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.

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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.

Toy OTD: Cominica Japan Metropolis Maquette: Tima

I'm not a big fan of the film version of Tezuka's Metropolis manga - I thought technically it was amazing, but the story was weak. Still, director Ritnaro kept the essence of the Tezuka character designs, so the merchandise is still very cool!

Here's a resin staute of the main character Tima, the robot around which much of the story revolves. It's an appealing design, and the sculpt and paint work is quite nice. I do remember some fragility issues - originally I had wanted to buy a statue of Kenichi, but the figure came off the base too easily, or there was some damage to it that I hadn't noticed in the display case. If you can, be sure to check an item in this line carefully before purchasing!

The figure is 18 cm tall, and is from an edition of 1500 pieces. You can get one from kibidango.ch (for 49.90 CHF Switzerland Francs or 41.88 USD) if you can read German. I bought mine from Things From Another World, but I don't see it listed on their website.