Just heard the news. Not sure what to make of it.
Regardless of being westernised in itself which is a concern, the fact that Dicaprio in particular is doing it may bother a lot of people, but not me. The cunt can act really well, and unlike many actors who become huge in Hollywood he generally makes good choices on what movies to work on.
I might not enjoy every one of his movies, but I don't recall seeing any that have left me feeling embarrassed for him. Can't say the same for several others.
More noticably a pro than a con, Katsuhiro Otomo is a executive producer. They generally have more funding rights than creative ones, but given it's him I'm sure he will have a degree of creative control.
What bothered me most is how americanised they intend on making it. I suppose it's natural, if Hollywood want to produce it it would be very difficult and not in their interests to make it in Japan. Even so, no matter how many times I read this it doesn't get any easier. I'm sure most Akira fans would agree.
The first live-action film is scheduled for release in the summer of 2009 and will move the story's setting to "'New Manhattan,' a city rebuilt after being destroyed 31 years ago.
New Manhattan.... yeeeeah. Maybe the should just change the title to
Alex or
Albert as well.
On the bright side, when the movies are finally released, the cult following of the Akira anime and manga will probably skyrocket for a few months, and Otomo will be able to enjoy a new wave of royalties.