The highly anticipated live-action Akira movie has just taken a significant turn in its production. After more than two decades in development, Warner Bros. has officially relinquished the adaptation rights .
The information was exclusively confirmed by the American press. Now, the rights revert to Kodansha , the publisher of the original manga Katsuhiro Otomo , first published in 1982. Thus, a new chapter opens for the Japanese cyberpunk classic.
Attempts, failures, and millions invested
It's worth remembering that Warner acquired the rights in 2002 with ambitious plans. However, the project faced numerous obstacles over the years. Several screenwriters, directors, and producers were involved—including Leonardo DiCaprio and Taika Waititi —but none managed to bring the idea to fruition.
The project went into pre-production several times. However, budget problems, criticism about "whitewashing," and creative changes undermined any progress. The last boost came in 2017 when Taika Waititi took over as director. Despite this, he became involved in other commitments, and Akira was shelved again.
The future of the live-action adaptation remains uncertain
Currently, with the rights back with Kodansha, new studios and streaming platforms are showing interest. After all, Akira is one of the most influential works in Japanese pop culture, marking a generation with its 1988 animated film.
Meanwhile, fans are hoping that a new adaptation will respect the original material, including the futuristic setting of Neo-Tokyo and iconic characters like Kaneda and Tetsuo . However, there is still no confirmation regarding a new director or cast.
Finally, as the film itself says: "The future is not a straight line." Let's wait and see what the next step will be in this long cinematic journey.
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Source: The Hollywood Reporter