Ken Watanabe offered Colonel role in Akira
We don't know much about the Colonel character, but it is believed he is running the military experiments on Tetsuo. The story centers on Kaneda (Garrett Hedlund), the leader of a New Manhattan biker gang who tries to rescue his friend Tetsuo from these experiments. It isn't known yet if Ken Watanabe will accept the offer, although he is the first Japanese actor to be approached for this live-action adaptation of Katsuhiro Ôtomo's Japanese manga.
Jaume Collet-Serra is directing Akira from a screenplay by Albert Torres and Steve Kloves. It isn't known when production may begin on Akira yet.
We also reported earlier this month, that Gary Oldman is being sought for another Warner Bros. project, Arthur & Lancelot. Perhaps Akira's loss could be Arthur & Lancelot's gain.
Akira comes to theaters in 2013 and stars Garrett Hedlund, Kristen Stewart, Ken Watanabe. The film is directed by Jaume Collet-Serra.
Comments (16)
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skywise
I just hope the rumors of Kristin Stewart as Kei are false...or that she at least realizes she is NOT Kei and turns it down.
6 months agoby @skywiseFlag
skywise
He is an amazing actor. I know that The last Samurai was a disaster but he made that movie at least watchable. That is saying a lot. He would be perfect for the Colonel. I have been thinking about who they would cast for that role. Its a very multifaceted role and he is the perfect man to pull it off.
6 months agoby @skywiseFlag
Whiskeythieves
I would like Uwe Boll to get on the action.
6 months agoby @whiskeythievesFlag
Dan
@ejk1 said my thoughts exactly.
6 months agoby @dan1Flag
Coldsun
Finally a good damn casting choice.
6 months agoby @coldsunFlag
Salem6777
finally a good actor
6 months agoby @Salem6777Flag
Cripple
Now we're talking, he should have been first choice all along.
6 months agoby @crippleFlag
CUPID
Good choice, but it still wont help, i have no fate in this live action adaptation and if this ever turns out to be a good movie i'll be the first to say i'm sorry for all the bashing....
6 months agoby @cupidFlag
SherlockHolmes2009
Very good choice
6 months agoby @SherlockHolmes2009Flag
ejk1
@bawnian-dexeus I see what you're saying, but Potter had very recognizable names attached to it as well. Sir Richard Harris, Alan Rickman, Maggie Smith, etc. made it very easy for the mainly unknown youthful entities to grow into their roles. Plus HP was made for the kids, usually an audience that doesn't need a brand name actor, just the brand name. I totally agree with you that it would be a great opportunity to be introduced to new actors, but we don't know if any of them speak English, and we don't want a Godzilla type dub here. Perhaps they could use other Asian actors and actresses for the film though. I really wouldn't mind seeing Ziyi Zhang, Michelle Yeoh, or Gong Li fill a role here. But who knows what Hollywood is thinking in regards to that idea.
6 months agoby @ejk1Flag
Bawnian©-Dexeus
@ejk1 True, we don't know many, but it could have been an opportunity for some to make their debut on the big screen in America. I mean, we didn't know most of the cast from Harry Potter, and over time we got used to them and are impossible to forget. Might not be the best movie to compare with, but new faces are always going to be needed
6 months agoby @bawnian-dexeusFlag
ejk1
And just so we're clear, this is the right thing to do. Watanabe, even if he ultimately turns down the role, should have been the first guy chosen for this role. While I realize that it would be impossible and unfeasible to make a film with only Japanese actors because of the fact that we just don't know too many of them, Watanabe is the sure thing. We in America (and the world) know Watanabe because of high profile roles in films such as Inception, Batman Begins, and The Last Samurai. This was a no-brainer, and the fact that Hollywood went to Oldman first for the role of Colonel SHIKISHIMA (read that one again and tell me how Oldman plays him over Watanabe) is a disgrace. A flat out disgrace.
6 months agoby @ejk1Flag
Bawnian©-Dexeus
Would you look at that...a Japanese actor
6 months agoby @bawnian-dexeusFlag
Robertswww
Great actor... an excellent choice that will add value to this project.
6 months agoby @robertswwwFlag
Let's Go Bub!
@ejk1 - Pretty much, this is the best news i heard from this project.
6 months agoby @Number1WolverineFlag
ejk1
Well, let's just put this in the " what the hell took so long?" category.
6 months agoby @ejk1Flag