The Akira Live-Action Movie Reveals Major Development

The live-action adaptation of “One Piece” on Netflix is causing a splash, and it appears that numerous other franchises are now following suit. Shows like “One-Punch Man”, “Mobile Suit Gundam”, “Naruto”, and “My Hero Academia” are preparing to launch their own live-action adaptations. However, there’s an anime story that Hollywood has been pursuing for a long time. Previously, Warner Bros had been developing a live-action Akira film with director Taika Waititi, but it seems the deadline has passed as Warner Bros no longer holds the rights to the futuristic dystopian tale, which have reverted back to the original manga’s creators.

Warner Bros has spent numerous years trying to develop their own live-action version of Katsuhiro Otomo’s works, with multiple attempts made over several decades. The latest projects, involving director Taika Waititi from Thor: Ragnarok and What We Do In The Shadows, have been connected to these efforts. However, Warner Bros has not confirmed whether they will give up the rights for this project. Interestingly, the original manga publisher Kodansha has declared their capacity to produce a potential live-action film. It’s uncertain if the Akira movie being proposed at Warner Bros Discovery will be the final adaptation, but history shows that unexpected events often occur in the anime industry.

The Positive Akira Update of 2025

Previously this year, Andrew Lazar, associated with Warner Bros’ Neo-Tokyo project, mentioned there was no progress on the film but hinted at potential future developments. Lazar expressed in an interview with Moovy TV that he anticipated an update within a few months. It’s unclear if his comments pertained to this rights transfer, but if Kodansha decides to sell live-action rights again, it’s worth considering whether Warner Bros might seek an extension or decide to end the project.

2002 saw Warner Bros acquiring the rights for the film, initially intending for director Stephen Norrington to lead the project. Despite numerous attempts over the years, Legendary Pictures joined forces with Warner Bros to finance the production, with Leonardo DiCaprio expressing interest in producing the adaptation. Regrettably, these components seemed insufficient to turn the vision into a reality at Warner Bros, even though Warner Bros Japan had been successful in adapting anime properties for live-action.

2019 saw an unexpected twist when series creator Katsuhiro Otomo announced his intention to continue the saga of Akira with a fresh anime installment. Since then, details about the project have been scarce. As we wait for updates, the enduring legacy of Neo-Tokyo continues to shape and inspire the world of anime.

Via THR

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2025-06-28 01:40