Live Action Akira

(ジャパン(66)
      
English
Thu 2008/02/21 21:50
Japan Probe reports on a live action version of Akira is to be produced by Leonardo DiCaprio.
While I liked the art style of Akira, the content seemed a bit too gloomy for me.
Image of bike from ITMedia.
Original Akira trailer below.
Posted on Thu 2008/02/21 21:50 by
Danny Choo in Tokyo (Registered on Mon 2006/12/11 11:06)
Director/代表取締役
Final Fantasy Freak Ein in London, Japan , Malaysia, Taiwan (登録日: 2007/10/28 16:52)
Game Designer
hmm~ how much does it cost anyway?
Always want one of Anime bike!
Final Fantasy Freak Ein in London, Japan , Malaysia, Taiwan (登録日: 2007/10/28 16:52)
Game Designer
The only thing that i really want is the Movie Producer will state:" Base on Japan Famous Comic " or something like that big enough on the movie....
for what? for the Pride of ACG industry
Chuck Gaffney in Selden, New York (登録日: 2007/07/29 00:29)
Anime Store Owner, artist, Web master
I agree.  With Dragon Ball and Speed Racer coming out this year, we hope that the future anime-to-big-Hollywood-movies give honor to where they came from.
(ID #31657) Posted on 2008/02/24 18:58
Henry in /usr/bin/ (登録日: 2006/12/25 19:17)
anime/cosplay events organizer
another great anime classic getting raepd by Hollywood and taking the lead is a first-time producer pretty boy >.>

thanks a lot Hollywood >.>
(ID #30963) Posted on 2008/02/22 13:05
D_Blade in Montreal (登録日: 2006/12/31 22:48)
Non-profit org. volunteering work addict
I still wonder what is going on about the supposed "Dragonball Live Action Movie" and who would actually play in it.
(ID #30968) Posted on 2008/02/22 13:10
Chong Mizunaga in an Afro (登録日: 2007/12/15 09:57)
Afro-ed Student
Hollywood called. They said, "You're welcome." D:
(ID #30975) Posted on 2008/02/22 13:17
Henry in /usr/bin/ (登録日: 2006/12/25 19:17)
anime/cosplay events organizer
btw two words..."New Manhattan" >.>
(ID #31012) Posted on 2008/02/22 13:52
R-1 in Vault 13 (登録日: 2007/07/05 20:49)
Chosen One
Hey, don't forget "Robotech the CrspMovie" and "Speed Racer".
Who else besides me has watched the live-action "Fist of The North Star"? Or even "Guyver"? Craptacular.
(ID #31025) Posted on 2008/02/22 14:14
qingy in front of the monitor (登録日: 2007/10/06 05:09)
Gunpla Enthusiast
@R-1
I've seen both of them...and i LOL'd hard at the HnK live action. not to be racist, but kenshiro is supposed to be asian! matter of fact, so is goku...
(ID #31080) Posted on 2008/02/22 17:44
nhat in PA USA (登録日: 2007/12/12 17:16)
Stager
You do realize that there has not been a single anime adaptation in the US yet right?

And don't say Transformers, lol, because the original story and characters of transformers was created by US writers.
(ID #31081) Posted on 2008/02/22 17:47
qingy in front of the monitor (登録日: 2007/10/06 05:09)
Gunpla Enthusiast
@nhat
actually, R-1 just listed a few for you. although they were made in the 90s, they were still done by Hollywood. And the new dragon ball movie is due in August later this year. we can make a sound judgement after that comes out. 
(ID #31082) Posted on 2008/02/22 17:54
DRAGUN in Arizona, USA (登録日: 2007/08/23 04:44)
Design Consultant
I would watch this just because it said Akira in the title. I wonder how this bike handles as a stretched out single sided swingarm. I wonder what the rake is, 62degrees? What powerplant does it have? Is the body carbonfiber? Does it have motor coils? TETSUOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
(ID #31123) Posted on 2008/02/22 22:10
D_Blade in Montreal (登録日: 2006/12/31 22:48)
Non-profit org. volunteering work addict
Was shocked as a kid when I caught a glimpse of Akira and Hokuto no Ken at the time they were aired on French TV.
So I don't really think I'd gain interest in that now.
(ID #30966) Posted on 2008/02/22 13:09
qingy in front of the monitor (登録日: 2007/10/06 05:09)
Gunpla Enthusiast
you don't like those shoes? what? why not?
(ID #30977) Posted on 2008/02/22 13:18
qingy in front of the monitor (登録日: 2007/10/06 05:09)
Gunpla Enthusiast
i meant to say "shows", stupid typo
(ID #30978) Posted on 2008/02/22 13:18
D_Blade in Montreal (登録日: 2006/12/31 22:48)
Non-profit org. volunteering work addict
They don't fit me. (pun intended)
Well, when you were a kid and did discover about violence in such a brutal way (and never was interested in it before, naturally)... You can imagine the trauma.
It does not impact on me anymore and a perfect illustration of this is that I am catching up on Berserk right now.
(ID #30987) Posted on 2008/02/22 13:25
qingy in front of the monitor (登録日: 2007/10/06 05:09)
Gunpla Enthusiast
lol, i remember watching akira, hokuto no ken, and saint seiya when i was like 4 or 5, it was what got me hooked on anime (that and gundam and macross). i don't think akira is all that violent if you're comparing it to hokuto no ken, its more psychological and philosophical than most animes though. check out the new hokuto no ken ovas if you have a chance, beautiful animation there.

ps. if you're watching berserk, i recommend that you watch the berserk abridged series on youtube. just search for it, they're hilarious.
(ID #30993) Posted on 2008/02/22 13:30
D_Blade in Montreal (登録日: 2006/12/31 22:48)
Non-profit org. volunteering work addict
qingy, guess the thing about Akira were their appearance, they almost look like zombies... But again, when you live in a post apocalyptic world...
(ID #30997) Posted on 2008/02/22 13:34
qingy in front of the monitor (登録日: 2007/10/06 05:09)
Gunpla Enthusiast
you probably mean the little esp kids that were always on drugs right? lol
(ID #30999) Posted on 2008/02/22 13:35
D_Blade in Montreal (登録日: 2006/12/31 22:48)
Non-profit org. volunteering work addict
Not only them, but yeah...
And I try not to rethink of the worse moments of the movie.
(ID #31006) Posted on 2008/02/22 13:40
DRAGUN in Arizona, USA (登録日: 2007/08/23 04:44)
Design Consultant
I agree, the girls werent very attractive, but it was the art style. I like the black clown gang member, riding an american bike with 10 pipes sticking out the back. But I saw Akira when I was 10ish, and I fell in love with anything from Japan. 

@D_blade, if you are watching Berserk (the OVA) make sure you get the manga to read afterwards.. or else you will be Piiiiiiiiiiiiissed. Oh, and watch the outakes:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sT4-PUhsF5w
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQzQomjNFvE&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAh_I_05UXM&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEE-qK9errU&feature=related
(ID #31124) Posted on 2008/02/22 22:17
Benjamin Takeyo in Lieu de la batille decisive (登録日: 2007/12/04 23:16)
ひきこもり/Hikikomori. Suits my current state more than a 大学生/University Student. ^^
@qinqy

Berserk the Abridged Series is just as you said! It's damn funny - much like Yu Gi Oh the Abridged Series!
(ID #31191) Posted on 2008/02/23 01:20
D_Blade in Montreal (登録日: 2006/12/31 22:48)
Non-profit org. volunteering work addict
Excellent stuff those outtakes are!
(ID #31774) Posted on 2008/02/25 00:53
D_Blade in Montreal (登録日: 2006/12/31 22:48)
Non-profit org. volunteering work addict
Btw, there are a fifth and sixth part in those outtakes. Watched 'em all.
(ID #31775) Posted on 2008/02/25 01:24
qingy in front of the monitor (登録日: 2007/10/06 05:09)
Gunpla Enthusiast
"live action version of Akira is to be produced by Leonardo DiCaprio"

this is now guaranteed to be utter crap. but i'm kind of surprised they didn't do this sooner.

as for the dragonball z movie, the cast is already picked, and stephen chow is supposed to be guest directing. hope that it won't be THAT bad.

still waiting for them to make that eva live action...i loved the concept sketches.
(ID #30976) Posted on 2008/02/22 13:17
Chong Mizunaga in an Afro (登録日: 2007/12/15 09:57)
Afro-ed Student
Stephen Chow is guest directing? Sounds like it's gonna turn into a comedy now. D:
(Stephen Chow is known for directing comedy movies, in case you didn't know)
(ID #30988) Posted on 2008/02/22 13:26
D_Blade in Montreal (登録日: 2006/12/31 22:48)
Non-profit org. volunteering work addict
Hope that Stephen Chow is good otaku enough for it not to end in complete mess then...
(ID #30994) Posted on 2008/02/22 13:32
qingy in front of the monitor (登録日: 2007/10/06 05:09)
Gunpla Enthusiast
actually i lied, he is producing the movie. you can check the full cast at imdb or at wiki. i don't really like the choice of the cast though. you have chow yun fat playing master roshi...which had me going wtf.
(ID #30996) Posted on 2008/02/22 13:34
D_Blade in Montreal (登録日: 2006/12/31 22:48)
Non-profit org. volunteering work addict
So it is about the very humble beginnings of the series? No Saien involved, except for Goku, naturally... (especially Prince "It's over nine thousand!!" Vegeta) like certain sources *suddenly turns his head and looks at one site with contempt* pretend to know?
Hmm, I wonder how they will do with Goku who is known as being especially small during his childhood. 
(ID #31008) Posted on 2008/02/22 13:45
spedtron in Singapore (登録日: 2007/08/22 17:38)
serving nation Orz
Looks like a ferarri on 2 wheels o_o
(ID #30990) Posted on 2008/02/22 13:28
Choo in Singapore (登録日: 2007/10/31 21:28)
Student
scary but so freaking COOL!
(ID #31016) Posted on 2008/02/22 14:03
radical anime fan in Singapore; starting to freeze up. Mmm, end-of-year weather. (登録日: 2007/01/25 21:20)
Polytechnic Freshman. Mmm... fresh.
Akira looks to me like an ancestor of Darker Than Black.
(ID #31027) Posted on 2008/02/22 14:15
D_Blade in Montreal (登録日: 2006/12/31 22:48)
Non-profit org. volunteering work addict
You sure about this? Sounds a bit too obscure and simplistic to me.
Akira is for me much darker than Darker than Black could ever be (even if the latter has a little dark atmosphere already).
Anyone can shed me some light on this idea as I am merely lurking in the shadows? ^^
(ID #31032) Posted on 2008/02/22 14:25
R-1 in Vault 13 (登録日: 2007/07/05 20:49)
Chosen One
Ah, but remember Sir Danny. Amidst the sands of gloom, there is always a small grain of hope. Except maybe in Eva... Or School Days. Elfen Leid... Or Texhnolyze... Or Alien 9... Or Grave of The Fireflies...
(ID #31029) Posted on 2008/02/22 14:19
R-1 in Vault 13 (登録日: 2007/07/05 20:49)
Chosen One
Or Zambot 3... Or Ideon... Or Victory Gundam... Wait... Ideon had the rebirth of the galaxy, that's kinda good. And Victory had a "good" ending.
(ID #31031) Posted on 2008/02/22 14:23
D_Blade in Montreal (登録日: 2006/12/31 22:48)
Non-profit org. volunteering work addict
Well. Thank you for the spoilers, even if those shows are on the old side.
(ID #31035) Posted on 2008/02/22 14:27
R-1 in Vault 13 (登録日: 2007/07/05 20:49)
Chosen One
Er... Jedi mind-wipe?
(ID #31039) Posted on 2008/02/22 14:35
R-1 in Vault 13 (登録日: 2007/07/05 20:49)
Chosen One
Oh! Oh! Mind-wipe with ero!

http://www5c.biglobe.ne.jp/~valalpa/

Well, not all of it is... But still good!
(ID #31045) Posted on 2008/02/22 14:55
Tempest in New Zealand (登録日: 2007/11/07 06:56)
Exchange Student
I love Kanedas bike shown in the pic but I HATE Leo DiCaprio I'm sure he's going to rape it completely and that makes me angry, DO NOT WANT!
(ID #31041) Posted on 2008/02/22 14:39
ornehx in Penang, Malaysia (登録日: 2007/12/25 23:02)
dannychoo.com no aidokusha
love the art style and animation as well. though find that the character design is abit old, not exciting enough
(ID #31043) Posted on 2008/02/22 14:40
tibul in UK (登録日: 2008/01/28 07:18)
Network Technician
Well it is from the late 80's would explain the old style of animation :D , overall i think its a great Anime thats about to be butchered by Hollywood.
(ID #31044) Posted on 2008/02/22 14:52
Meimi132 in Back end of nowhere, aka Norfolk, England (登録日: 2007/12/04 04:17)
(University)Student and Mcdonalds Grease monkey.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOANYONE BUT DE-CRAPRIO!!!
(ID #31048) Posted on 2008/02/22 14:57
BIG BOSS in Asuka's bed. (登録日: 2007/12/06 12:47)
--
Akira is the best anime ever. Sure it's  dark, but that's the point, the vision of a future we are heading if we don't stop mutilating the world and messing with genetics etc.
(ID #31049) Posted on 2008/02/22 14:58
Tokyo Ghost in Tokyo, Japan (登録日: 2007/02/10 15:13)
Observer
Anyone know what the music track is on the trailer posted above?
(ID #31050) Posted on 2008/02/22 15:00
keats in NL (登録日: 2007/09/02 20:42)
student
I'm surprised about the number of people who commented here that don't grasp the utter awesomeness of the original anime and/or manga. I've seen Akira 30+ (no kidding) times, and everytime I watch it, I keep discovering new things in the animation. Can't wait to see it in Full HD! But anyway, the story is epic, the directing is fabulous and the soundtrack is so... foreign.. so Japanese! Akira is truly the reason I kept my interest in anime during the Anime Dark Ages. 

Leonardo DiCrapio's version is gonna sucq bigtime. 
I can imagine the motivational poster as we speak: 

RAPE
Even Akira isn't safe. 

(ID #31055) Posted on 2008/02/22 15:10
R-1 in Vault 13 (登録日: 2007/07/05 20:49)
Chosen One
Sorry man, but talking about how awesome Akira is is like saying that Michaelangelo's painting of the Sistine Chapel is a masterpiece. It's redundant, since everyone more or less agrees that Akira is a hallmark in anime history.

Now when somebody starts to talk about how bad Akira was , that's different story.
(ID #31057) Posted on 2008/02/22 15:18
Sean in San Francisco / Tokyo / London / Dublin (登録日: 2007/01/23 17:06)
Video Editor / Sound Designer / DJ
Hmm, I would agree with Keats from NL :
AKIRA is still THE BEST anime ever, seriously I'm waiting for anything to touch it till this day. I have also seen Akira 30+ times, and been BLOWN AWAY by the manga. I can't even think of another manga that can come close. Otomo is a genius. For anyone out there who likes real arty & thinking man's manga, check out his rare collection book "MEMORIES" . It's unbelievable.

TO "R-1" , if you are waiting for someone to "..talk about how bad Akira was..." I wouldnt hold my breath if I were you. Also people will have totally forgotten about "Revoltech" in a couple years, dont think you can say the same for any of Otomo's work.
(ID #31089) Posted on 2008/02/22 19:42
Tempest in New Zealand (登録日: 2007/11/07 06:56)
Exchange Student
Quick question: Does the manga have a slightly different storyline or is it the same as in the anime?
(ID #31091) Posted on 2008/02/22 20:06
qingy in front of the monitor (登録日: 2007/10/06 05:09)
Gunpla Enthusiast
the manga is a lot more detailed, with a lot more background story and character development than the anime movie. i have to say that every manga collector should have it in their collection.
(ID #31092) Posted on 2008/02/22 20:18
Tempest in New Zealand (登録日: 2007/11/07 06:56)
Exchange Student
Thought about getting them, I liked how they're as thick as telephone books, now I just need the money to buy 'em all...
(ID #31096) Posted on 2008/02/22 20:35
R-1 in Vault 13 (登録日: 2007/07/05 20:49)
Chosen One
To Sean: ???? What does Revoltech have to do with Akira being awesome?
(ID #31208) Posted on 2008/02/23 02:19
R-1 in Vault 13 (登録日: 2007/07/05 20:49)
Chosen One
Aaaaaaaaaaand life goes on.

*Plays with Revoltechs*
(ID #31317) Posted on 2008/02/23 14:28
lowlife187 in Atlanta, Georgia USA (登録日: 2007/09/29 04:30)
Contraband Distrabution Specialist
First off, I want that bike, I want it bad!  Second, I love the movie Akira, I hope that they don't ruin the story bringing it to live action.  This could go both ways, I pray to the Gods above and below that they will succeed and make a great movie.

But something tells me this movie will blow.  
(ID #31056) Posted on 2008/02/22 15:16
D_Blade in Montreal (登録日: 2006/12/31 22:48)
Non-profit org. volunteering work addict
Yeah, better have low expectations and a very good surprise in the end rather than great hopes and a huge disappointment.
(ID #31060) Posted on 2008/02/22 15:30
MARIORINO in Emerald Coast, Italia. (登録日: 2007/01/19 01:45)
DREAMCASTER,Nihongo no Gakusei
In the Usa always know like ruining the beautiful things.
It will be orribile as the video of kenny west.
God! help us,I don't want a movie of EVA...
(ID #31066) Posted on 2008/02/22 15:44
XSportSeeker in Brazil (登録日: 2007/08/22 05:30)
Hikikomori
Another movie I'll completely ignore.

This, and the Dragonball that'll look like Ninja kids or Ninja surfers movie.

Some things are better left in Anime and manga version only.

But Hollywood never gets it, despite the horrible movies they release from time to time.
(ID #31072) Posted on 2008/02/22 16:45
Darkunor in York, UK (登録日: 2007/09/20 00:44)
Computer Science 大学生
Hells yea for Linkin Park track in that video. 

Also, the film is produced by DiCaprio. Different thing to him acting in it.
(ID #31074) Posted on 2008/02/22 16:58
AndyH in Birmingham, UK (登録日: 2006/12/25 10:08)
3D artist
Gah - this is gonna be a letdown methinks.

Just the fact that its gonna be set in 'new manhattan' is a sign of things to Why set a film in New York YET AGAIN? Surely filmgoers want something different and unfamiliar?

The effects should be good though, if theres some money going into it.

Id love to see a big mutated tetsuo in photoreal CG
(ID #31077) Posted on 2008/02/22 17:31
necrophadian in Cocytus (登録日: 2007/04/22 12:13)
Stigmata Martyr
Hollywood raeping this franchise??? Leonardo D. is PRODUCING this fellas, dont panic yet... 

If he'd be a good boy he'd shut up, fork over the cash and let some really good director (jackson, cameron, bay even?) shoot this film. I'm more worried about who's doing the screenplay and cinematography than who's paying for the bill.
(ID #31099) Posted on 2008/02/22 20:58
DRAGUN in Arizona, USA (登録日: 2007/08/23 04:44)
Design Consultant
OMFG!!! BA LA BA BA BA! ID HIT IT!!!!!!!!!
(ID #31122) Posted on 2008/02/22 22:08
Bulat in Canada (登録日: 2007/04/04 14:26)
Part-time otaku
Fcuk, they are gonna mess up another great instant classic anime (and manga). I am not too happy about this, but who knows, maybe they will actually make it worth watching and wont screw everything up
(ID #31136) Posted on 2008/02/22 22:41
wormgear in Chicago (登録日: 2008/02/22 08:14)
Software Quality Engineer
Joseph Gordon Levitt as Tetsuo! Ewwww.
(ID #31148) Posted on 2008/02/22 23:16
FateStaySmart in Osaka, Japan (登録日: 2008/02/16 13:51)
Interactive Media Producer
The amount of CG to make this possible will probably make Di'Caprio's brain expand in similar Tetsuo self-destructive flair. What's sad is that he's only going to "learn" his character, NOT the story or the original source.

They would be better off doing the whole thing like FF:AC and getting quality VAs instead of using "Mr. Titanic" as a lead. -_-
(ID #31250) Posted on 2008/02/23 06:53
xxa.v.bxx in Savannah/Statesboro, Georgia (登録日: 2008/01/18 06:19)
Middle Grades/ESOL Major (Student)
...Leonardo DiCaprio?!?
I do not understand where he comes in. My sketch radar is going off with this director choice.
All eyes are on you with this on, Leo...
(ID #31295) Posted on 2008/02/23 12:43
suneo (登録日: 2007/12/17 19:42)
They should let Katsuhiro Otomo come on board and supervise.

When was that trailer made?  Seems pretty modern to me, maybe this is the "teaser" for the live action?  The music track played sounds an awful lot like Linkin Park.

And you know, honestly I think I can see Leonardo diCaprio as Kaneda lol.  I haven't seen many Leo movies, but from what I've seen, he is a pretty good actor, and not always the pretty boy.  I think if given the chance he could do the role pretty well.

I was thinking just now too, if Heath Ledger hadn't passed away unfortunately, he might have been a perfect dark, brooding Tetsuo.
(ID #31388) Posted on 2008/02/23 20:43
TomGnome in USA (登録日: 2008/02/15 17:56)
Digital animation
I remember several years back some company tried to create an accurate replica of Kanedas' bike, but they were not able to make a mechanism to have it steer very well. This one looks a bit more cartoonish than that one though, probably just for show. I cant wait to see a live action akira I think that it is known well enough around the world, that the producers will be under alot of pressure to do a good job.
(ID #227791) Posted on 2008/07/02 13:43
This kit of Mizuho Kazami will be available as a kit at the wonfes and cost 9,50...(もっと見る)
Thu 02/21 21:49 comments (52)
Boys be girls in Japan - find out how from these vids. Watch out for Admiral Ack...(もっと見る)
Thu 02/21 18:14 comments (89)