"Akira" Live Action Film Getting Rewrite

Anime News Network is reporting that writer Steve Kloves, whose written most of the Harry Potter films as well as The Wonder Boys and The Fabulous Baker Boys, has been signed on to polish up the script for the live action version of Akira that currently doesn't have a release date but has been talked bout for what seems like forever.

It looks like it's going to get out of development hell, guys.

But how good could an American version of the film be?  Back when it was announced that it was going to be released this year, Happy Harry did this video showing one way the film could get "Americanized:"

I honestly hope they don't take the American public for idiots on this one.  The anime is a classic -- a bad live action adaptation would just ruin that.

Memorable Character: Tetsuo Shima

Name: Tetsuo Shima
Seen In: Akira
His Story: Tetsuo and his best friend Kaneda are memebers of the motorcycle gang The Clowns.  After he almost hits a child with his motorcycle he is captured by government soldiers, and it is discovered that he has similar mental frequencies as another child, Akira. However, upon discovery of his powers he also experiences intense physical pain, resulting in the destruction of Neo Tokyo.
Why Is He So Memorable? Tetsuo is memorable for many reasons.  In the beginning of the film, Tetsuo is a member of the Clowns, but isn't the most respected member.  Once he's captured by the government and discovers his abilities, he becomes Kaneda's nemesis.  Eventually, his own power overwhelms him.
Trivia: A live action version of the film is still in the works.  Actually, two films -- Volumes 1-3 of the mnaga will be the focus of the first film, volumes 4-6 will be the focus of the second film.

Tomorrow -- a cool character with a mysterious past fights on the side of money.

ThinkGeek Pays Tribute to "Akira"

How cool is this?

I got home from my mother's yesterday and noticed that I had gotten the new ThinkGeek catalog in the mail.  If you've ever been to ThinkGeek, you know that they have a whole bunch of cool geeky stuff there.

I started laughing when I saw the cover for the Winter/Spring 2011 catalog. Hubby, who doesn't follow anime that closely, didn't get it until I explained to him the Akira connection.