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Exclusive: A look at the live action AKIRA remake - AKIRA PART 1!
By El Mayimbe on November 7, 2008
El Mayimbe here...According to the trades, Warner Bros. will turn anime artist Katsuhiro Otomo's six-volume graphic novel "Akira" into two live-action feature films, the first of which is being fast tracked for release in summer 2009. Each feature will be based on three of the books in Otomo's series. The story takes place in New Manhattan, a metropolis that was rebuilt after being destroyed 31 years earlier. Dr. Strangefist is a huge fan of the 1988 anime and recently took a look at the script by Gary Whitta. He chimes in with his thoughts below. In the meantime, you can follow my updates on TWITTER. I am not anti-remake. They do not incense me like they do some people. In fact, I kind of like the idea when they’re done well, even if that’s not all that often, and when they are bad I generally subscribe to the notion that the original is still out there for you to watch and the remake can only increase awareness of it amongst the general movie-going population. So no harm no foul. Still, I can’t help but be a little skeptical, or at the very least nervous, when I hear that a film I love is being remade, or a book I love being adapted, and so on. Even if a remake isn’t ultimately going to take away from its source material I want it to do it justice and maybe even turn out to be something good in its own right. So as I’m sure you can imagine I was pretty damn skeptical approaching Gary Whitta’s screenplay for a live action American version of Akira, a personal favorite and easily one of the best and most influential anime films of all time. Many of you will probably be surprised to hear that the verdict is overall positive, or at least not altogether negative. In fact it’s pretty firmly somewhere in the middle. The story takes place in a burgeoning new metropolis of the future, several years after a cataclysmic event destroyed the old city that once stood in its place. Unbeknownst to most of the populace, the real cause of the event was a small boy with incredible psychic powers, part of a top secret government program attempting to harness such so called “Espers” as weapons. The project is deemed too dangerous, and the young boy – AKIRA – is put in cryogenic stasis in a secret underground facility to prevent such a disaster from ever occurring again. In probably the most significant change and the only one that really bugged me, the events of this version are shifted from Tokyo to New York – but after the city is destroyed and the United States’ economy collapses, burgeoning superpower Japan buys the devastated island to construct a new city to house their ever expanding population. So the film will still technically be set in New Tokyo, but on the island of Manhattan, and with about half the characters being American and the rest remaining Japanese. It’s a somewhat odd way of appealing to American audiences and fans alike, and feels somewhat awkward, but does allow for some up to date political commentary. In the ruins of the surrounding boroughs live KANEDA and TRAVIS, two young men who became good friends after being orphaned by the disaster and have since looked out for each other. They are now part of a biker gang called the Red Devils, which tries to maintain the peace in the lawless, neglected, impoverished outskirts they call home. KANEDA is the cocky leader, like a big brother to restless TRAVIS. Following a run-in with a rival gang and a chance encounter with some people smuggling a strange young boy out of the city, TRAVIS inadvertently unlocks dormant psychic abilities and KANEDA gets involved in a resistance movement attempting to stop the resurrected Espers research program, headed by the military and Vanguard, a Blackwater-esque private military contractor. SHACKLETON, an army colonel who was part of the original experiments, mainly wants to contain these powerful psychics and protect the city, while NELLIS, defense secretary in the pocket of Vanguard, wants to restart the weapons development side of the program. With the help of his new allies RAY, former Vanguard employee and leader of the resistance, and KAY, one of their former test subjects, Kaneda attempts to rescue Travis, who has been taken into custody by Shackleton and his team. Travis’ new powers are so powerful that they awaken the mind of the sleeping Akira, and Shackleton fears a repeat of the cataclysmic event that destroyed the city so many years before. Travis finds himself inexplicably drawn to Akira, and, his ego and powers spiraling out of control, he escapes from captivity and goes on a rampage of destruction trying to reach the secret facility where Akira is kept. The story becomes a race to stop him – Kaneda, Kay, and Travis’ girlfriend KAORI wanting to bring him back alive and sane, and Shackleton intent on destroying him to prevent another apocalyptic event. True to the epic scope of the original, this is only part one of two planned movies, so the script ends with a huge but intriguing cliffhanger. The people out there who demand faithfulness in adaptations and remakes should be pleasantly surprised, even if not outright delighted by this script; sure, a few elements are slightly watered-down, Hollywood-ized, Americanized – but there is no outright wrecking, ruining, or childhood raping going on here. All things considered it is shockingly faithful to the source material, at times reading like a flat-out transcript/description of the animated movie, and even incorporating aspects of the original manga that were left out of the anime version. It is faithful not only in plot and character details, but in tone. It retains the darkness, the violence, the epic qualities and even some of the themes, though they’ve been tweaked, Americanized, and updated to apply to current events. They are also maybe a bit less complex, but still this is admirable. This adaptation actually retains a lot of the style and, more surprisingly, substance of the original. If you are already a fan, you will probably like this adaptation, because a lot of the same things are good about it. The other side of that coin, though, is that it’s not bringing many fresh ideas or perspectives on the material to the table. What I love about good remakes or adaptations, what in fact makes some of them good, is that they are opportunities for artists with distinct voices and visions to take already existing works and re-interpret them, pay respect to them but use them to say new things and make them their own. There is very little of that happening here. Don’t get me wrong, as much as I’m talking about how faithful it is, a lot of that reaction is due to my surprise that it’s not a complete bastardization. We’re not exactly talking Gus Van Sant’s Psycho levels of slavishness here. But it’s not a particularly fresh take either. Neither infuriatingly dumbed-down nor invigoratingly creative and exciting, it just kind of exists - at least as a script. The big, looming unknown that remains now is if the quality of the filmmaking can not only do justice to the words on the page, but ultimately to help justify the whole thing’s existence. The original is known as much if not more so for being a stunning visual feast as it is for its story and themes, so if this project fails in that regard it will probably be a disappointment regardless of how true the script is to the source. And at the same time, I think what I’ve said above applies to currently slated director Ruiri Robinson just as much as it does to the writer; if he just apes the visual style and shots of the original it’ll get points for being faithful but won’t be very exciting or interesting. It’s going to need to look just as good, but at the same time different to really stand apart from the other version, at least in the eyes of this fan. Having said all of this, I’ll add that I’d still rather have a finished product that hews very close to prior incarnations and maybe doesn’t have a lot to say on its own than one that hopelessly dumbs down or simply discards everything that made the original a classic – and of course, that all depends on how things pan out in part two. If this script is an indication of the direction in which this project is headed, and if it indeed stays on this path, than I think it will yield something that fans will find satisfying overall and which also potentially has a lot of appeal to newcomers. I’m trying to put myself in the shoes of someone who hasn’t seen or maybe even heard of Akira before and I’m thinking that this would strike me as pretty awesome stuff. As a remake it may not be necessary, but then again what really is when we’re talking about entertainment? Grade: B
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Comments
something Sat Dec 27 at 16:26 EST
a flat-out transcript/description its not a bad thing when original is a genious piece of work!
Author: rado | Permalink
doesn't look that faithful to me.. Tue Nov 18 at 23:14 EST
Quote: "Following a run-in with a rival gang and a chance encounter with some people smuggling a strange young boy out of the city, TRAVIS inadvertently unlocks dormant psychic abilities" "Travis" (*shutter*) was subject to government experimentation leading to the awakening of Akira-like powers.. (cue the nipple-hardening awesomeness of the escape-from-hospital scene) It wasn't 'inadvertent' and the powers were not technically 'dormant' either. This leads me to believe his injuries from the high-speed motorcycle explosion -- and the subsequent government kidnapping -- was rewritten! Now, I haven't read the manga, but i've watched my pioneer dub enough to see that this adaption must be more akin to the manga for the article writer to say it's a faithful rewrite. The name change is certainly an issue for the hardcore fanboys (silly, but true), my two cents say either switch it back to TETSUO, or Americanize every name. While sleeping with an Akira poster above my bed hardly qualifies me to criticize this screenplay review -- or anything at all -- my nerd patois makes me want to scream "MORE FANSERVICE PL0X"
Author: Rich | Permalink
wow Sat Nov 15 at 11:14 EST
wow you guys are really bitching here we have a script that is faithful to the manga say a few changes and you all are focusing on a name change that is more likely to change during production
Author: brian | Permalink
As a big fan of the manga, I'm hopeful for this movie. It sounds like its getting the right treatment - at least in terms of the script, at this point. I'll be watching the progress on this project for sure.
Author: Dorkas | Permalink
I hope they pick a good actor for Kaneda. It'll be nice to see a strong Asian male lead in a blockbuster type movie. They gotta get someone really damn charming though, cos the character of Kaneda is kind of a dick, but still likeable.
Permalinkgive it a chance
PermalinkHeh Sat Nov 08 at 10:52 EST
It's so stupid how they keep trying to make up petty reasons for changing the premises and backdrops of a movie. There're two reasons: american producers catering to american viewers, and american viewers instantly discarding anything not made in the US, for the US, by the US. Yes, it's generalizing, but it's a sad fact. Sure, there are exceptions, but they only underscore the general rule.
Author: Morghus | Permalink
New From Google Blogs Sat Nov 08 at 10:17 EST
as well as some of their other new releases... It's the style and look of it thats off-putting....
Author: New From Google Blogs | Permalink
big deal Sat Nov 08 at 09:28 EST
The anime was a piece of crap. Sure it was pretty, assaulted the senses but the story sucked as do the fanbois who are busy slapping mr happy against the keyboard reading this. I'm sure this remake will suck harder than they do at life. This is just more proof that a) hollywood has no fresh ideas b) remaking crap into worse crap is profitable with today's dumb kids willing to shell out $$$ for anything 'anime' related.
Author: Tetsuro | Permalink
Happy to hear it Sat Nov 08 at 09:20 EST
Never watched the original anime, but a friend told me the premise. I want to see this movie, I need a good, violent, thriller. It has been too long alrready.
Author: MrSammich | Permalink
Wow Sat Nov 08 at 07:42 EST
That is truly amazing! Jess www.anolite.echoz.com
Author: Jess Wilder | Permalink
Doesn't make sense... Sat Nov 08 at 03:55 EST
At first I thought that was a good twist for making it Neo Tokyo but then I realized it doesn't make sense at all. Akira caused the accident, but he wouldn't even be there unless the Japanese were experimenting on him in the US. Then it turns the whole thing into an evil Japanese experiment on US soil when that wasn't even an issue in the original.
Author: JC | Permalink
Doesn't make sense... Sat Nov 08 at 03:54 EST
At first I thought that was a good twist for making it Neo Tokyo but then I realized it doesn't make sense at all. Akira caused the accident, but he wouldn't even be there unless the Japanese were experimenting on him in the US. Then it turns the whole thing into an evil Japanese experiment on US soil when that wasn't even an issue in the original.
PermalinkOh wow Sat Nov 08 at 02:24 EST
They should have just left everything the way it was and adapt it straight to movie. I'm pretty sure the masses are diverse enough and smart enough to accept the fact that the whole thing takes place in japan and by extension the names are Japanese. dumbing down the plot, characters and setting is like calling the average joe an idiot while simultaneously spitting in the faces of die hard fans. also SPOILERS: The DBZ movie is going to suck. HARD. I'm not even going, giving them my money will only encourage them to rape my favorite series.
Author: Red | Permalink
For the love of Christ... Fri Nov 07 at 22:37 EST
The bitching about the name change of "Tetsuo" to 'Travis", is almost as bad as all the complaining about Goku being played by a white dude in the new Dragon Ball movie. No, scratch that, its WORSE! I for one am looking forward to seeing this. I always like to see new interpretations on a classic story, and I usually reserve any and all negative opinions until AFTER Ive seen the film and had a chance to take everything in.
Author: ImpulseKid86 | Permalink
Caprio rumor was always bogus Fri Nov 07 at 21:23 EST
Leonardo DiCaprio's *production company* bought the live-action rights to Akira; that was all the initial reports actually said. It was fans who took that idea, leapt to the conclusion that DiCaprio was going to cast himself in the movie, and started rending their shirts and wailing. But there was never any official report of him being cast in it at all, let alone as one of the young main characters. (And I'm not quite sure what the hate on for Leo was all about, anyway. Yes, he's likely too old now to play Kaneda or Tet, uh, Travis, but if you actually look at anything the man's done in the last decade, he's a pretty good actor.)
Author: Watts | Permalink
hell yeah Fri Nov 07 at 19:13 EST
It is going to be faithifal to the manga is it?
Author: cjadzog | Permalink
A rose by any other name Fri Nov 07 at 18:42 EST
C'mon guys who hate 'Travis'... The names of the characters doesn't make Akira awesome, the story does. If the film faithfully represenents the point of the story, it'll be awesome. If it sucks, it'll be because they lost sight of the plot; not because they changed 'Tetsuo' to 'Travis'. Grow up.
Author: KANEDAAAA | Permalink
Twitter Fri Nov 07 at 17:24 EST
"Follow me on Twitter".... what's your Twitter name?
PermalinkOH BOY! part duex Fri Nov 07 at 14:18 EST
And even Marvel are using anime artist's to do there cartoon movies as well Invincible Ironman was totally Anime art! as well as some of their other new releases... It's the style and look of it thats off-putting.... I don't know....Whatever......It sells so f-it I guess
Author: 420band | Permalink
OH BOY! Fri Nov 07 at 14:15 EST
GREAT, NOW I'VE GOT TO HEAR ABOUT ANIME FROM MOVIE GOERS AS WELL (that sucks) I cant get into it I'm sorry!, they all look like speedracer with the huge eyes and such...Dont get me wrong , The stories are somewhat original,the artwork is great,and the violence is seriously amped up but, Theres something about it.... Just cant get into it! Well maybee some of the porn stuff(but just a little)
Author: 420band | Permalink
oi vey Fri Nov 07 at 14:09 EST
"The problem with remakes is that, most people - mainstream people - don't not share the same values. Meaning, Joe the moronic Plumber might think that the new Omen remake is totally original concept, and won't even bother looking into the 1979s version. Like it or not, most people are just ignorant. They are not aware. Hell, there were people that I know who didn't know that The Dark Knight is a sequel." yeah, but that basically leaves things at square one. they don't know about the original, just like they didn't before, and you still do, and it will always be there to watch. the remake may be pointless in that scenario but it hasn't done any harm. not enough to get really angry at anyway.
Author: Dan | Permalink
Don't see it then... Fri Nov 07 at 14:05 EST
man..A name change and you whine like a f'ing baby. Do us all a favour and don't go, AND shut up about it as well. THis...will be impossible for you. Bet you've nevr made anything in your life.
Author: Mike | Permalink
2010 release more likely Fri Nov 07 at 13:19 EST
If they started filming and casting on this, im sure we would have heard somthing by now. Last i read was it was rumored Leo Dicaprio (sp) was to play one of the leads. Instering choice if true. Unlike you guys, i can get past techio being renamed travis with little or no problem. The Espers thing, i kinda dig, cause i dont recall the anime ever giving the psychic kids a title, but its been a while since ive watched it. Visualy, this thing has to be huge. The film should start off with a bang and end with an even bigger bang, much like the anime. How ever, i think that you have to pay tribute to the anime, get some shots that are frame for frame dead on with it, but, at the same time take it into a entirely new direction. It should be raw, gritty, viloent, and not holding back anything. Im also relunctent to call this a remake. If it were a remake, it be another anime version. this is more of an Adaptation of the books, so i can kind of view the whole akira saga as the books are the founding storyline, and the anime and live action films are both adaptations of it. That said, the anime film will forever be my prefered version since it was the version i saw first. but im willing, as a fan, to give this a shot. Also you guys have to remember, sometimes u have to adapt things to fit a new medium. What might work perfect in an anime film, wont always translate over well into live action. Same is true for what might work great on the pages of a manga or a comic, not might work so well on anime or film!
Author: Yourbigpalal83 | Permalink
Tetsuo!!!!!!!! Fri Nov 07 at 12:54 EST
Travis!!!!!!!! Nope, it just doesn't work...
Author: sam | Permalink
The problem with remakes is that, most people - mainstream people - don't not share the same values. Meaning, Joe the moronic Plumber might think that the new Omen remake is totally original concept, and won't even bother looking into the 1979s version. Like it or not, most people are just ignorant. They are not aware. Hell, there were people that I know who didn't know that The Dark Knight is a sequel.
Author: oi vey | Permalink
WTF Fri Nov 07 at 10:52 EST
TRAVIS????!!! There is No Way I will see this now. I love the manga and the anime and own the original on vhs and the new release in the awesome metal tin. With that simple name change they have lost me being interested in this at all!!
Author: Syko | Permalink
Release in 2009? Fri Nov 07 at 00:52 EST
Do you mean to be filmed then? Because if it's for 2009, they should have started filming last summer.
Author: Just Me | Permalink