The live-action version of Akira is currently on hold, shelved for now over budgetary issues at Warner Bros. In January, director Jaume Collet-Serra was well into pre-production up in Vancouver until development came to a halt.
Today, io9 landed some storyboards (“Do Not Distribute” – they say) from the film that reveal elements that scream – yes, this is indeed “Akira.” You’ve got motorcycles, the military and a big bubble-shaped explosion. It appears they were on the right track.
Garrett Hedlund of TRON: Legacy was the only confirmed cast member and he was likely playing the blond fella you see in the art below. Helena Bonham Carter, Ken Wattanabe and Kristen Stewart were reportedly circling roles.
Sylvain Despretz (Gladiator) is responsible for the art.
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