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According to the entertainment news website JoBlo.com, actor has passed on playing the role of Kaneda in Warner Bros.' planned live-action adaptation of Katsuhiro Otomo's manga Akira. The Hollywood Reporter trade magazine's Heat Vision blog had reported on May 6 that Warner Bros. was in talks with the actor, although the rival Variety magazine's film editor Josh Dickey downplayed the report.Now that is news worth waking up for. Looks like it's Happy Scotch for breakfast!The website also reported that soon after Reeves turned down the role, Warner Bros. "shut down Akira's [previsualization] department and most of the staff that was working on the film was let go," although the website noted that it was told the two events were not related. Warner Bros. gave the website the following statement:
Production on Akira has not halted or been shut down, as the film has not yet been green-lit and is still very much in the development stage. The exploratory process is crucial to a project of this magnitude, and we will continue to sculpt our approach to making the best possible film.
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39 comments
Kaneda's jacket didn't say that, not even in the comic. So why does his jacket say that on some (but not all) of the merchandise? Can anyone explain? This has bugged me for YEARS.
JOYGASMS!! X3
Hey Hollywood, here's a thought: while you're in an "exploratory process" and "sculpt" it so your approach will make "the best possible film", why not, oh I dunno, MAKE A MOVIE THAT IS NOT AKIRA?!
You wanna tell a story that draws parallels from the 9/11 tragedy? Wanna say how much it sucks to be American after a successful terrorist attack/World War 3/whatever-the-hell-it-is in a dystopian future setting? Good! Go do that! Just LEAVE. AKIRA. ALONE!
They could rename Tetsuo and Kaneda to Toyota and Datsun and have a transformers crossover.
Incidentally, I really want that fucking jacket, or at least a shirt with that pill and slogan on it.
GOOD FOR HEALTHbad for education
I don't have Happy Scotch. I have cyanide pills with a smiley face on it for Fridays, though...
Stray thought: I don't actually want this, far from it, but I just pictured them casting two popular singers as Keneda and Tetsuo and when they scream each others names, they're actually singing the names. Basically what they did on Clone High that one episode.
Oh my, that was far funnier in my head than it was on "paper".
Good: No Keanu Kaneda. Bad: They're still going ahead with this live-action Akira. But please don't say "and all is right with the world"; Warner might look at Evangelion next.
Keanu, PLEASE do Bill and Ted 3 ASAP. Before you and Alex Winter get too old, like Bruce Campbell with Evil Dead 4. You owe to Wild Stallyns fans of all ages!
I feel bad for the staff that was "let go." Keanu can afford to not do this movie; not sure I can say the same for these guys. Here's hoping they find work soon on something that isn't a sure-fire suckfest.
given now that kenue joins other stars who decided not risk being part of the attempt to do akira in live. action. seems to be making the film cursed. for everyone talked to for the cast runs away. god sending a message not to do akira live action. or at all
Holy crap... is that... yes. Yes, I do believe I just developed a small smidgen of respect for Keanu Reeves...
Wow, even Keanu knew this was going to suck.
Production will re-commence once Robert Patterson signs on.
If so, then there's a Satan too since we're still getting Transformers 3 with Michael Bay.
Looks like we need someone to brave the harrowing of Hell to defeat Bay-elzebub. I nominate Rob. The physical and emotional torture he endures every Friday far surpasses the worst torments the Inferno can dish out.
Unless somehow the two projects merge. Bill and Ted playing Tetsuo and Kanaeda would maybe the only way I'm seeing an American set Akira.
