For over two decades, Warner Bros. has made numerous attempts to bring a live-action version of Katsuhiro Otomo’s Akira to the big screen. However, according to recent reports from THR, the studio has officially relinquished the movie rights. Despite investing millions of dollars—well into the eight-figure range—into this ambitious project, it has ultimately come to an end. The rights have reverted back to Kodansha, the original publisher of the iconic cyberpunk manga. The report indicates that various producers and talented individuals are now preparing to pitch their unique interpretations of this beloved story.
The journey began in 2002 when Warner Bros. secured the rights to Akira and enlisted Stephen Norrington, known for Blade, to direct. Unfortunately, the project stagnated, leading to a constant turnover of writers and directors, including notable names such as Albert and Allen Hughes from From Hell, Garry Whitta, who worked on Rogue One, and Jaume Collet-Serra of Carry On fame. Throughout the years, the project faced backlash over accusations of whitewashing, particularly as the storyline was altered to cater more to an American audience, transforming Neo Tokyo into New Manhattan.
In 2017, Taika Waititi joined the project with a fresh perspective, intending to adapt directly from the original manga rather than simply remaking the animated film. “I actually love the books,” Waititi expressed. “I appreciate the movie, but I would not do a remake of the movie; instead, I would focus on an adaptation of the books.” He also made it clear that he was committed to casting authentic talent, stating, “Asian teenagers would be the way to do it for me, probably opting for unknown actors.” Unfortunately, as Waititi became engrossed in other projects, including Jojo Rabbit, Thor: Love and Thunder, and The Mandalorian, the Akira project was set aside.
Akira is set in a dystopian, post-apocalyptic version of Tokyo and centers around Tetsuo, a teenage biker who unexpectedly develops catastrophic telekinetic powers that pose a threat to humanity. As his powers begin to spiral dangerously out of control, his childhood friend and gang leader, Kaneda, may be the only one capable of stopping him. While it is likely that another studio or streaming service will eventually take on Akira, one can only hope they will learn valuable lessons from the missteps made by Warner Bros..
