‘Children of Men’ Writers Scripting Live-Action ‘Akira’

Posted by Dr. Cole Abaius (cole.abaius@filmschoolrejects.com) on September 8, 2009

Akira2011

I feel like the world is ready to know my shame. After hiding for too long, it’s finally time to come clean to all of you film lovers and anime fans out there.

I do not like Akira.

There, I’ve said it. After seeing the movie three times and owning the limited edition tin version, I still have a lot of trouble finding the love that most people have for it. My primary concern is that I have no idea what the hell is happening for most of it. This, I think stems directly from filmmakers attempting to condense far, far too much story into one movie. And yet, they somehow stuff two hours in such a way that makes it feel like three.

I realize that negative criticism isn’t enough to quench the thirst of those out there that would see my skin flayed off and hung from the tallest building in Neo-Tokyo for saying so, but now is not the time for all that. Now is the time to celebrate the quality of writing that’s currently finishing up the script for the live-action version of the film that Warners has been threatening to produce.

According to Collider, Mark Fergus and Hawk Ostby are writing the adaptation.

These two men not only wrote Iron Man - they also wrote Children of Men (which serves as proof of their ability to adapt difficult source material), and one of their names is ‘Hawk.’ According to the news, the project will presumably still be two films stemming from the manga set, and Warners is scheduling one of the releases for 2011 meaning they need to hop on the good foot and head into production soon.

It’s been a while since we’ve heard word on the project, so all we can do is assume that all the previous players are set in place including Appian Way, Leonardo DiCaprio and Joseph Gordon-Levitt.

Oh, and for purest nitpickers out there, the setting will be in a futuristic Manhattan now. So get ready to boycott.

What do you think?

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tmccar20

Yeah, I see your point. It is a hard movie to show someone that has not seen before and, the story doesn't come easily. Breaking it up into two movies sounds great. But I still feel there is a lot of room for failure. First off, for each film it will probably be 80-100 million to do it right because with set construction and every shot is going to be effects shot, not to mention the fact it will be 20 to 12 million just for Leonardo, so that is 160-200 million. Second, Leonardo is either too old or too young for whatever roll he is going to play; it is kind hard to have teen angst when your in your thirties. Hell even Joseph Gordon-Levitt is a little old for the role, they suppose to be fifteen! but I would not mind if they were 18, maybe even 20. Third, if they are going by the books the second half of them gets weird after the explosion. And what else, Are they going to change the name because akira doesn't really work if they change to location to New York. This will also be the first full length movie by the director and he has delivery two movies. It is finally good to see that moving in the right direction with the writers, but there is so many pitfalls for this movie that, doesn't seem like it something to get excited about.

chille

While Children of Men is one of my favorite films of the decade, I don't think Akira needs a live action adaptation.

Icarus II

Read the manga if you want a longer and less evenly paced experience that does make a bit more sense.

Why is it shameful to not like Akira? I don't like it much either. I respect it for its ostensible achievements, but I don't enjoy watching it particularly. As for the live-action adaptation, it does seem that the property is being treated with respect -- good for fans and non-fans alike, I guess.

mymhm

Man there are just SO many problems with the idea of a live action Akira, first and foremost, who is this movie even for? What audience are they expecting with a property like this?

This how ever is the first announcement that has actually piqued my curiosity. At least we can expect the screen play to show some competence...

‘Children of Men’ Writers Scripting Live-Action ‘Akira’

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