack starrer "The Factory" for WB and Dark Castle.
*************************************************************************************
This could be interesting, from a story perspective. The original is cool, but kind of degenerates into a lot of screaming and effects animation at the end. The challenge will be to clarify the story without damaging it. One of these days, I should try reading the entire graphic novel. I bought a lot of the re-laid out/re-colored version that Epic Comics did back in the day, but I don't know if they finished it.
Labels: akira, anime, article, comics to film, gary whitta, katsuhiro otomo, manga, remake, ruari robinson, variety, warner brothers
posted by Jeff Pidgeon at
5:31 PM
5 Comments:
Hopefully a live action Akira can be pulled off. I haven't seen Akira in a long time but I remember finding it very surreal.
I think a live-action Akira is possible, but it'd be an expensive undertaking - especially if you expand the amount of the novel that's adapted in the films.
I'd be pretty impressed by a faithful adaptation of Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind, animated or live action.
I like the animated version, but I get the impression that there's a lot more story in the manga.
I think Miyazaki was only about a quarter of the way through Nausicaa when he made the movie, hence the sheer amount of difference between the content of manga to movie. The spirit is still the same though. The only complaint I have about the movie is some of the dated music for the film's soundtrack.
You really should read the manga if you get a chance. I would have to agree with a reviewer from the Comics Journal that it is probably the greatest graphic novel EVER. An eco-fable with action and philosophy mixed together to make a moving piece of art.
Post a Comment
<< Home