The live-action project: a comprehensive timeline
I feel you, fellow Akira fan! It has been a hectic journey, right? For what feels like an eternity, the dream of a live-action Akira has been dangled before us, a mirage always vanishing away. Let's plunge into this rabbit hole of conjecture, efforts, and rumors.
Over the past 30 years, it's only been seen that Katsuhiro Otomoo's Akira has become a well-known figure. A cyberpunk masterpiece, the 1988 anime film blew minds with its breathtaking visuals, complex themes, and prophetic vision of a post-apocalyptic Tokyo. Hollywood was waiting to convert its raw energy into a live-action performance; it was just a question of time. Thus started a roller coaster of gossip, big names, and interminable delays that has left admirers like us on the edge of exhilaration and frustration.
We’ve all been there: refreshing news feeds, scouring forums, clinging to every crumb of information about this mythical project. The idea of seeing Kaneda, Tetsuo, and the chaos of Neo-Tokyo brought to life by real actors and cutting-edge effects is tempting. But after so many false starts, it's easy to feel a certain weariness, a sense that perhaps this dream is fated to remain just that: a dream.
Let's take a look back at the live-action Akira film project, through its major milestones to date.
The journey of Akira's live-action adaptation
Warner Bros. acquires rights
After gaining popularity in Western audiences, Warner Bros. showed interest in Akira for a live-action remake, and in 2002 acquired the rights.
Ruairi Robinson and Gary Whitta's involvement
Irish director Ruairi Robinson was briefly attached, with a script by Gary Whitta (who would later co-write Rogue One: A Star Wars Story). Concept art emerged, giving us a glimpse of what could have been. The excitement was palpable, but short-lived.
The Hughes brothers take the helm (briefly)
Allen and Albert Hughes, known for From Hell and The Book of Eli, were announced as directors. Their idea was to adapt the six volumes of the manga and split the story into two films. However, creative differences reportedly led to their departure.
Jaume Collet-Serra enters the scene
Spanish director Jaume Collet-Serra (Orphan, Non-Stop) emerged as a new choice to direct the film and, unlike many before him, remained associated with the project for some time. This was a major development, and it looked like we were finally on to something.
Casting rumors galore and script controversies
This period was a wild ride of speculation. Names like Robert Pattinson, Andrew Garfield, James McAvoy, Garrett Hedlund, Kristen Stewart, Helena Bonham Carter, Gary Oldman, and even Zac Efron were tossed around for roles like Kaneda, Tetsuo, and other key characters. Perhaps the most contentious aspect was the constant talk of relocating the story from Neo-Tokyo to a futuristic "New Manhattan" or "New York." This sparked outrage among purist fans, worried about the loss of the original's essence.
Budget concerns and indefinite postponement
Despite Collet-Serra's continued involvement and the persistent casting rumors, the project hit a major snag: budget. Warner Bros. reportedly put the film on "indefinite postponement" due to concerns over its projected $90 million+ cost.
Jordan Peele and Taika Waititi in the mix
After the success of Get Out, Jordan Peele was reportedly offered the director's chair, but he declined as he wasn't interested in remakes. Later, the immensely popular Taika Waititi (Thor: Ragnarok, Jojo Rabbit) entered the picture and expressed significant interest.
Taika Waititi officially on board and a release date
Taika Waititi was officially confirmed as the director, and a release date of May 21, 2021, was announced! We could almost taste it. Waititi spoke passionately about staying true to the source material while bringing his unique vision.
The COVID-19 pandemic strikes and Akira is delayed (again)
Just as pre-production was reportedly gearing up, the global COVID-19 pandemic hit. Hollywood productions ground to a halt, and Akira was among the casualties. The May 2021 release date was removed from Warner Bros.' schedule, understandable given the circumstances.
Warner Bros. loses rights
As Warner Bros. hasn’t been able to get the project off the ground since acquired the rights in 2002, they finally gave up about making an Akira live-action version. The movie rights have reverted back to its original publisher, Kodansha.
Still in limbo
Since the pandemic-related delay, official news has been sparse. Taika Waititi has gone on to direct other successful projects, and while he occasionally mentions Akira, there's no clear indication of when (or if) it will move forward. The project seems to be in a perpetual state of "wait and see."
A fan’s enduring hope
Thus here we are, still waiting. Every time a new name appears, every director's enthusiasm lights a little hope inside us. But then the delays, the changes, the quiet are enough to make even the most devoted fan a little jaded.
Part of me wonders if the live-action Akira is simply too ambitious, too grand, too iconic to ever be fully captured outside of Otomo’s original vision. Or perhaps, like the ever-expanding power of Tetsuo, the project itself has become too unwieldy, too difficult to control. Stay tuned for further news! (we have no other choice anyway).
