Friday, July 18, 2014

"Akira" Live Action Gets New Scribe

Deadline reports that Dante Harper has been hired to redraft the adapted script for the long gestating "Akiraremake at Warner Bros. This is the first progress on the project in almost a year.



The original story is set in a neon-lit futuristic post-nuclear war "New Tokyo" in 2019. Kaneda is a bike gang leader whose close friend Tetsuo gets involved in a secret government project known as Akira. Trying to save him, Kaneda runs into anti-government activists, corrupt politicians, irresponsible scientists and a despotic military leader. The confrontation sparks off Tetsuo's supernatural power leading to not only death but the uncovering of the truth about Akira that the government tried to bury three decades before.

The new film has had numerous setbacks as it sat in development over the past few years, mostly due to concerns over the size able budget a project like this warrants . At last report, WB wanted it around or below the $90 million mark.

Jaume Collet-Serra is poised to direct. While the studio did consider other filmmakers, they opted to wait for him since they love Collet-Serra's vision for the project. The director has also reportedly found both time in his schedule, and a new approach that should fit into the studio's budget request.

This version is expected to stick close to the original manga and could spread the story across several films.

Andrew Lazar, Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Davisson Killoran are still set to produce. It's unknown if actor Garrett Hedlund is still attached to star .

Harper is also set to pen "The Secret of the Temple" That story deals with the race to secure a $20 billion treasure vault under a temple in India.

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