Movies News
'Akira' shuts down for script changes
By Adnan Tezer Jan 6, 2012, 22:44 GMT
CATEGORY : Movies, DVD
SECTION: Reviews
LOCATION: Dallas, Texas
spent the last 5 years in Los Angeles as an
> actor/screenwriter. I gradauted with a Bachelor's in journalism from The
> University of Texas at Austin in 1999
Warner Bros. has shut down pre-production of its live-action version of "Akira," based on Katsuhiro Otomo's graphic novel.
According to Variety, production offices in Vancouver have been closed until the script has been reworked.
Warner Bros. acquired the "Akira" rights with Legendary Pictures from publisher Kodansha in 2008.
"Akira" was first adapted as a feature in 1988 as an animated film which Otomo directed.
Otomo will be an executive producer on the film.
Jaume Collet-Serra ("Unknown") is directing the $90 million film from a script by Mark Fergus, Hawk Ostby and Gary Whitta.
Steve Kloves and David James Kelly did recent rewrites.
Garrett Hedlund has been cast with Kristen Stewart, Ken Watanabe and Helena Bonham Carter in the middle of closing deals.
The film will be set in New Manhattan, a city that was rebuilt after being destroyed 31 years earlier. The leader of a motorcycle gang attempts to save his friend, discovered with dangerous psychokinetic abilities, from government medical experiments.
Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Davisson Killoran are producing through their Appian Way along with Mad Chance's Andrew Lazar.
A new writer will likely be hired to work on the script with Collet-Serra and the producers over the next two weeks.
