Vitals
- Products: Akira
- Genres: Animated, Science Fiction & Fantasy
It's been well over two years since we've heard any new news regarding the Leonardo DiCaprio produced, live-action and (*sigh*) Americanized re-imagining of Katsuhiro Otomo's legendary manga, Akira. However, Pajiba.com offers up some new updates on the production which...well, let's just leave it at that, "some new updates."
Apparently in a blink-and-you-would've-missed-it move, The Hughes Brothers, Albert and Allen, are rumored to be in final negotiations to direct the two-part epic, which would be based on the original manga series rather than the more popular 1988 anime film (trust us, although they're the same story, they're two completely different monsters). Adding to that news, it looks like a screenwriter for the production is close to being officially announced -- namely, Albert Torres (according to a report on Collider). If you're reading that name and thinking, "Albert Who?" you're not alone, as his only credit to date is Henry Poole is Here (which, again -- "Henry What?!")
And if that's not enough fuel for the inevitable message board fires, it looks like all involved are pushing for "PG-13" rating. Which makes perfect sense since, ya know, the anime really made a point to reel in the sex, violence and horror contained in the manga to appeal to American audiences (that's sarcasm, internet folk).
Don't get us wrong here, The Hughes Brothers are indeed talented directors and definitely have the résumé for a project like Akira (need we remind you they directed From Hell?), but the jury's out for a project like Akira, which needs to be insanely epic and, dare we say, is tailor-made for 3D. Likewise, short of film critics or those who live at the multiplex, has anyone seen Henry Poole is Here?! And it seems that the people who have seen it, don't really like it (for example, the source of this news).
Lastly, a PG-13 rating for Akira would be like a G-rated Natural Born Killers sequel -- it just doesn't make sense! After all, while the anime absolutely broke new ground on cartoon violence and horror, the magna -- while violent in it's own right -- dealt much more with political, social and religious issues in a frank and utterly adult manner, a point which couldn't possibly be respected with a family-friendly rating. And, again, we're talking about juvenile delinquent biker gangs who have more in common with Alex and the Droogs from A Clockwork Orange than the Biker Mice from Mars -- these kids do tons of drugs and fight to the death -- and that's just what we're comfortable writing here. Lastly, the title character (yes, there is a character named "Akira" -- a.k.a. #28 -- in the manga who plays a major role) asks the question, "What would happen if the power of God was given to an autistic child?" -- yeah, that sounds like the perfect premise for an afternoon at the movies with the kiddos!
If I may editorialize, well, a bit more -- I'm personally a huge fan of Akira -- the manga moreso than the anime -- and I really think this could be a great live-action film, but as of right now, I'm not convinced...at all.
