The Live Action Akira We Never Saw

[@thomasmichael1129]

They shouldnt do live action. They need to do an animated series that closely follows the Graphic Novel

[@bravata5579]

Well they are now

[@DiegottlosenCharmeure]

actually the graphic novel and the anime were developed more or less side by side, they start the same, they meet in the middle at some crosspoints and end the same.

[@Matter-Dark]

That’s gonna happen now.

[@santwandraws5825]

Yeah if they're gonna do a reboot, make it animated and do a mini series that follows the books, and make them Japanese, not from ohio.

[@Woter_X]

@@bravata5579not any more

[@Brian_B505]

Hopefully this will never come to pass; making it "more accessible to Western audiences" is tantamount to putting a gun to the film's proverbial head.

[@baconsarny-geddon8298]

Thats's kinda funny- Akira's been hugely popular in the West since the 80s, both the anime, and the manga, which proves it's ALREADY "accessible to Western audiences". Studios should have learned by now that (ESPECIALLY with a story like Akira) if you try to pander to viewers, water it down, make it PG-13, give it the 'Dragonball Evolution' or 'Netflix Death Note' treatment, you NEVER end up making it "more accessible"- You just destroy the property, scare off viewers, and trash your own reputation. Akira COULD be a goddam incredible live-action movie (or probably two/three movies, to cover the whole manga)... but it needs a ballsy director, who genuinely loves, and understands the story, and is willing to be uncompromising, and not cave in when studios say "it has to be PG-13", or "make it accessible to Westerners". Maybe someone like Niel Bloemkamp, or Alex Garland, or even Terry Gilliam. Hughs bros are OK (Dead Presidents and Menace were good), but it looks like their heart wasn't in it- and with a story as big and ambitious as Akira, you need someone 150% commited.

[@astriverofstrengthandknowledge]

As cool as it would be to revisit this anime, it’s probably best leaving things as it is. Timeless classic...

[@moottoriturpa7257]

I'm so glad they did not manage to ruin this one as well. Like with Ghost in the shell and cowboy bebop.... Live action can never be better version than the original, if people just keep doing movies because of money. If they really cared, had passion, they would put more effort and mind to it. But they just keep fucking things up, because the workers just lack too much motivation, inspiration, interest, and trying harder. Most of all. They try to make it look like it was made in America. Just keep the original look and build around it.

[@jesseg94]

If they really want a good Akira movie in the US. It has to be directed by Denis Villeneuve. He did an amazing job with Blade Runner 2049

[@jonathanclark2622]

I totally agree

[@marshaarbi]

yeah but blade runner 2049 was quite a bore

[@jesseg94]

@@marshaarbi depends on audience i guess because it had my full attention the whole way through

[@Yuvi2909]

That's what I'm thinking, if Denis Villeneuve can make a sequel to Blade Runner and direct Dune which was in development hell since the 70's then that means he can make Akira.

[@kraftpunk6654]

Or Christopher Nolan (Batman riding the Batpod towards the Joker is reminiscent of Akira), or Nicholas Winding Refn (for his Kubrickian neo-noir style)

[@andresdiaz2578]

The untoutchable film . And it should be that way because akira is the best animation ever. I would hate to see a live action ruin this film

[@vampkitty03]

Do I have news for you buddy and its not good

[@libertyprime4280]

"wasn't just for kids." How could this POSSIBLY BE FOR KIDS

[@glenjennett]

I could ask the same thing about The Bible.

[@SergioFlores-xx4sm]

@@glenjennettsame honestly

[@matt8399]

Rupert Sanders, Denis Villeneuve, Robert Rodriguez, and Joseph Kosinski one of these guys or all of them together would be perfect for this task just look at ghost in a shell, blade runner, alita, and tron they are the guys!

[@drunkenmoosecorp8878]

Damn, I'd like to see it as it was in the anime. Changing the story and having it ratd PG-13 would ruin it. The people who haven't seen the original akira may like it in any form but those who have seen and loved the original anime will hate it. It's all about the money

[@Enzo_is_Tired]

Yeah, WB paid for it twice, they got to recoup that cash somehow.

[@omgsolikevalleygirl]

I am shuddering at the entire idea of "remaking" that film. It's simply impossible to remake it because it is an achievement on so many levels that are beyond the current type of hollywood film making. It is about graphic art, texture, dynamic movement and a story that stretches into incredibly mythological depths and archetypes. A WB version could never be anything but an exploitative parody that boils things down to commercial cliches. I hope it never sees the light of day.

[@jeremiahford3986]

I'd like to see a live action movie based on the anime. I'd also love to see a mini series based on the graphic novel

[@MrBratkenSolov]

Not just PG-13. They'll add black and gay people for more political correctness, lol

[@miatortelllini4049]

This movie absolutely would not work with a pg-13 rating. I want an Mature rating or at least R. Though pg-14 could work.

[@miatortelllini4049]

@Digbick yep, here in America, but I tend to see it most on animes on Netflix

[@bettyconfettii]

Do you mean NC-17?

[@vanlalkimhangsing4250]

How about this idea? In this concept, Tokyo would still be destroyed in an atomic explosion caused by Akira, but it would be bought by and owned by the United States, due to Japan suffering an economic crisis from the loss of their capital city and who rename the region as Neo-Tokyo. Most of the characters would remain the same. Kaneda, Tetsuo, Kei, The Colonel and the Espers would still remain of Asian descent. The militant organization's motives could be changed to liberate Tokyo from the control of the U.S., while the Espers could be shown as Asian child orphans, who unwittingly became test subjects in the Esper experiment (which is in this version, conducted by the Japanese and the Americans) that would eventually lead to Akira releasing his powers to cause Tokyo's initial destruction. I also think the date of events from the original manga should be modified, with the destruction of Tokyo taking place in modern-day 2019 and the later events of the manga taking place in 2049. Also, the majority of the characters talk in a mixture of English and Japanese.

[@indrason6974]

I don't think Americans would like to see Americans in WW2 as oppressers

[@vanlalkimhangsing4250]

Not exactly. The Americans and Japanese would only enter a partnership to establish the Esper project, a long time after WW2 and just a few decades before Tokyo's subsequent destruction.

[@omgsolikevalleygirl]

the mere idea of a "live action akira" makes my skin crawl. I don't see an iota of contribution a live action remake could add to the original- absolutely zilch. Akira is most of all a completely unique achievement of graphic animation and graphic art - the colors, the framing, the rhythm, the visual dynamics - all of these things make "Akira" what it is. Nothing whatsoever would be gained by putting actual actors and using computer graphics to achieve similar effects. Either it would have to become a similar amount of work, and a similar amount of idealism, in which case it would be much better to do a "hommage" rather than a remake. Or it would end up being an exploitation of the 1988 original. It can never be anything but an exploitation, similar to the failed "Ghost in the Shell" with scarlett Johanson, but even much more so as Akira towers as artistic achievement over the animated Ghost in a Shell by a pretty large margin. Stop "Live Action Akira" right now. Find another screenplay.

[@mario167100]

Fuck that. I feel that an appropriate director could bring Akira to live action in the best way.

[@CrimesForDimes]

@@mario167100 Yea, the director needs to be respectable with the resources.

[@not8719]

If Netflix picked it up and worked side by side with the people who worked on the anime for a TV Show version, I think there is potential there

[@SamuraiMookieYT]

Hah!!! I said the same thing. It makes total sense to flesh out the manga over 6 or 7 seasons and build up all the characters. If it was given an effort and direction like Stranger Things (which ironically was inspired by Akira) would work perfectly. Good call sir...

[@StuberTheUber]

If they we're doing an westernized Akira movie, I'd rather it be CGI or animated being directed by Genndy Tartakovsky with the studio who did Spiderman: Into the Spider Verse.

[@jashardwallington]

Or just make something original

[@tonymata8070]

Unfortunately the director of Thor: Love and Thunder is directing the live action adaptation of Akira.

[@JoeChillton]

Pulled out. That's the story everyone tries to get this out of the gate. I think adapting the manga could be a decent alternative but put the best you can find on it. Not someone like Taika who takes nothing seriously

[@Pikminiman]

I had no idea this IP had so many potential movie adaptations. Very interesting video.

[@buffaloblack1216]

Whether we like it or not, they ARE going to make one. Having Taika attached is a good step.. The next will be the casting choices.

[@cronosxxx1010matrixx]

quentin tarantino, i want a flashy kill bill style remake, also james gunn would pull off the containment department section so well

[@terabitez3374]

Ah yes Chris evans my favorite Japanese actor why do live action adaptations change the story to entirely fit in America

[@noemiarmas5773]

Akira Kurosawa and Kiiara Lila Hamanda Carrera RYANDISON MADISON BEER and RYAN POTTER

[@trashboat5388]

I think a live action Akira isn’t a terrible idea. They just need to stop westernizing things.

[@davidcox5998]

But it would be difficult to represent the source material of the manga accurately

[@trashboat5388]

@@davidcox5998 would it? The source is pretty grounded besides the giant mutant cum monster

[@greentokyo]

Great video and summary!! And also glad none of them got made, especially that dude who said he didnt like japanese characters!! That one looked the worst and was being made by a person who didnt even like the original material!! WTF were they thinking!!???

[@gne8637]

Man ngl I kinda wanna see this like a Anita battle angel style instead of full blown live action

[@-Siculus-Hort-]

They are gonna try it again...Neo Manhattan.

[@caramwigdorsky]

Please dont touch the gretest animated ever to be made

[@onlinecommentator2616]

It would definitely be interesting to see what it would look like.

[@laurencelikestopgun]

I think a six or eight part mini-series done by the team behind HBO's Westworld could work

[@minhtran2160]

The movie "Chronicle" is the closest we will get to an Akira live action movie, and I am totally fine with that. Akira does not need a live action adaptation, and definitely not a westernize adaptation. Just watch chronicle. kzbin.info/www/bejne/eGbZiaWJqNukp9U

[@obiwancc]

Honestly, the Ruari Robinson doesn't seem too bad. Granted, all we have are storyboards and one clip of actual footage, but judging by them, it looked like they were really trying to make it accessible to the common American audience while also staying true to the feel of the original story. With some adjustments (mainly with the casting they wanted), I feel like it could've been decent. Then again, there isn't anything from the script revealed, so I guess I can't say too much.

[@tarzanoru5627]

6:55 that's Akira, not tetsuo. just wanted to point that out

[@pvtspeedy3613]

it’s always fucking warner brothers thank god it’s discovery now hopefully they can pick up all the slack they have done now as wb discovery

[@davidcox5998]

Minecraft movie

[@tbg_dies_1st494]

Akira does not work as a film. Much like the problem Disney is going to encounter with X-men. Warner Bros being that they’re concerned about budget should look to turning Akira into a limited series over multiple seasons for their deal with HBO Max.

[@Cybersnake-he4zr]

Just watched the movie and damn it’s incredible

[@David-dc3nk]

Taika Waititi wants Japanese actors or actors who have Japanese ancestry in them in the cast but WB has been giving Taika a hard time about this.

[@theamazingbiff]

It was a bold idea to consider, but nothing could possibly measure up to the original. As soon as they say it had to be PG 13, the project had to be euthanized. A PG 13 version would just be an insult.

[@RebelWvlf]

Well, they are planning to make a movie after all. Funny thing tho is that movie production starts this year, just one day before anime movie is published 31 years ago. It will be released in 2021. and Taika said that he will adapt whole manga into trilogy instead of remaking anime movie. Either it will be absolute disaster OR it will be genuinely good like Alita: Battle Angel. I personally have very low hope, considering that most live-action adaptations were dumpster fire.

[@JamesRBentley]

Excellent video. Clearly the people who previously attempted to adapt this had no understanding of why the original Manga and Anime are so timeless and beloved. The concern relating to the characters being one dimensional is ridiculous, and none of the proposed changes sound as though they would have addressed this. It’s a shame, a properly executed Akira live action movie would be incredible, especially if it was based on the graphic novels and encompassed the full storyline.

[@moisesdanielalvarado5578]

I would like to see a live action Akira Movie and also I'd like to see an animated series of the Akira Manga so that means episodes of the Anime from the Graphic novel

[@Enzo_is_Tired]

There is an Akira anime in the works. It was announced earlier this year.

[@akfreed6949]

Over 10 years ago Leonardo DiCaprio bought the live action movie rights for AKIRA .

[@studdedzombie]

I am going to get a ton of flak here but I woudnt have minded seeing Robinsons vision of the film. The guy seemed like a genuine fan. Changes aside.

[@Asiandynamo]

Get M Night Shamelame to direct it.

[@rolandkatsuragi]

13:36 That's an extremely ignorant viewpoint to claim *all* Japanese media have shallow characters

[@algen3682]

Stranger things totally couldn't keep it's hands out of the Akira cookie jar.

[@roberthipolito1351]

I'd prefer a good filmmaker to take the lead, because really is you look at some of the best adaptations of anything, they were good because the creators loved the source material and wanted to make it good, not because he was "brought in". Sam Raimi with Spider-Man, Christopher Nolan with the Dark Knight trilogy, and more recently James Cameron & Robert Rodriguez with Alita.

[@Juggernogger64]

I really want james Cameron or the director of Blade runner 2049 to direct, produce, and write the script for the film, and most importantly, keep it rated *R*

[@roberthipolito1351]

Juggernogger64 YES

[@repost_6337]

You should do more of these type of vids of adaptions not being made

[@aidan2479]

Seven figures to put it on the shelf - cast some unknowns, an artsy director and some miniatures for the neon and get something out of the wasted cash

[@MbahMu9829]

Be thankful. We just dodged another bastardization of anime by Holywood. Anime just don't and shouldn't mix with Holywood

[@DemonicRemption]

@severusfartus9829 I'm afraid I've got some bad news... Word has it Taika Waititi's looking to make a live action Akira film.

[@attackofthecopyrightbots]

and shit why even make this movie in general since we already have chronicle

[@neonkenomi320]

Denis Villeneuve is the only valid director who can salvage this project.

[@Limit5482]

It’s happening boys 👍

[@davidcox5998]

It got cancelled again.

[@vampkitty03]

As a random update, they're are currently developing an Akira live action remake with ummm Leonardo DiCaprio. :/

[@anthonydelarosa]

scvm_ fvxk he’s producing

[@Featinwe]

"The duo best known for writing Children of Men and Marvel's Iron Man - which both are pretty good" - pretty good?! (yeah, MGS pun intended). Are you kidding me? Iron Man kicked-off the biggest franchise ih history of cinema and Children of Men is considered to be one of the best (if not THE best) Sci-Fi movies in history of cinema... anyway, I wonder how Waiti's Akira vision ends up...

[@bakedrigatoni1344]

Come today, when it's been confirmed that production is finally starting

[@tiffany-chan1235]

Yes! I've also heard that they're going for the brother concept and Manhattan as a setting

[@davidcox5998]

It never got finished…not even now.

[@EasyCartoonDrawingTutorials]

The storyboards are decent at least. How the would be translated into reality, that's another story..

[@hunnybunny2708]

Tbh i dont need live action all i need is anime series following manga timeline

[@Enzo_is_Tired]

That's actually happening with Otomo directing it. Was announced years ago.

[@mechajay3358]

​@@Enzo_is_TiredHas there been any update on that?

[@4danieltorresjr]

Get the people who worked on BladeRunner 2049 especially the cinematographer, practical and cgi crew. Get an Asian cast and set the story in neo Tokyo. It could work if Warner Bros could stop being so cheap

[@lostSkyRyu]

they should just take the basic concept of it and make one... making it "live-action" will just ruin the both things..

[@HSB819]

Okay so after watching this vid, which was very informative btw great job, I can say that these attempts would have been pretty poorly recieved, these ideas show a few of the clichés you see in American anime live action remakes, making it PG13 despite the fact that the story has very intense or gory imagery, whitewashing most of the cast apart from ken wantanabe, changing the ages aswell as relationships of the main characters, changing the location of the movie itself so they could film somewhere recognisable like NYC, the budget being nowhere big enough to truly realise the film, changing names of characters so they sound more acceptable to a global audience. I'm sorry but a PG13 Akira just doesnt work, this film is a mix of edgy cyberpunk and grotesque body horror and that just doesn't go into a film that's rated PG13, although that ending with tetsuo does make me wonder, if it ends with him not mutating at the end of the first film, does that mean he just wouldn't mutate at all or would that sequel they mentioned begin with him mutating, ironically the ending shot of him being worshipped as a god is pretty haunting to think about, would he have gone on to destroy the world or would he stop fighting himself, afterall the original ending is him being unable to calm down and pushing his power so much that he becomes a monster, it's pretty amazing how they attempted multiple times to make this movie and yet multiple times their attempts get shut down, whether they made too many changes, Warner brothers being unwilling to give it a decent budget, or it just not sounding like a good idea. Also aging the characters up just doesn't work for me, I like that fact that these are teenagers since it makes them feel more vulnerable and hopefully with more personality, I feel aging them up to their mid 30s would make the final moments alot less impactful especially since tetsuo destroying the city is literally a teenager in a bad mood with no regard for others, if they tried to have a rational adult do that it would feel a bit unrealistic. Tbh in my opinion, this film doesn't need to be remade, it's already an incredible film with a massive impact on not only anime but how people outside of Japan see animation, ironically enough, if you want to see a good live action recreating of the scene of tetsuo destroying the city with telekinesis, I would highly recommend the movie chronicle, if they were going to recreate Akira I'd recommend they take some inspiration of that

[@alexlefay]

Let's trust development hell to keep it far from Hollywood hands 🥰

[@yakadoodledongywongy8718]

Set it Britain with mods and rockers in future. Change the bikes to futuristic scooters. NEO - LONDON

[@myristicina.]

Nooo

[@dishonesthonest1327]

But now it’s happening

[@dareyr172]

I would rather see a live action version of the anime

[@angstygoblinentertainment1097]

Thank god.

[@attackofthecopyrightbots]

hes kinda right about them being two dimensional...

[@levihelm453]

Fucking hell it would be epic as all hell

[@Fugettaboutit]

Maybe Cameron if he wasn't so tied up with the next four Avatars or whatever.

[@matteagle6914]

sounds awful. the only thing i could maybe see is a 3d animated movie..out of japan.

[@emiliaortiz5088]

i like the idea

[@bmoneybesteves]

Well good I don’t need no American adaptation

[@leonardarola]

By the gods and and all the black holes in the universe; DO NOT TOUCH AKIRA. It's perfect as is. No white washing this masterpiece. Them guys already destroyed ghost in the shell....

[@MetropolisPictures]

Shit dude, looks like we had the same idea.

[@markrodriguez7437]

This video will be viral within 3 years

[@Enzo_is_Tired]

It just got indefinitely delayed.

[@michaelriggin5005]

KEEP IT ALL ORIGINAL, IF NOT JUST CALL IT ANOTHER MOVIE, CALL IT ANOTHER NAME, AKIRA DOESN'T DESERVE IT BE TREATED LIKE THAT, MAN,

[@scottturcott1710]

Netflix should pick this up

[@attackofthecopyrightbots]

lol im kinda angry someone hasnt animated the worst akira script yet

[@bygsyxx4271]

it's A-KEE-ra....not Acura....the 2nd one is a Honda brand...js

[@davidcox5998]

Ehh I mean he’s learning.

[@georgeso-hx5pn]

Just imagine what Woke Hollywood would do to this masterpiece!!!

[@8-bitoctane101]

could take place in night city idk just saying

[@JB_EDITS927]

Just give Akira to Steven Spielberg he’ll make it a masterpiece 😂

[@chinahatchild3030]

John Belardo Meh he ain’t doing se well rn, I think his magic might be running out with sci-fi action films. I honestly think the only director who can possibly do well is Denis Villeneuve, he’s been doing amazingly so far with an amazing adaptation of Blade Runner 2049.

[@roberthipolito1351]

Uh no, fucked up A.I. which was given to him by great Stanley Kubrick himself, he fucked up War or the Worlds, Minority Report was just ok and quite forgetable today, and he also fucked up Ready Player One which didn't have that great of a source material anyway, but still had lots of potential. He probably will never finish that Halo series he announced, and even if he did it'll be another fuck up. And yeah I agree, Denis Villenueve would be an alright choice, Arrival was an adaptation of a short story perfectly translated to film, and just look at BR 2049. The guy has a talent at understanding the core themes and essence of shit he's adapting or making a sequel to. Although he makes movies that maybe mainstream audiences with short term attention spans might not enjoy; but damn his action scenes are so tense, brutal and realistic.

[@nohi8945]

Is any of you watch anime Akira?It is confusing mess.I think it's possible to make a live-action that is better than anime,but better than manga?Hmm...NO

[@kimjasug2095]

I HOPE THEY WON'T MAKE IT AS LIVE ACTION....!!!!! Not tokyo, not real japanese.....WTF?! WHY THEY ALL SET THIS AS A AMERICA VERSION?!!! IT MAKES ME PISSED OFF!!

[@mrkaji8913]

1:26 1991

[@timbottman3479]

this was just terrible, no good. I am so glad that never become a reality!

[@NenekAtuk89]

😄🤣😂 Tetsuo and Kaneda to be played by white actors😄🤣😂

[@davidcox5998]

Ahh yes…Asians played by white people. The reason Ghost in the Shell 2017 version sucked.

[@manomain5410]

If I were to make this movie the General would be John cena

[@miatortelllini4049]

I kinda wouldn't want celebrity actors, just feels off.

[@williemaynor7530]

If they f up the bike the movie will flop 😜