Warner Bro. shuts down 'Akira' production

"Akira" is running into trouble...again.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Warner Bros. has shut down production on the live action adaptation of the popular anime film over "casting, script and budget issues."

The remake has run around again.

Deadline is reporting that the budget, which is currently estimated to be around $90 million under director Jaume Collet-Serra ("Unknown"), is not the major stumbling block at the moment. The film was sporting a $150 million budget under former director Albert Hughes, who left the project in May.

Instead, the script seems to be the big issue now and a new writer is expected to be brought in for another take. The most recent draft was from David James Kelly, and before him "Harry Potter" scribe Steve Kloves took a stab at the remake.

The original anime film, like the manga series it was based on, follows story follows Kaneda, the leader of a motorcycle gang in Neo-Tokyo, who tries to save his friend Tetsuo from a military experiment gone awry. Kloves' version of the script reportedly moved the action from Neo-Tokyo to New Manhattan.

"Akira," if it escapes this latest setback, is expected to star Garrett Hedlund ("TRON: Legacy") as Kaneda, with Kristen Stewart ("Twilight"), possibly Ken Watanabe ("Inception") and Helena Bonham Carter ("Alice in Wonderland") all rumored to be in talks as well.

According to Deadline, the production was targeting an early March start. That is most likely no longer in the cards.

'Unknown' director Jaume Collet-Serra to take on 'Akira'

The live-action adaptation of "Akira" has a new director: Jaume Collet-Serra.

The director of "Unknown" and "Orphan," Collet-Serra replaces Albert Hughes ("The Book of Eli"), who left the project in May over "amicable creative differences."

Jaume Collet-Serr

Based on the Japanese manga series, the film is said to be moving the action from Neo-Tokyo to New Manhattan based on a script most recently polished by "Harry Potter" screenwriter Steve Kloves. The story follows Kaneda, the leader of a motorcycle gang who tries to save his friend Tetsuo from a military experiment gone awry.

The film project sparked controversy in March when a reportedly shortlist of actors under consideration for the leads was entirely white despite the source material's Japanese origin (an issue I have repeatedly downplayed). Keanu Reeves was offered the role of Kaneda but he ultimately turned it down.

Actor Leonardo DiCaprio is among the film's producers.

'Akira' loses its director

Little more than a week after actor Keanu Reeves reportedly turned down an offer to take the lead in the live-action adaptation of "Akira," the film project is losing its director.

"Akira" is without a director.

Deadline is reporting today that director Albert Hughes ("The Book of Eli") is walking away from the project over "amicable creative differences."

The report goes on to say the film remains on the fast track at Warner Bros. and a new director should be announced soon.

Based on the Japanese manga series, the film is said to be moving the action from Neo-Tokyo to New Manhattan based on a script most recently polished by "Harry Potter" screenwriter Steve Kloves. The story follows Kaneda, the leader of a motorcycle gang who tries to save his friend Tetsuo from a military experiment gone awry.

Prior to Reeves supposed involvement, reports came out in March that Hughes had shortlisted the candidates for Kaneda to Garrett Hedlund, Michael Fassbender, Chris Pine, Justin Timberlake and Joaquin Phoenix, while Robert Pattinson, Andrew Garfield and James McAvoy were in the running for Tetsuo.

"Akira" is best known in the U.S. for the 1988 anime film adaptation.

Keanu Reeves turns down role in 'Akira'

Actor Keanu Reeves will reportedly not star in the upcoming live-action adaptation of the anime "Akira."

Keanu Reeves

Digital Spy is reporting Reeves turned down the role of Kaneda, the leader of a motorcycle gang who tries to save his friend Tetsuo from a military experiment gone awry.

The remake is set to be directed by Albert Hughes ("The Book of Eli").

In March, it was reported Hughes had shortlisted the candidates for Kaneda to Garrett Hedlund, Michael Fassbender, Chris Pine, Justin Timberlake and Joaquin Phoenix, while Robert Pattinson, Andrew Garfield and James McAvoy were in the running for Tetsuo.

The 1988 anime film directed by Katsuhiro Otomo was based on the six-volume manga from Katsuhiro Otom.

The live-action film moves the action from Neo-Tokyo to New Manhattan. "Harry Potter" scribe Steve Kloves was the last writer to take a swipe at the script.

Keanu Reeves in talks to join 'Akira' live-action adaptation

Keanu Reeves ("The Matrix") is reportedly in talks to star in the upcoming live-action adaptation of the famed anime film "Akira."

Keanu Reeves

According to The Hollywood Reporter's Heat Vision Blog, Reeves's reps are talking to Warner Bros. about the actor taking on the role of Kaneda, the leader of a motorcycle gang who tries to save his friend Tetsuo from a military experiment gone awry.

In March, it was reported director Albert Hughes had shortlisted the candidates for Kaneda to Garrett Hedlund, Michael Fassbender, Chris Pine, Justin Timberlake and Joaquin Phoenix, while Robert Pattinson, Andrew Garfield and James McAvoy were in the running for Tetsuo.

The 1988 film directed by Katsuhiro Otomo was based on the six-volume manga from Katsuhiro Otom.

The live-action film moves the action from Neo-Tokyo to New Manhattan. "Harry Potter" scribe Steve Kloves was the last writer to take a swipe at the script.

Reeves was once attached to the live-action adaptation of another anime, "Cowboy Bebop," but that project has been silent since last summer. His interest here could mean the "Bebop" film is dead, or at least he is no longer connected, since I don't seem him heading up to big-named anime projects.

As for "Akira," this news will most assuredly rekindle the online angst about the project, especially over the so-called white-washing of the cast. As I said before, I consider this more of an Americanization or domestic-remake than a true adaptation. How many Japanese horror films have Hollywood done this to and nobody plays the race card? That's not to mention all of the European films which get remade. It's just how Hollywood rolls. It doesn't make them racist. Let's get some perspective folks.