Earlier this month it was confirmed that Garret Hedlund has signed on to play Kaneda in the Warner Bros. adaptation of the Akira anime. This film has a budget of $90 mil. and will be directed by the guy who brought us Orphan, Jaume Collet-Sera. Kirsten Stewart has apparently been offered the role of Ky (Kei) Reed but no word as to whether she has accepted yet. Warner is also rumored to be courting Helena Bonham Carter and Kiera Knightley. Rumours were swirling about Gary Oldman, as well, although now it’s being reported that the studio couldn’t get Oldman to agree on anything so they’re trying to get Ken Watanabe for the role of the Colonel.
Warner apparently wants to have the part of Tetsuo cast before Thanksgiving (4 days – tick tock). Here are some of the ones up for the role:
Richard Madden, who plays Robb Stark on Game of Thrones (maybe a good choice),
Michael Pitt who’s currently on Boardwalk Empire,
Rami Malek of The Pacific and most recently Breaking Dawn
Toby Kebbel of Prince of Persia
Paul Dano of Cowboys & Aliens
Logan Marshall Green of Devil & Prometheus
D.J. Cotrona of Detroit 1-8-7 and G.I. Joe 2
I’m seeing a pattern at least as far as looks goes. They’re obviously looking for someone with very distinctive facial features. Of course to some, Asians in particular, these facial features aren’t quite distinctive enough. Specifically, some fans are up in arms over the production’s plans to cast all caucasians in this film. George Takei, the original Sulu from Star Trek tweeted this earlier this year: “Akira epic fail–all actors up for Kaneda & Tetsuo are white? Sign & RT the petition here: http://ow.ly/4ALY4″ Even some children are upset about it…
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