After having James Franco, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Robert Pattinson, and Michael Fassbender all circle the live-action take on the mega-popular Japanese manga Akira, it looks like Warner Bros. is zeroing in on Keanu Reeves as its star.
Set to be directed by Albert Hughes (one half of the sibling team behind Menace II Society and Dead Presidents), Akira would find Reeves playing the role of Kaneda, a part previously link to High School Musical's Zac Efron (seriously). Die-hard fans of Katsuhiro Otomo's manga are undoubtedly going to hate the fact that the whitewashed characters are 30 years older than his characters are in print. Another major alteration in the movie's script transfer the action from Neo-Tokyo to New Manhattan.
The other main role, that of Tetsuo, has previously been linked to the aforementioned Pattinson, but the Twilight star is not mentioned by The Hollywood Reporter, hinting at a change of heart within the studio. Which we support.
Despite its complex, densely packed storyline, Akira has helped to fuel the growth of anime's popularity outside of Japan. All that's left to ask is this: Does the 47-year-old Reeves has enough legs to make Akira a Matrix-like success?
Share your thoughts below!
[Via The Hollywood Reporter]
