And now it is officially confirmed: the long-shelved Hollywood live-action adaptation of classic anime movie Akira is set to go full steam ahead. Warner Bros. has announced that Thor: Ragnarok’s Taika Waititi is set to direct the long-overdue Akira. Further setting Hollywood’s live-action take of the anime classic in stone is Warner Bros.’ announcement of a release date for the movie: May 21, 2021.
Waititi was long rumored to be the director of the film, being that he is the last director to be attached to the film. To refresh your memories, Hollywood’s Akira has undergone several directorial changes and production delays, with actor Garrett Hedlund supposed to already start shooting for the project way back 2012. The 2012 production was eventually shut down by Warner Bros. because of budget issues, but it appears the film outfit wasn’t ever willing to give up on the project.
The project was finally resurrected and was guaranteed when the film was granted an $18.5 million tax credit by the California Film Commission, by way of the Leonardo di Caprio-owned Appian Way. Di Caprio’s company was told ensure that the film will begin production within 180 days of the tax credit grant—and it does appear that it really is happening. In compliance with the rules of the California Film Commission, Akira will be doing 71 days of filming in California.
Waititi has stated in a 2018 interview that he plans to adapt Akira’s manga and not the anime film. He has also stated that the film will not be whitewashed if ever he does end up in the director’s chair (and end up in that chair he did):
“Asian teenagers would be the way to do it for me and probably no, not, like no name, I mean sort of unfound, untapped talent. Yeah, I’d probably want to take it a bit back more towards the books.”
The 1988 animated film Akira was based on Katsuhiro Otomo’s post-apocalyptic cyberpunk manga series of the same name. Otomo directed and co-wrote the film’s script as well, and his work has gone on to become an influential cult classic and is widely regarded as one of the best animated films of all time.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter