Live-Action Akira Movie Moving Forward, But It Might Be A Comedy
Although the Akira movie has been shelved for years, Taika Waititi's Star Wars movie has been put on hold so the director can return to the Akira project.
Taika Waititi has been attached to direct a live-action Akira movie, adapted from the iconic manga series, for years. As the project stalled in development, details have been scarce until now. Deadline reporter Justin Kroll revealed that the Marvel Studios alum is working on the film with a script making its way into the studio very soon.
“My guess is Taika’s next movie is his Akira movie at Warner Bros, which he put on the shelf to do Thor: Love and Thunder,” Kroll wrote on social media in response to questions about the director’s upcoming Star Wars project. “He never left the film, and word is script should be into studio soon,” he continued. He also noted that nothing is official as the project still needs a proposed budget before it’s approved.
Created by Katsuhiro Otomo, Akira is a cyberpunk classic set in a dystopian version of Neo-Tokyo in 2019. Whether or not the Akira movie will follow the same plot is yet to be confirmed, but the story follows a biker gang member named Kaneda, who tries to save his friend Tetsuo from a government experiment that gives him incredible psychic powers. The story touches on friendship, power, corruption, and the consequences of playing God.
The live-action Akira movie was met with excitement and skepticism from fans as the story’s themes and visuals are deeply tied to animation. But with Taika Waititi at the helm, folks have been cautiously optimistic about the project. The director is known for his irreverent sense of humor and ability to balance comedy with heart-wrenching drama.
Taika Waititi’s unique style of humor can be both absurd and poignant, as he tackles serious subjects with fun, making them more accessible and enjoyable for audiences, and it will be interesting to see how this translates to the Akira movie. One of his most well-known films, Hunt for the Wilderpeople, perfectly exemplifies his ability to blend comedy and drama. The story follows Ricky, who is sent to live with a foster family in the New Zealand countryside.
When his foster aunt suddenly dies, Ricky goes on the run with his foster father. The pair develops an unlikely bond as they try to evade the authorities. The film is hilarious and heartwarming, with Waititi’s signature humor providing moments of levity amidst the more serious themes of grief and loss. Other examples of Waititi’s blend of comedy and drama can be found in Jojo Rabbit and his work with the MCU.
Thor: Ragnarok is filled with jokes and comedic moments but also deals with themes of family and sacrifice. His unique sense of humor adds a layer of accessibility, so seeing how Waititi’s signature style will be reflected in the upcoming Akira movie will be exciting. Since he’s also a massive fan of the original manga and the anime film, fans are hopeful he will do the source material justice.
While it’s still unclear how Waititi may adapt the story for the Akira movie, he could focus on the friendship between Kaneda and Tetsuo, which is essentially the heart of the written series. The director could also explore its political themes, which include the government’s relationship with the people.
