Director David R. Ellis taking aim at 'Kite'

The controversial anime 'Kite' was released in 1998.

"Shark Night 3D" director David R. Ellis is looking to adapt the anime film "Kite" into a live-action thriller.

According to Variety, Ellis is set to direct with Anant Signh and Brian Cox producing under their Distant Horizon banner.

"Kite," directed by Yasuomi Umetsu, was released in 1998. The story follows Sawa, who is orphaned after her parents are murdered. Raised by the detectives who investigated her parents' murder, she is trained to be a ruthless assassin. When she meets another assassin her own age, they bond and she begins to question the motives of her guardians.

The anime film was quite controversial when it was released to due to its graphic violence and sex scenes, many involving an under-age Sawa.

This is not the first attempt to make a live-action adapation, with director Rob Cohen ("The Fast and the Furious") as well as Jorge and Javier Aguilera ("5:55") attached at various points.

Variety quoted Ellis as saying, "I am a big fan of Yasuomi Umetsu and honored to bring the amazing world of 'Kite' to the big screen."

In addition to "Shark Night 3D," Ellis has directed "Final Destination 2," "Cellular" and "Snakes on a Plane."

According to Variety, the producers are aiming for a January start-date on the project.