Warner Bros. Puts Production of Live-Action Adaptation of Akira “On Hold Indefinitely”

We have an update on the upcoming live-action adaptation of revered anime classic Akira, and it’s not a good one (well, for those who were looking forward to it): entertainment website Variety reports that Warner Bros. has put production on their Akira adaptation “on hold indefinitely”.

Sources told Variety that this was caused by the news that Taika Waititi will be directing the sequel to Thor: Ragnarok, which Warner Bros. found “surprising”—after all, the production wheels for Akira are already turning. In fact, Waititi was reportedly already in the process of choosing his main cast among Japanese actors.

With Waititi returning to the Thor franchise, the production dates for the two films started to bump together. Script development concerns, along with some reported creative disagreements, ultimately made Warner Bros. decide to just put Akira on hold. According to sources, the studio is also hoping that Waititi will still take up Akira once the director is finished with Thor 4—which is another reason why Warner Bros. is shelving the movie for the meantime.

It was earlier reported in this site that the film was already slated for a May 21, 2021 release. After languishing in development hell for years, it was finally resurrected 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 to ensure that the film will begin production within 180 days of the tax credit grant. With news of Akira’s indefinite hiatus, it is unsure as to what will be done with the grant.

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: Variety