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DiCaprio Excited About Anime Adaptations, Won't Star In Them
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Column by Scott Green
MTV's Splash Page blog recently spoke to Leonardo DiCaprio about the progress in his production company, Appian Way's live action adaptations of Akira and Ninja Scroll.
“We're waiting for the final draft of the script [for 'Akira'],” DiCaprio told MTV. “I’m a big fan of Japanese anime — that and another project called ‘Ninja Scroll’ we’re trying to get developed and made into a movie, and I know there a lot of loyal fans out there of the project and die-hard fans, so we’re going to try to do the best job we possibly can and we’re not going to make the movie until the script is in the right shape.”
While DiCaprio will be producing the films, when asked if he'd be interested in acting in either, DiCaprio responded “No, not really.”
Speaking of Akira...
Via mightygodking dot com
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First
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I win.
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I'm glad Leo isn't starring in these movies. Totally not suited for him.
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No, you don't win. You're a cunt. And a particularly stupid one at that.
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He aint Asian!
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Nov 10, 2008 3:51:56 PM CST
"I'm a big fan of Japanese anime"
by just another useless chump with a microp
As opposed to all that other kind of anime...oh well, at least he didn't calle it Japanimation.
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*call. Not calle. Not sure where that came from.
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That said, I enjoyed Ninja Scroll more than I did Akira.
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Tetsuo is called Travis in the script.
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And if so, why?
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Nov 10, 2008 4:05:19 PM CST
I personally can't fucking wait for both of these adaptations.
by dr sauch
And I'm disappointed that DiCaprio won't be starring in Akira. He'd be sick in that.
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Wow. So, I guess his love of anime (AKIRA) has its limits.
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Nov 10, 2008 4:18:18 PM CST
Surely he could star in one...
by i_am_not_the_droid_you_are_looking_for
and attempt a japanese accent, because accents are definitely his forte!
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The live action version of Akira, if it gets made, is going to be wacko. All that crazy, averting the end of the world shit at the end? That enormous city-smashing set piece alone will be worth the price of admission if it's directed right.
I wish Leonardo the best with this. -
Nov 10, 2008 4:28:08 PM CST
I personally can fucking wait for both of these adaptations.
by stereotypical evil archer
If I want to see them I'll just rent the DVD.
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It'd take some kind of miracle for these hollywood fat cats to get Akira right. Expect slick CGI and gimmicky action scenes based around telekinesis and pretty boy movie stars - rather then anything gritty and mindblowing like the original manga and anime is.
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Calling it "Japanese Anime" isn't the huge mistake you want it to be. I hate to break it to you, but there are other forms of Anime. Japanese anime is like saying Japanese animation. All animation in Japan is Anime, regardless of where it was produced.
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Is THE best anime and comic book ever, fuck it, BEST MOVIE AND BOOK EVER
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fuck Watchmen
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what the fuck is this? a remake of a film adaptation!?? FUCK YOU. if katsuhiro barely pulled his movie off, and he wrote the fucking manga, how the hell are these cats going to pull it off. fuck this shit. i loved the anime, just to clear that up, but the manga is just amazing.
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It would make sense why Dicaprio wouldn't be in Akira. They'd have to update the ages of the characters because he can't play a teenager anymore. I just hope the climax makes a little more sense this time around.
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that he "loves Japanese Anime" but has ZERO interest in starring in one? What does that tell you?
I'm not implying anything. I just find it interesting that he so quickly disregards the idea of him being in one of them.
He's obviously no "Otaku" or anything... -
What roles are there for a guy like DiCaprio in Akira? Kaneda's arc is something DiCaprio has done into the ground, no? Can Akira be more fun to act in than Gangs of New York? He's done there, been that.
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just wondering.
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In case no-one heard.
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In case no-one heard.
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!!shokushu goukan!!
!PRANTA RAPEU! -
Please hire Japanese casts for these movies. Hollywood has ruined several anime properties like Speed Racer, and threatened to ruin Space Cruiser Yamato aka Star Blazers and Sailor Moon. I hope your involvement in translating anime into live action films will be the beginning of a much needed change.--signed, Media Messiah
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They dont need a live action transformation! GOD IT MAKES ME SICK
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Sorry movies make you sick.
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Best live-action cartoon ever.
And I always thought anime was short for Japanese animation, and that only recently did they start using the term for Korean animation and their ilk. -
I know I should've liked him in his last couple Scorsese flicks, but I have even more respect for him. He's not afraid to have a geek interest, and even though he wants to make live action adaptations of popular anime films (which I'm on the fence about), he has the tact to not star in them. Or at least, the foresight.
By the way, I really liked Speed Racer. I liked it even more than any Disney film post "The Little Mermaid". -
One of the worst movies ever made!!!
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all star female kick ass cast. mmhmm And no American changes, aka lack of lesbians or violence.
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MichaelCorleone's right. In Japan they refer to anything animated as anime. I've even seen Finding Nemo labeled as anime.
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Studio execs are still in the mindset of casting everything as white if they can help it. And straying from that pattern is seen as a risk at best. So they're unlikely to takte that risk with a $150 million picture.
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Nov 10, 2008 7:08:18 PM CST
Assimilation of foreign achievement for popular consumption.
by könig lear
How necessary.
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And I'd MUCH rather see an amazing live action Nausicaa (yes, that's Miyazaki) that draws from the manga. Can't imagine who could do it right or under what circumstances, but I can still imagine it and dream, right?
No one, of course, wants to see a BAD adaptation and that's mostly what we get in the geek waters, which is too bad
I also think Robotech is a more interesting property than either of these (and are already butchery of the originals so less to offend I guess. lol)
Speed Racer needed to focus on a primary audience and pick up the overall pace, BUT I don't really understand how any fan of the original speed racer series could say they don't like the new movie. Not unless nothing could ever satisfy them, ever. ;)
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Nov 10, 2008 7:21:31 PM CST
the one thing I wouldn't mind seeing DiCaprio's name attached to
by staldo
the man who just a few years ago looked like a living anime character isn't interested in starring in an adaptation? . Tell me there aren't hundreds of anime characters that stare into space with their brows furrowed and act ridiculously tough despite having spaghetti arms. DiCaprio was BORN to be in one of these things, voice and all. Do it, man, don't miss your window. Drop that pretentious "method actor" fatness and embrace the toonage. It should have been stipulated that he would be in them when they sold the rights.
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seriously....how cool to have Joseph Gordon Levitt as Tetsuo and DiCaprio as Kaneda.
Their real lives almost mimic the characters. DiCaprio, the well established, leader of the pack in the acting world...while JGL is out proving himself worthy to follow in his footsteps...which he is doing in leaps and bounds i might add. They were born for these parts.
C'mon Leo BE KANEDA!!!!!!!!!! -
so you don't count ;)
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What's the obsession of turning animation into live action? Just watch the anime...it's anime because the art style is half of the art form. It's like trying to turn a poem into a novel or something...enjoy the genre the story is told in and leave it alone! The medium itself is what makes anime so good anyway...the style.
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and it's way too epic for a movie. If Otomo couldn't do it, no one can.
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as older looking teens, thats fine. The underlying "f authority" was perfect for the ages of the characters in akira, however they played "older", and as such, delt with adult problems. Rape, hardcore violence, and conciousless agression. IF they cast kids like they cast the new star trek, that will be a mistake. Tweeners dont belong in this movie. And that American Akira clip up there was great.
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I mean, come on, they can do some great things with makeup to make him look younger.
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Don't get that. Maybe he just likes the money he'll get from slapping his name on it for a producers credit more. I like DiCaprio as an actor anyway, so it'd be cool to see him in one.
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it's based on all of the Manga which is longer than the anime movie and gets a proper Peter Jackson-LOTR style effort with multiple films being made at the same time. I've wanted to see Cate Blanchett as Kushana for a while now too. Really surprised DiCaprio isn't starring as Kaneda (always thought he'd play Tetsuo really, sorry they've all missed the boat on that one). My interest is once more in doubt now.
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I like Leo, but not in these adaptations. Glad to see he has a passion for them. Hope it translates to quality films.
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The films submitted as potential animated feature Oscar nominees include "Bolt," "Delgo," "Dragon Hunters," "Fly Me to the Moon," "Igor," "Kung Fu Panda," "Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa," "$9.99," "The Sky Crawlers," "Sword of the Stranger," "The Tale of Despereaux," "Waltz With Bashir" "WALL-E" and "Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears a Who!"
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I've not seen all of those films listed but Wall-E is arguably Pixar's finest work. Are any of the others in its league?
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Anime AICN is...
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Leo plans to adapt the manga version of Akira. And it'll either be two or 3 films, maybe 2 films 3 books each or three films 2 books each or something. If that's so and they're 100% faithful to the events in teh manga then you ain't seen nothing yet. It'll make the anime look tame by comparison! The manga is even crazier than the anime which granted tried to fit everything into one film. Anyway they're going to need one hell of a budget to do this so I'm really wondering how Leo plans to pull this off... or if he'll even manage to convince the studios to make a trilogy or 2 movie deal out of this. And news about him getting Ninja Scroll is news to me. I assumed the Wachowski Bros had that when they wrote 'ninja assassins.' Ah well... The Wachowskis proved Speed Racer can be fantastic with a white cast, so if Leo's plans of having Neo Tokyo be Distopian NY rebuilt using Japanese money and their cultural aesthetics, it could work... But Ninja Scroll has no choice but to be set in Japan, but given that even Western audiences expect samurai movies to star asian people that this won't be a problem for studios. I can respect an understand Leo's motivation not to star in something he produces, but seeing as how they were going to westernize the cast of Akira I was growing warm to the idea of him being Kanneda... he really could look it. And I thnik Akira needs a young cast as teh characters are young. But they should be portrayed exactly like in the anime/manga and nto some bullshit hip American kids with cellphones, but as poor orphaned hardened profane violent motorcycle thugs that can act goofy while meaning serious business if you fuck with them.
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Camerons Battle Angel.
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...the series is written and produced by someone who understands the source materials and can be faithful to the original without massive domestication.
Meh, as an anime blogger, I'll keep an eye open just to see how things go, but frankly, I haven't been impressed with adaptations of late. -
...WB aren't really acting like twats if they're willing to make more of these. Now when are they announcing "Death Note"? (I bet you guys a cookie they have Jesse McCartney as Light...)
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They always do. And I certainly wouldn't trust Leonardo DiCaprio with these properties.
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It's a shame really that when anyone suggests doing a remake or revisualisation of work done before, it seems necessary for the famous person to throw a piece of meat to the "FANS" with the usual "I'm a fan of the work and we don't intend to rape anyones childhood etc, etc" just to keep them satisfied and occupied long enough with those knives they've been sharpening. We are a scary lot.
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Direct to VHS. Yes, VHS. In 2010. So no one can see it.
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And is Ninja Scroll going to be in Japanese with an all Japanese cast?
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Please veritasses- "is Ninja Scroll going to be in Japanese with an all Japanese cast?"- you honestly think there is a market for that-Eastwood tried and it failed (Letters from Iwo Jima- how many people saw that?)
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DiCaprio might be thinking smaller scale but authentic and looking to collaborate with production companies in Japan where they regularly make period action movies on small budgets. I think a Japanese film boosted by modest financing and possibly even an American director would be pretty profitable particularly on the licensing/back end deals (depending on what DiCaprio actually owns). Or maybe he wants to make a big budget Hollywood flick filled with special effects and big name action stars. For a property like Ninja Scroll, I don't think this is the right approach (artistically or financially) but who knows? How profitable a movie is depends on a lot of factors. But to give some perspective, you should know that Letters from Iwo Jima was pretty cheap to make (about $13M if I remember correctly and much cheaper than "Flags of our Fathers") and profitable. Clearly, you would get a very, very different movie 1. if the actors are Japanese and 2. if the movie is in Japanese. And since DiCaprio wants to make a good film that will please the (world wide) fans I was curious what his approach is going to be.
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It'll an english language film that will feature a cast of english speaking asians. Think 'Memoirs of a Geisha.' Even American audiences will expect to see asian people in a samurai movie. So it'll be set in Japan and most likely have some well known Chinese actors/actresses playing Japanese people unless they actually find some Japanese actors/actresses who can speak English fluently. But given the nature of Ninja Scroll, I wouldn't be surprised to see a multicultural cast, particularly for some of the 8 Devils of Kimon which could resonably include foreigners.
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is that Leo wants to expose a wider audience to these properties, something that would not happen with an all Japanese, Japanese language property... personally I long for the days of the NBC miniseries, I'd love to see these done ala James Clavell's Shogun
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From LatinoReview.com: "...In probably the most significant change and the only one that really bugged me, the events of this version are shifted from Tokyo to New York – but after the city is destroyed and the United States’ economy collapses, burgeoning superpower Japan buys the devastated island to construct a new city to house their ever expanding population. So the film will still technically be set in New Tokyo, but on the island of Manhattan, and with about half the characters being American and the rest remaining Japanese. It’s a somewhat odd way of appealing to American audiences and fans alike, and feels somewhat awkward, but does allow for some up to date political commentary...." Hey, I've got an idea, why don't you just set it in "New Tokyo?" Why, that's just how it is in the beloved books that you're adapting so lovingly? OK, never mind, I don't wanna hear it.
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Akira does draw from the manga version a bit and is as faithful an adaptation as possible with the location change and with american characters instead of Japanese ones.
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I think that approach will definitely be the most "commercial" and will have the least resistance to getting the movie funded (not to mention more dollars in the funding). I think I would pitch it as "Yojimbo vs ninjas" and maybe emphasize the samurai as superhero angle to the investors (to ride on the coat tails of movies like TDK). I'm not necessarily against other asians playing Japanese roles but in this particular case I think a much better movie would be made with an all Japanese cast speaking Japanese. This might decrease the probabilities of a large domestic box office but it has a better chance of being a far superior movie and might make more money on the back end. To illustrate my point better, imagine they remade Yojimbo (or some other Japanese period classic) in English with Stephen Chow, Chow Yun Fat or Jet Li in the title role vs the movie made entirely in Japanese with Sonny Chiba (the sword master from Kill Bill) or Ken Watanabe (Katsumoto from the Last Samurai). Both might end up being very good movies but the results would be very different and I would argue the movie would likely be far better with the Japanese cast. There are cultural elements and acting beats that are simply going to be missed with a foreign cast, especially because it's a period piece. One way to compare the difference might be to see the English language and Japanese languaage versions of an anime side by side. Since it's an anime, it's obviously not affected by the physical performance of actors but you should be able to tell the difference in the emphasis and beats of the voice acting. Memoirs of a Geisha might be a better example. I think that movie suffered considerably because it went for the commercial approach. Conversely, a movie like The Last Samurai was aided in large part by the Japanese cast. And it goes without saying that all the Wuxia movies work because they're in Chinese with a Chinese cast etc. Nnja Scroll is a bit unique as an anime property. It's one of the rare anime films (like Akira) seen by a large number of people who don't normally follow anime and has a very large cult following all over the world (from what I gather, anime is much bigger in Europe). The people who aren't interested in samurai/ninja movies probably aren't going to see it (though I think some changes to the over all story might make it appealing to the general audience the way Crouching Tiger was... which I believe made over $100M US). But the people who are familiar the anime or the people who like action movies are going to appreciate the authenticity of the actors and the movie. I hope this made sense...
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First, please read my post to Johnno above. I completely agree that an all Japanese cast speaking Japanese would significantly decrease the chance of it being a box office hit. Realty is what it is and most people don't like foreign language films. But I believe Crouching Tiger made over $100m in the US so it's not impossible... It's also worth noting that NS doesn't have to cost all that much. Plus, NS has a pretty simple, "universal" story and strong merchandising possibilities that didn't exist for Crouching Tiger and (assuming it's a good movie) will probably do better in the long run because of the straight forward story and pre-existing (and constantly growing) cult audience.I think DiCaprio's motives are great. But I think an English language, foreign cast NS is the wrong way to go about achieving his goal. Akira, sure. I think Akira might work well in English with a non-Japanese cast. But for the reaons I mention in my post to Johnno, I think NS needs to stay Japanese. That being said, I don't think NS would "work" as a straight adaptation. They can keep the basic premise but a good writer would have to rework the character arcs and relationships to make it a strong commercial film. If I had my say, I'd also have a "Hollywood" director like Ridley Scott direct.Shogun was a remarkable achievement especially considering when it was made. Coincidentally, if I remember correctly, it had a good but brief scene with ninjas.
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A big budget nausica trilogy given Peter Jackson treatment would be king. I've been a fan of that one since I saw the butchered "warriors of the wind" version when I was 5. The un-messed with version is startlingly good and distinctly 80's. Even the giant bugs are beautiful and graceful. Get one of the Dakotas (Fanning or Richards) to star in it before they get too old.
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Nov 12, 2008 1:56:03 AM CST
Just because Dicaprio claims to be a big fan of anime ...
by grooveraider
don't mean a damn thing. The same was said on Michael Bay's dreadful Transformers flick. I'll believe it when I see it.
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Nov 12, 2008 10:11:45 AM CST
FUCK HIM, and all you dumb Execs who think changing characters a
by fisheater
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Sorry but theres a point to be made
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to properly steal the right elements from particular genres. Get him to do it
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