After a range of actors including Brad Pitt, James Franco, Ryan Gosling, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Robert Pattinson and Michael Fassbender have all passed on the bid-budget live-action adaptation of Akira, who can Warner Bros. turn to next? It seems they have landed on someone the fanbase likely isn’t for.
THR and Vulture both report that Keanu Reeves is in very early talks for the English-language blockbuster to be directed by Albert Hughes (one-half of The Book of Eli team). If he signs on, he would start filming after he completed another actioner 47 Ronin, in the role of gangleader Kaneda. Check out a synopsis below.
Kaneda is a bike gang leader whose close friend Tetsuo gets involved in a government secret project known as Akira. On his way to save Tetsuo, Kaneda runs into a group of anti-government activists, greedy politicians, irresponsible scientists and a powerful military leader. The confrontation sparks off Tetsuo’s supernatural power leading to bloody death, a coup attempt and the final battle in Tokyo Olympiad where Akira’s secrets were buried 30 years ago.
With a gigantic $230 million budget Warner Bros. are currently looking for a co-financier with no luck, after their partner Legendary Pictures declined. As for possibly casting Reeves, he is a bigger draw overseas, but he hasn’t had a hit film in awhile. Unless he is perfect in the role, which I doubt many fans of Akira will agree with, it is an odd choice for a lead.
What do you think about Reeves possibly joining Akira? Do you want to see a live-action adaptation of the property?