Keanu Reeves Turns Down Akira Movie

[CrimsonTemplar]

I wish this project would just die. Akira was a landmark manga that was pretty well adapted into anime. Yes, that was a long time ago, but it's still pretty solid (and freaky in parts). The plan for Warners to Americanize the story is horrible. I understand that Joe Facebook won't get the movie if they stay true to the source material, but Kaneda doesn't need to be a 40 yr old Bill S. Preston, esq.

Hell, they should grab Kumar/Sulu & Jin Kwon/whatever-his-character's/name-is-on/Hawaii-Five-O for the main roles...there are plenty of talented Asian actors who can bring the roles in the story.

 

[rsvp42]

Eh, probably for the best. Isn't he like, 40-something now? Aren't the main characters in Akira teenagers? I'm not sure why he was even considered. If they don't stay true to the original, they're going to alienate fans and if they want to change it so much, they might as well just make a new movie. It can even be a total homage to Akira if they want, but c'mon.

I wouldn't look too deep into the pre-viz folks getting let go. I mean, if they finished pre-vizing, then they probably let 'em go for budget reasons. 'Tis the industry these days; they usually don't keep on artists unless there's an active production need.

 

[CrimsonTemplar]

I wish this project would just die. Akira was a landmark manga that was pretty well adapted into anime. Yes, that was a long time ago, but it's still pretty solid (and freaky in parts). The plan for Warners to Americanize the story is horrible. I understand that Joe Facebook won't get the movie if they stay true to the source material, but Kaneda doesn't need to be a 40 yr old Bill S. Preston, esq.

Hell, they should grab Kumar/Sulu & Jin Kwon/whatever-his-character's/name-is-on/Hawaii-Five-O for the main roles...there are plenty of talented Asian actors who can bring the roles in the story.

 

[ryo02]

this film will likely kill the career of who ever gets the role

on the off chance its actually a good film I wouldnt mind keanu reeves in the film just not in the role of a character far younger than him.

 

[Merkavar]

i dont understand how he can turn down any role atm. has he been in any films recently?

 

[teh_v]

Please Please just let it die. In the name of all things good in this world just take it out back and put a bullet thru it's head.

 

[ProtoChimp]

If only they didn't try to Americanise the whole thing.
Japanese Culture as represented in that film is so vital to the story.

You know, maybe they might not. I know they're targeting western audiences and such, and that I'm about to get aboutv78686 quoting me telling me how wrong I am, but if they haven't quit now then maybe they might actually be trying their hardest to be faithful, or at least as faithful as they can before this movie probably flls under. I mean, I hope we at least get a chance to judge it, buuuuuuuuuuuut it looks like it's heading straight to development hell.

 

[Rhinzual26]

i dont understand how he can turn down any role atm. has he been in any films recently?

Constantine, I think.

 

[ProtoChimp]

double post sorry

 

[Osaka117]

Phew! That was a close one, I was honestly worried for a while there.

 

[instantbenz]

If only they didn't try to Americanise the whole thing.
Japanese Culture as represented in that film is so vital to the story.

Exactly, if this could just be done right the first time, that would be great. This is such an important story to be told properly and I really don't want everyone complaining about it which would bring about a remake 15 years down the road.
damn remakes ... be original!

 

[SenorNemo]

Keanu isn't right for the role, and I hope that's one of the reasons he turned it down.

Anyway, I really don't think Akira needs a live action version (I think one of the things that makes the film great is how it plays to animation's advantages as a medium so well), but I'm not so sure that it's destined to suck. I think, how things look like now, that it'll be Akira in pretty much name alone, but if it's done well - even if it's just something vaguely based on the premise of Akira - then I don't think the project need die.

Besides, among all the casting woes, people seem to have forgotten that they cast Morgan Freeman as Colonel Shikishima, and the art director they hired seems to be pretty good too. Not that I have much faith in the writer or director, but hey, they did something right.

Still though, why is Akira getting the fast track when it's suited best to animation, while Cowboy BeBop and Neon Genesis Evangelion are both still stuck in the hey-guys-could-you-spare-a-few-million stage when they have the potential to equal or even surpass the original?

 

[Darks63]

This could be a good or bad thing, one one hand it could mean this will never get made to much rejoicing or it could mean that it will be made as cheap as hell with a production quality and acting quality to make you think the asylum made this pile.

 

[Formica Archonis]

As long as he's still on-board for the Cowboy Bebop live action.

Hmmm. Could we get his voice dubbed over by someone who can act? It'll add to the anime-ish experience AND hopefully improve the performance...!

(I'm sorry, couldn't resist.)

 

[Olorune]

Dodged a bullet there. To be honest, I think they should just leave it alone. Not everything needs to be put into live action. In fact, most of the time, I'd rather watch something animated instead of something real.

 

[Ekonk]

If only they didn't try to Americanise the whole thing.

The only reason they're remaking it at all is because they want to Americanise it.

It's because they are aiming for a really really really low audience; the kind that doesn't watch foreign movies because they're foreign movies.

Therefore, it's doomed to suck balls whatever happens. Abandon all hope, ye who enter here etc.

 

[Dr. Pepper Unlimited]

Good thing too. While I doubt the movie would be any good, he's just...just the worst kind of actor. God I hate him...

 

[kalt_13]

Best news I've heard since they greenlit the movie, now if only they would cancel it *fingers crossed*