Will There Be a Live-Action 'Akira' After All?

It's not as if this is the first time there has been talk of a live-action version of the anime classic Akira. Back in 2003, a script had been written by James Robinson and Stephen Norrington signed to direct -- but that did not last long, and there hasn't been a peep out of the project since ... until now. Bloody Disgusting's sources are reporting that Warner Bros. has not given up yet on the project. Far from it, in fact; they have now hired Irish director Ruairi Robinson to helm the flick. The 29-year-old has only directed two short films so far, one of which got him nominated for an Oscar. But it was his sci-fi short The Silent City starring Cillian Murphy that got the director noticed by WB, according to BD's sources.

Akira was released back in 1988 and was based on the manga series by Katsuhiro Otomo. Based on the original storyline of the comics, Akira centered on a post-nuclear Tokyo overrun with gangs and social unrest. If you haven't seen the film, believe me, it's a pretty complicated storyline and frankly defies a quick summation. But since it is considered one of the best anime films of all time, it's worth your while to give it a viewing. According to BD's report, WB is trying to get the film off the ground pre-strike (which sounds pretty ambitious if you ask me). This is all just speculation at this point, so stay tuned until we hear something official -- or until another four years have gone by and the rumor is resurrected one more time.

[via justpressplay.net]