Cool News
Keanu. AKIRA??
Merrick here...
We've been hearing all kindsa talk about who might take the lead roles in Albert Hughes' live action adaptation of AKIRA - the hero Kaneda, and his psychically troubled friend Tetsuo. Pretty much anyone and everyone you'd expect has been in the mix either officially or via rumors, and a few you wouldn't expect.
Via THIS piece at THR, that Warners may be closing in on finally casting Kaneda. Please keep in mind this does not represent official, or even probable casting - but it's an interesting possibility all the same.
From THR...
Now comes word that Reeves has held talks with the studio, with whom he already made the massively successful Matrix movies, for the part of Kaneda, the gang leader. Reeves doesn't yet have an offer for the role, but we hear the talks with his reps have been going well.
Reeves anchoring the project could serve as a strong lure for another A-lister to take the role of Tetsuo, the best friend.
Kaneda's awesome - it has moose, and hockey, and bacon...William Shatner's from there, and it's so cool that every planet in the STARGATE televisionverse looks just like it.
--- follow Merrick on Twitter ! ---
Readers Talkback
comments powered by Disqus-
+ Expand All
-
Akira was cool because it was pretty to see animated. The story won't translate to film and it'll bomb.
-
Keanu is 47 years old, this idea makes no sense at all. The role is for a teenager and at the very best, someone who is a young rebel that leads a group of young punks. This age thing makes no sense, he's also a pretty mediocre actor. Give him a role as one of the actual adult characters or something.
-
May 6, 2011, 1:38 p.m. CST
Side note...great headline Merrick. Only two words yet you know what it's about right away before you click; well done.
by darthderp
-
Fucking done.
-
They used green screen and stuff, jerk. Anyway, isn't Kaneda a teenager?
-
THERE'S your Bill and Ted part 3!!
-
Kaneda's cullinary contribution that doesn't involve maple syrop: French fries with gravy and cheese. Mmmm Mmmm. And it still has a lower obesity rate than the USA. Go figure. Re: Keanu - I have no hate for the man. He's picked the wrong roles on occasion (I'm looking at you, Bram Stoker's Dracula) but he's done great in some roles. But they'll have to make some pretty serious re-writes to have him fit into Akira. Again, its the age thing. And, hey...isn't Keanu from the great white north too?
-
May 6, 2011, 1:42 p.m. CST
Kaneda and Tetsuo's Bogus Live Action Akira Adventure.
by WriteForTheEdit
I'm warming to this.
-
And the old general dude will be Freddie Highmore.
-
May 6, 2011, 1:45 p.m. CST
Kaneda and Tetsuo's Bogus Live-Action Akira Adventure.
by WriteForTheEdit
I'm warming to this.
-
Totally right. He is awesome as fuck and would be sweet in Akira.
-
!!!FACT!!!
-
Iron Maiden? EXCELLENT!
-
Are they gonna have Paul Walker play Tetsuo?
-
May 6, 2011, 1:54 p.m. CST
Keanu as Kaneda? I can actually see that. I'm more curious who would be cast as Kay though
by ahdvd
If they would try and get an a-lister or go with an unknown
-
...it would still show more guts and imagination to go young. Can't any stories be told with actual children anymore? That's a big part of what makes the original so affecting. If it's just a bunch of adults, there's less to be empathetic about. Think of all the classic fantasy stories we saw on screen back in the 80s which starred actual children. Sure, as a kid, I also wanted to see grown-up action heroes like I saw in the comics. But the kid-starred fantasy films made a big impression.
-
... If the setting is moved from Tokyo to New York. It then becomes an American remake.
-
I hate when they recast remakes with actors who are younger than their predecessors to appeal to the audience but in this case it's absolutely neccessary. Like Angelina in Lara Croft, yes she was impressive for what she brought to the role but she was far too old.
-
May 6, 2011, 2 p.m. CST
Usually studios have the reverse problem with inappropriate ages for actors
by rev_skarekroe
They want to cast a 20 year old for a role that requires a 35 year old. This is weird. Might as well get Bruce Willis to play Tetsuo.
-
If they're going to do this, it won't be cheap. And they're going to need some SERIOUS A-list talent to make sure people go see this, because the Casual Moviegoer, I guarantee you, will know very little about what this story is. Quick, name one A-List child actor, other than maybe Jaden Smith; the filmmakers will need more than one name. Go ahead, I'll wait..... You see my point?
-
What the fuck? What next, is he gonna play Batou in Ghost in the Shell?
-
Do I have to think of everything?
-
May 6, 2011, 2:16 p.m. CST
Close...but Radcliffe isn't a kid anymore...AKIRA characters are in their teens, aren't they?
by darthderp
-
How about casting Hellen Mirren instead? Make about as much sense. She'd be a great Kaneda.
-
Just someone who could play a teenager.
-
May 6, 2011, 2:20 p.m. CST
Good point, skarekroe...I should have clarified originally; I was responding to kevred
by darthderp
Still, good point.
-
Not even in his Bill and Ted days was Keanu young enough to play him.
-
Keanu is too old, he hasn't had a major hit in a while and is more 'B' than 'A' movie these days. He lights very nicely though. I'm surprised Shia hasn't been mentioned yet.
-
Better choice, weaker name. Unless you cast Radcliffe as Tetsuo... Yeah, that'll actually work. So there you have it. Kanada (or "Kenny"): Nicholas Hoult. Tetsuo (or "Timmy"): Daniel Radcliffe. That was actually easy. Next?
-
...is where this needs to stay :-)
-
Borring.
-
Those fucking pantywaist producers in H-wood these days couldn't make an edgy, intense, sci-fi actioner if you yanked their dicks off and stuffed them down their fucking throats. Valenti's inheritors have insured that nothing that might make your grandmother confused or uncomfortable will ever be produced again. Hollywood is FUCKING DEAD! Cashed in, checked out. Fuck 'em.
-
But as rev_skarekroe said, they at least can play younger. And their version of the characters would be 17-18. Hollywood will not go for a 15 year old Kanada.
-
I actually like Keanu, I think he's a better actor than people give him credit for, but this is totally wrong. MAYBE 15 years ago. For christ's sake, Kaneda is a teenager. This isn't even close. And I don't want to be this guy, but they *could* look at some Japanese actors. Spike Spiegel, however, could absolutely be done by Keanu.
-
So I guess you're just totally scraping the Manga, and going with an Old Biker gang as opposed to a young biker gang. I'm not sure where they're going with this casting. I'm utterly confused. And it goes with the other names I'm been hearing from this project.
-
The main characters of Akira are teenagers in Japan. So they cast an adult in the U.S.?
-
Why do you hate us, Hollywood? Why do you do these horrible things to us?
-
no, just no.
-
hope this just stays a rumor.
-
http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=77280 AND ITS A POOL. fuck yeaaa
-
since The Matrix was a shitty re-imaging of Ghost in the Machine. Just don't call it Akira and make it a western adaptation of Akira and be done with it. Also, this will suck balls.
-
I also just don't see Akira working in live action. Same with other anime classics like Ghost in the Shell and Vampire Hunter D. Leave them alone Hollywood. Is is too much to ask that we get a freaking original movie maybe once a year?
-
That pea-brain!
-
May 6, 2011, 3:13 p.m. CST
Keanu will be turning 43 this year - he's way too old for this
by Andy Pandy
-
Burn it to the ground no matter where in the world. Fuck Hollywood. Burn.
-
May 6, 2011, 3:14 p.m. CST
Also, there's no need to whitewash this -- and I'm saying this as a white guy
by Andy Pandy
will it take place in Neo-Los Angeles instead of Neo-Tokyo?? Why would white guys have Japanese names? this is going to suck hard! Stick to the source material.
-
Akira was not a well-written movie. In fact, the story is pretty stupid and doesn't make much sense. The characters really aren't memorable either. What makes Akira a classic is the intense, vivid, beautiful animation. None of the qualities that made Akira great will transfer to a live-action remake. Hollywood is run by morons.
-
I mean really... They can't find any emo Japanese kids to play these roles?
-
Possibly the worst casting suggestion in the history of casting suggestions?
-
What makes the age of the characters so important to the CONCEPT of Akira? Keanu's fine. New York's fine. There are definitely ways for this to not suck.
-
... Because it had to be said.
-
That's some of the most ignorant, misguided casting I've ever heard! Almost as misguided as the existence of this entire project!! Ya know what would actually be kind of interesting, if they absolutely must make a live action AKIRA? If they used actors who were high-school age. I'd pay to see Kodi Smit-McPhee as Kaneda in a fucking heartbeat just to see what the hell that movie would be like. However it'd turn out (and for the record I don't think there's any way to make a live-action Akira good), it'd be a lot more intense than whatever by-the-numbers drivel we're guaranteed if its star is Keanu. They'd never do that, though, so what about Joseph Gordon-Levitt? His name's gotta be kicking around this thing. Haha, now that I think of it, JGL as Kaneda and Cillian Murphy as Tetsuo could be kinda sweet... with Nolan directing, obviously... ...shit, I think I just came up with a way this movie could actually work!
-
Oh, ya know-- some people think since the original comic and movie were about a new generation's relationship to the nuclear age, it just makes sense to have the characters be mostly young and have the movie take place in Japan since that's the only place that's ever had atomic bombs dropped on it. But you're right, completely draining it of all its original significance could totally work!
-
But I am still hoping they go with Justin Timberlake.
-
... But he's way too old to be playing the leader of a bunch of school kids on bikes. How is it going to look during the scene the school teachers give them a bollocking with a 40+ man playing a kid? Sure they could alter the script, but why mess with the fundamentals instead of casting someone younger?
-
I agree with the point you're making. I wasn't asking why they couldn't do it - it's the same reason for everything good that's not done in Hollywood, which is filthy lucre - I was just lamenting that they won't. Fantasy stories shouldn't even need superstar talent. Unless the makers of Akira think they know something that the makers of Star Wars, LOTR, Harry Potter, Alien(s), Spider-Man, Terminator, etc., don't. With films like this, the story and spectacle make the stars, not the other way around. Hanging something like this on an A-list name turns it into a novelty. Again - I get the avaricious reality. Just lamenting.
-
Love Keanu, but love Akira too. This is a bigger mistake than 'TDTESS.' Well as long as it's not Shia...
-
God, this reeks of stupid, this entire adaptation...Keanu leader of a biker gang??? lmfao...sorry, Hughes Brother will whitewash and mediocre this into oblivion. There is already an extremely negative script review online, guy tears the script to shreds.
-
"How Did It Get Burned?"
-
CGI the Clowns played by Emmanuel Lewis. Have them all the same just like in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory! I'd pay big bucks for this.
-
May 6, 2011, 4:30 p.m. CST
He's cast in The Hunger Games, so my suggestion of
by openthepodbaydoorshal
Josh Hutcherson, though still valid (hey, he's still actually a teenager), would be impossible.
-
I mean Kaneda is a Nihon-jin. Do it right for once Hollywood. This film will fail. The studios have lost contact with the outside world.
-
Daniel Radcliffe as Kaneda Anton Yelchin as Tetsuo Saoirse Ronan as Kei Chloë Moretz as Kaori Jacob Kogan as Akira
-
These horrible fucking casting agents need to stop. If they can't do it right, fucking find someone who can, because this shit is goddamn ridiculous. For the love of all that is sacred, just stop.
-
I think we can agree that by even considering an American remake of 'Akira', we're talking about what's going to be a very loose adaptation of the source material. It would be nice to believe that a multi-million dollar US production would focus on the themes of the original manga in a Japanese setting but it's just not realistic. What I think will translate AND justify the risk of tossing millions into making this movie is the basic concept of meddling with forces beyond our understanding and the battle between us--typified by either tennage Kaneda or forty-something Keanu, whoever--and our misguided leaders who by their own hubris threaten to do us all in. Although if they do end up having a character in it named 'Akira' who is not Japanese, I will freak out.
-
May 6, 2011, 4:57 p.m. CST
keanu may be too old but...what if they did an animated version?
by nametaken
then it would only be his voice. otherwise go with Darth_tarantino's idea of reusing the harry potter cast.
-
May 6, 2011, 4:59 p.m. CST
Cowboy Bebop will hit the screens before this fucked up idea
by conspiracy
And fucking excuse me...Keanu is the same age I am...and I'll tell you right the fuck now, I ain't gonna pass for a 15yr old Japanese kid. In fact...I ain't passing for a Japanese at any age...cuz I'm NOT fucking Japanese.
-
FUCK THIS IDEA. FUCK THIS STUPID CUNT OF AN IDEA FOR A FUCKING MOVIE. SERIOUSLY HOLLYWOOD, FIRE THESE FUCKING PEOPLE.
-
I only included one member of the Harry Potter cast! Shame on you :P
-
I mean they don't have to cast real teenagers, but Reeves is too old!
-
They're never going to cast a bunch of teenage actors from Japan and actually do this properly. That's what I'd like but it's not going to happen, let's be realistic. So a Westernised version of the story would be fine if they cast actors between the ages of 15 and 25. That would still be a young cast, hence the names I suggested in my previous post. You'd have to change the names and the locations and simply say that it's inspired by Akira.
-
May 6, 2011, 5:14 p.m. CST
THe whole Akira crew are KIDS....teenagers. It's really important to the movie
by mistergreen
please keep that.
-
Otherwise, he's too old and there's no large audience for it anymore. If they want to make money on it, they need to hire a younger cast, make sure they all have dreamy eyes, and are outfitted in the latest clothes from Kim Kardashian, or whatever. I hate today's pop culture.
-
Casting him as Kaneda makes no fucking sense unless they're completely abandoning the plot of the original.
-
I can cope with that age, but nothing older. The reason I don't want them to actually be 15/16 year olds is because this is a biker gang. In the real world, do you see kids who haven't even had a license rolling around on crotchrockets? I don't even think it is legal to get a motorcycle license until you are 18. I'm not sure. But moving up their age a little bit works for me, but don't get the actors too old looking. Cillian Murphy could be a great actor who succumbs to Tetsuo's pains, but I think he just gets above the looking age for the part. After X-Men First Class rakes in a bunch of dough, they'll probably snag some of them. JAMES MCCAVOY and NICHOULAS HOULT They're probably going to give great performances in Xmen and I wouldn't mind them taking the parts in Akira.
-
Nobody will be forcing you to see it. Just be happy we have the original. Let this steaming pile of shit fester . . .
-
thank fuck! if it did though maybe keanu could do his johnathon harker accent again, just for shits n giggles?
-
Fuck anime.
-
actually casting an Asian for one of these roles? Oh wait, this is Hollywood we're talking about.
-
..I always pictured John Travolta playing Kaneda.
-
Hollywood should use proven talent then, like: Sung Kang(Fast Five) and Jay Chou(Green Hornet) Since they are ditching the whole young age thing anyhow, might as well go with these guys.
-
What don't the filmmakers understand about this very simple concept (cut and paste from wiki): </p> "Thematically the work centers on the nature of youth to rebel against authority, control methods, community building and the transformation experienced in adolescent passage." </p> Failing to grasp that you're just gonna end up with a film about a bunch of men past their prime riding around on motorcycles blowin' shit up. </p> These idiots have no business developing this property.
-
I mean, he's just about dog food anyway....
-
I want it to flop so hard, and casting Keanu would make this happen. I expect a flop of Street Fighter the movie proportions.
-
Please, how about Nick Cage as Tetsuo? Make it happen Hollywood!
-
every manga and anime the main character is 15, seems to be the magic age in Japanese stories. Doesn't have to be that way though, I actually would prefer and higher age as I would find it completely unbelievable a 15 year old could handle this kinda situation or be part of some ruthless biker gang. 18 to 24 should be the age if they go young, 25-40 for older, and Keanu still looks like he's in his late 30's
-
May 6, 2011, 7:39 p.m. CST
I'm surprised no Japanese studio has tried a live action version of this
by alienindisguise
Strikes me as kinda odd that the country of origin wouldn't give it a go.
-
get Akira you will get something entirely different.So my dear studio exec dont rape this oriental masterpiece because of its pop culture status and its potential for some serious cash,please do try to make your own all american Akira work of art.
-
I MEAN WHAt the fuck man. ALBERT HUGHES ARE YOU shitting me!? Keanu Reeves? really? my interest level for this project at this point is zero. WHY would you do such horrible casting and director's choice. get kids man or teenagers and make it an intimate story that just happens to be surrounded by a GIANT SCALE setting. this will blow.
-
May 6, 2011, 7:56 p.m. CST
IMAGINE WATCHING "KIDS", "BRICK", "Y TU MAMA TAMBIEN" or "ELEPHANT" AND SUDDENLY
by LUIS
IN THE MIDDLE OF IT AKIRA HAPPENS I MEAN I WOULD BE BLOWN THE FUCK AWAY.
-
May 6, 2011, 7:58 p.m. CST
OR "THE WARRIORS" IMAGINE THAT SHIT THE WARRIORS WITH AKIRA IN THE MIDDLE OF IT ALL
by LUIS
-
The desert with the white sand planet on SGU looks a helluva lot like New Mexico. White Sands, NM to be exact. Also known as Quatar, the Middle East in Transformers. As opposed to Quatar, South America, I guess... Look. Michael Bay felt he needed to be specific. That should be enough for you.
-
feels totally wrong
-
did that project just die?
-
I still have the complete set of Epic Comic's colorized translation of Otomo's epic manga. It remains a work that has influenced my writing in so many ways I can't even calculate.<br /> <br /> The biker characters in the manga and anime were all teenagers. For this casting to work, they'll have to change the story where the gang is more of a sci-fi style Sons of Anarchy. <br /> <br /> I hope they give Joker a bigger role than he had in the movie. I love how he shows up again in the fifth volume of the manga.
-
I like that this reboot is taking great strides in making a real Spider-Man film!
-
I mean...why make decisions like this that are CLEARLY not in any way faithful to the source material? I mean...I just...when are the people in charge gonna ever give two shits about properties that they maybe don't really get? If you don't get it...hire someone that does. I PROMISE you, better movies are made when someone gets it, and believe it or not, audiences DO respond well to good movies.
-
Just no, Hollywood fuck off from Akira if you can't even half do the casting right. Keanu is bad ass but not for this. Speed 3 is like way over due... How about a train the size of the Chrysler Building losing control. It has dangerous chemicals on it and it's headed for a populated area. Then he can team up with an older black guy getting pushed out of his job for some young guy from the Star Trek reboot and... Wait I think that movie already exists. Never mind Speed 3 is a bad idea.
-
Keanu? That can't be right. He's gotta be up for something else. They should just get real teens, make them all unknown actors, not stars, and save all of the older parts for the big guns: Bruce Willis as the Colonel, for one. I don't think this will end up being any good, but I hope I'm wrong...
-
Keanu Reeves is too old this part and making a live action movie based on an anime is not a cool idea. AKIRA is some kind of masterpiece and I doubt they can translate it. Almost impossible.
-
Such a stupid fucking unimaginative idea! Fucking Keanu is almost 50 fucking years old! Give me a fucking break! What was the last successful movie this no-talent fuck ever made? Hey, maybe he can use the cool, sophisticated English accent he learned for Dracula! Yeah, what a brilliant fucking actor he is! Whoa!
-
Not gonna get into the Keanu thing at all ... Honest. Fuck it! The guy can't act. No. No he can't. If you think he can, you're wrong. End of. As to the Akira movie? You have got to be shitting me!? A remake of Akira with older WHITE actors? No. No. No. No. No. If it's not set in Japan with asian actors, then either a. Don't bother or b. Don't call it Akira. End of line.
-
May 7, 2011, 3:43 a.m. CST
HE'S WAY TOO FUCKING OLD MORONS!! AND HE'S A CRAP ACTOR TO BOOT.
by Ecto-1
-
When I first read that Reeves was being courted, I assumed that he'd be playing The Colonel or Ryu. He'd make a good Ryu.
-
May 7, 2011, 5:36 a.m. CST
I hate how race is still an issue with regards to what sells tickets.
by theyreflockingthisway
This is the 21st century - I think it's wrong for studios to assume people wont watch the film because the majority of the cast are of a different race to the audience. I'm probably the whitest person in history, but I would only be interested in seeing this if it had asian actors and was set in Japan. It just makes the western world look like a bunch of racists if we can't enjoy a film because the cast don't look exactly like us. Akira is probably one of the best examples of Japanese Cyber Punk - bringing it to the west would absolutely annihilate that. The imagry in the anime is based heavily on Japanese culture. I think a live action Akira can definately work - but give us more credit, Hollywood. Break down some barriers and try and produce a successful sci-fi blockbuster with an Asian cast. If you fail, at least you wont look like bigots.
-
There are two problems i see with a remake: 1. The original setting: 80`s style post-apocalyptic world. Remake: Current future style with blueish ipad/minority/resident-evil/equilibrium/aeonflux style? NOOOO!!!! It must be 80's style... neon, dark, dirty - Bladerunner / Escape from L.A. / SHADOWRUN I have to notice that i really like the AVATAR Earth Future settings. neon, dark, dirty. OK 2. The original cast: 80's teens punk style! Remake: Everything but not these oldschool stuff. NOOOO!!! What do you think?
-
Hollywood has made so many monumentally bad decisions in the last ten years that casting a 40+ year old semi-Caucasian actor as what was originally a 15-year-old Japanese boy may be the easiest part of the AKIRA remake to sit through.</p><p> In case you don't believe, check this tidbit out: (cracked.com/blog/5-urgent-questions-about-live-action-akira-remake/) or, more importantly, this one: (cracked.com/blog/the-actual-live-action-akira-script-worse-than-you-think/). Sorry, gang.
-
Same old Hollywood shit. Cast an actor because they will draw, not because they are right for the part.
-
May 7, 2011, 10:19 a.m. CST
Keanu Is A Questionable Casting Choice In Any Movie...?
by frakthetoasters
...but as a Japanese science fiction character??? And then people will expect him to act? And the action will remind folks of THE MATRIX? Bad idea.
-
is better described as cyberpunk - and it's not something that has been left behind in the '80's. Cyberpunk is plentiful today, especially in anime, and the blueish ipad style is just some other vision of the future - no idea what they call that. I would only worry about the future style not having enough of a Japanese influence to it rather than if it's gritty enough. Of course, if they do go for a non-cyberpunk style then they will have totally missed the point, but lets not jump to those conclusions yet. All we know at the moment is the casting and location ideas and they're as way off as anything can be so we have enough to be worried about for now.
-
May 7, 2011, 11:54 a.m. CST
thanks armageddonproduction for posting that script review...
by animatronicmojo
So Kaneda and Tetsuo are now not only Americans but brothers in their mid-30's? I love it! Now we can completely accept this project as Akira-in-name-only and get on to enjoying it as incredibly bad cinema in the making. Gosh, maybe Nick Cage would be the perfect dude to play Tetsuo. Wouldn't you just love to see him and Bill Shatner as Kaneda bouncing off each other? This could be that howling Battlefield Earth turkey of epic proportions that A.O. Scott was yearning for in his Thor review. I also love how they actually think they are going to make more than one of these, too. ROTFLOL!!!
-
Akira would be adapted to the small screen as a OVA, 26 episodes that run about 25 minutes each. I really hope that happens in my lifetime.
-
This thing plays straight up like it was made yesterday.
-
May 7, 2011, 1:40 p.m. CST
The orgional adaptation on Blueray will do just fine, thanks
by alexander
but the solution to this current one seems pretty simple to me, possibly: Just don't call it 'Akira'. You can put 'based on' in the credits and mention it in all the publicity etc, but just don't bother to call it 'Akira'. I'm sure they could come up with something more imaginative and striking than 'Trevor', but if not, well hey, that might be fun!
-
Could see him playing Spike but not anyone from Akira.
-
Don't even bother making a live action version of this movie. On that note, considering how much content was in the graphic novel, I never understood why Katsuhiro Otomo has never went back and adapted it into a television series. 30 episodes would be more than enough to tell the whole story. At least the comic made more sense, and the ending was great... bittersweet as though at may have been. Now... that said... if they do have to make this movie why can't they just make it utilizing that new fangled mocap technology ala the upcoming Tin Tin film? Truthfully, I think having the more stylized characters and scenery from the comic would make more sense anyways. That way, maybe Otomo could be the art director and bring his work to life again. BAH! Nevermind... I'm dreaming. This is going to be a watered down, white washed, Americanized, and Hollywoodized pile of shit that spits in the face of Asian people everywhere no matter how you spin it. Consider all my points moot... move along.
-
May 7, 2011, 9:01 p.m. CST
Jesus Fucking Christ, Can This Whole Atrocity Just STOP NOW PLEASE?
by NeonFrisbee
Just stop it. Put on the breaks. End it. Don't make this... thing. Just don't. Pillage it, rip it off, and call it something else, but don't rape Akira. Please? Not only will all of fandom HATE you, NOBODY will see it and you'll lose millions. Just stop now and walk away. Stop now. Walk away. Please.
-
May 7, 2011, 10:22 p.m. CST
maybe this is the bill & ted sequel we've been hearing about...
by truedog67
-
May 7, 2011, 11:21 p.m. CST
IT WILL BE KEANU, AND TO KEEP IT 80S HE'LL WEAR RAY BAN WAYFARERS
by Meadowe
I'll judge this on its own merits instead of comparing it to the original...I've given up on hollywood, at least this isn't 21 jonah street.
-
May 7, 2011, 11:22 p.m. CST
JUST THINK OF THIS BEING TO AKIRA LIKE THE DEPARTED WAS TO INFERNAL AFFAIRS
by Meadowe
A highly Americanized version that only takes some ideas from the original but is for the most part its own entity.
-
May 7, 2011, 11:56 p.m. CST
I'm sure we'll get a nice Blu-Ray and merchandise
by CreamCheeseAlchemist
related to the original. Movie years are good that way, even if the movie itself is one piece of crap. But the white default is getting old. I remember once reading in Variety that white actors help in overseas markets, especially in Asia, but in 2003 Haunted Mansion opening at #1 in Japan was considered such a shock. And that movie would've been no different if it had been about Tim Allen and his family instead of Eddie Murphy's. Less coded, maybe, but otherwise? Yeah... In any case, localizing this doesn't mean all the characters have to be white.
-
Because if fanboy twats are going to call Hollywood racist for using American actors in an American production of Akira, they should change the name. Specimen 28, I believe the character of Akira was designated as such in the original story, would be a better name for the movie. And it would free the filmmakers from having to hew slavishly to the source material. If Hollyweird is gonna do this they need to stick as closely to Otomo's *themes* as possible, while at least crafting their own original settings and characters. Leave it to the writers to figure out the way to achieve those goals. And if American fanboys want to see a live action production of a Japanese story with Japanese characters, ya'll should have spent your time lobbying Japanese movie studios instead of American ones. (The FX would have looked amateurish and you'd never see it in an American theater, but ya know what? Fuck you!) Crying that American studios will hire mostly white, and likely quite a few black, actors instead of yellow actors is, quite frankly, embrassing. Tough shit, learn to be careful what you wish for. Fucking pansies.
-
Yeah, nobody else does either.
-
The video for 'stronger' is the best live-action akira we'll ever get.
-
Keanu is a crap actor who I no longer find enjoyable to watch. I didn't even like him before The Matrix movies, but the first one was so good that it temporarily fooled me into believing he was bad ass. Then the second and third ones were released and that illusions was shattered. I dig Speed, because its good even though it shouldn't be. Otherwise, dude IS Ted Theodore Logan and shall remain that character until he departs this Earth.
-
the ending especially is very anticlimatic.
-
Kaneda = Burt Reynolds Tetsuo = Mickey Rooney
-
This project is perfect for unknowns, really doesn't need a "name" to sell it...mind you, does any film these days? Really?
-
I don't mind actors being different race than the source material. That shouldn't even be an issue, considering this is an American remake. But please, Keanu is way too old for this... He could play the main character, if this was a remake of Oldboy lol. Get some relatively unknown actors, and give them a shot. Someone said up top, that Angelina was too old for Tomb Raider, but it worked anyways, well, you're wrong. Angelina was only 25 when that movie was made, and shes only 35 now lol.
-
May 8, 2011, 7:12 p.m. CST
HOLLYWOOD READ THIS: Tatsuya Fujiwara (Akira) & Kenichi Matsuyama (Tetsuo)
by Kajisan
They played very well in the Death Note Live adaptions. Fujiwara was very good in Battle Royal too. Why not casting them? I´m not a big japan geek, but they would fit perfectly into this cast. btw @theyreflockingthisway: thanks, yes its called cyberpunk. i know its still happening today..but akira..hm..its this style that makes 50% of the movie successful.
-
Include the original score since it cannot be improved. There. Now you have a live version of the exact same thing. Arn't you a proud boy?
-
May 9, 2011, 12:42 p.m. CST
OBVIOUSLY Bullshit. There's no way they won't use this as a teeny-bopper vehicle.
by Playkins
Think about it: are studios going to miss a chance to hype up a teen romance/relationship/triangle possibility? (Kaneda/Kaori/Tetsuo). No- there will be pretty teens in this movie, and there will be some sort of a love story.
-
May 9, 2011, 12:43 p.m. CST
tomimt: first of all. Get a fucking screen name. Then fuck off.
by UltraTron
Yes you are right. Anti-climatic. It's just the birth of a new god you cabbage brained goon pie
-
Reeves is too old for this part, so they must really be making some changes to how this whole thing is set up... Might as well take it to a whole new level, get Roseanne Barr to play Tetsuo! Discuss:
Top Talkbacks
- Nordling Reviews STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS! Spoilers Abound! You Are Warned! -- 439 total posts 207 posts
- The big screen adaptation of ASSASSIN'S CREED has been given a release date!!! -- 97 total posts 83 posts
- AVENGERS 2 might be filming in SOUTH AFRICA, does this mean that Black Panther is going to be a part of the action!?! -- 294 total posts 48 posts
- Harry gets seriously geeky on the very geeky cool STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS! Can't wait for the next one! & See this again! -- 1384 total posts 37 posts
- Capone reviews STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS and considers the art of messing with canon and why it doesn't bother him!!! -- 429 total posts 37 posts
- Did you guys like RED 2? Oh it's not out yet, well who cares?? Get ready for RED 3 anyways!!! -- 84 total posts 27 posts
- ‘I Am Not Fucking Like You!!’ The 3-Minute Trailer For The Rampling-Enhanced Final Season Of DEXTER!! -- 64 total posts 22 posts
- UPDATE The Friday Docback Calls 'The Name of the Doctor'!! DOCTOR WHO's S7 Finale Arrives This Weekend!! Now With Glen's Ultra-Brief, SPOILER FREE MiniReview!! -- 87 total posts 22 posts
- Christopher Nolan maybe, could be, might be, directing the next BOND film!?!?! -- 496 total posts 21 posts
- LAST THURSDAY OF SWEEPS!! The Last OFFICE Ever!! New HANNIBAL, WIPEOUT & ANGER!! Finales For ELEMENTARY, BANG, IDOL, GREY’S, SCANDAL, VAMPIRE & BEAST!! Kirk On KIMMEL!! Spock On CONAN!! Herc’s Thursday TV Talkback!! -- 151 total posts 12 posts