Akira, widely regarded as one of the best anime movies of all times, has had quite a history as far as its transition towards a live-adaptation is concerned. While Warner Bros has acquired the rights ever since 2002, and while it has changed quite a few writers and directors over the course of years, it still didn't manage to make it work.
And of course it didn't - the plan was to westernize the story and bring it from New Tokyo to some unnamed American city. Furthermore, and most obviously, the cast was supposed to be a white one - and, as far as the fans are concerned, this is a definitive no-no.
Why an Akira adaptation wouldn't have worked
After all, like so many Japanese productions, Akira is based on Japan's post-war experiences - being the only country on which atomic bombs have been dropped. Of course, Akira may be seen as an anime (or manga, if we follow the origins of the story) about individuals with extreme superpowers, which eventually turn on their users.
But it isn't so - it all stems from the fear of an outside intervention in everything concerning a chosen path. Thus, all the morphing, all the fighting with the military, the overpopulation, and so on, are just a social commentary.
So how can Akira take place in a country which hasn't had the experiences of Japan?
Well, there may be a way out - check out the next page!
Is Nolan onboard?
About a week ago, it was announced that Christopher Nolan is working on a new movie for Warner Bros, for a 2017 release date. Then the rumor began to spread that it will be, in fact, a new trilogy of films, with The Dark Knight director meeting with all those who, at one stage, were involved in bringing Akira on the big screens.
It is far-fetched, we know, to connect these dots. Maybe it is something else. And, since 2017 is still quite far away (though not that far), we don't expect to hear something definitive and official from the studio or even the director.
Nolan's projects have been always shrouded in secrecy. Inception, at first, was known as being a heist film, while Interstellar's plot was supposed to be kicked-off by the lack of corn on Earth (we know how this sounds - but this is what it was thought, and it was laughable).
The rumor that Nolan is working on the project comes from Den of Geek.
Check out the next page to find out who was, at one point, one of the writers for an Akira movie!
A draft for Akira
As said, over the course of years, there have been quite a few people involved in bring Akira on the big screens. Most notably, we can remind of Keanu Reeves, Garrett Hedlund (Tron Legacy, Pan), and Kirsten Stewart. At one time, Leonardo DiCaprio's production company, Appian Way, was announced for Akira.
But, most recently, another name interests us. A draft of the movie was written or was supposed to be written by Jonathan Nolan - and, as we all know, the brothers almost always work together. So Akira may end up under the Nolan Brothers' pen and lens.
But why a trilogy?
Akira - a lengthy story
While the anime version (released in 1988) spans over the course of, at most, a couple of weeks, the manga version (1982-1990) spans over a greater period of time. Furthermore, the anime version skips many essential subplots from the manga.
At first, Warner Bros wanted to adapt Akira in 2 movies - the volumes 1-3 and the volumes 4-6. If indeed Nolan is working on this project and if indeed it will be a trilogy, it is more than welcomed.
However, we still don't know what to say about westernizing the story without skipping anything from its origin. What do you think?
Will Christopher Nolan direct Akira on a script written by Johnathan Nolan? Moreover, will it be a trilogy? And then - even if these two are working on bringing Akira on the big screens, do we want it?
Check out the next page too!
Akira trailers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7G5zQW4TinQ
