Warner Bros. will turn anime artist Katsuhiro Otomo’s six-volume graphic novel masterwork “Akira” into two live action feature films, the first of which is being fast tracked for release in summer 2009.
WB, which had the “Akira” rights several years ago, only to let them lapse and then recapture them in a spirited bidding battle, is planning a twin-bill that the filmmakers have described as “Blade Runner” meets “City of God.”
Studio has closed a seven-figure rights acquisition deal with Kodansha, and has set Ruairi Robinson to direct a script by Gary Whitta (“Book of Eli”). Andrew Lazar’s Mad Chance will produce with Appian Way’s Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Davisson.
Each feature will be comprised of three of the books in Otomo’s series. The drama takes place in “New Manhattan,” a metropolis that was rebuilt after being destroyed 31 years ago.
Robinson, an Irish helmer who has been Oscar-nominated for his short film and commercials work, is making his feature debut.
The project was brought in by exec veep Greg Silverman, who has supervised “300” and “Batman Begins.”
Grats Gary! Unproven and seemingly inexperienced director (at least based on what google puked up) makes me nervous, but I’ll remain optimistic. It’s cool that they’re going to do the whole manga.
And what a nightmare. How can you condense that? I think the animated film failed pretty incredibly to tell the story of the books, though that doesn’t make it bad on its own.