For some, this news will come as a major blow, whilst for some, a huge relief. After years of specualtion, including several attempts to get the project off the ground, Warner Bros has closed down the latest live-action AKIRA project.
The studio has reportedly shut the production’s Vancouver offices due to concerns over the budget. With Garrett Hedlund as the only confirmed star, and Kristen Dunst, Helena Bonham-Carter, and Ken Watanabe in talks, Warner Bros must be concerend with the lack of star power versus the speculative budget of $90 million. Warner Bros are allegedly keen to bring the cost down by $20-$30 million.
Current director Jaume Collet-Serra (the latest of several to be atteched to AKIRA, including Alan Hughes) will apparently collaborate with producers Andrew Lazar and Jennifer Kiloran Davisson to work on tightening the script. It’s possible that Steve Kloves – who penned a number of HARRY POTTER films – may be brought in as he had previously contributed to the screenplay.
The Warner Bros version of AKIRA – a remake of the classic Japanese manga – would relocate the action to ‘New Manhattan’, but still follow the story of a young biker who must stop a military-created telekentic psychopath.
Though the production is currently on hiatus, it’s likely that Warner Bros will be keen to pursue the potentially lucrative project. Expect AKIRA to come to life some time in the future…
Source: Hollywood Reporter
