Leo talks Akira | Movie News

Leo talks Akira
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by: Omar Aviles Nov. 11, 2008

Leonardo DiCaprio When news broke that Leonardo DiCaprio's Appian Way production company had picked up the rights to anime classics "Akira" and "Ninja Scroll", the internets was aflame with excitement that DiCaprio might slap on his best biker gear to star in the feature adaptation of "Akira". However, "Splash Page" recently spoke to DiCaprio and after confirming that he is indeed in active development on both projects - for "Akira", specifically, he's just waiting on the final draft of the script before heading into production - he mentioned that he has no plans to star in either film. His exact words, in fact, when asked if he had any interest in acting in either one, were "No, not really." So there you go people, DiCaprio won't be part of the pill popping biker gang who become embroiled in a government conspiracy nor will he be wielding a samurai sword to stop an old foe from overthrowing the Japanese government.

Source: Splash Page

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Extra Tidbit: So who would you guys like to see in lead roles in AKIRA and NINJA SCROLL?

22 discussions Expand all
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GGear0323
7:05PM on 11/12/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
in ninja scroll, i would love for Takeshi Kaneshiro to play Jubei, but alas, this wont happen if the rumors of an Onimusha movie come true.
in ninja scroll, i would love for Takeshi Kaneshiro to play Jubei, but alas, this wont happen if the rumors of an Onimusha movie come true.
 
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joel1975
5:30PM on 11/12/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Who would I like to see in the roles?
Japanese actors/actresses...



Many people (some racist WHITE fanboys on this site) are complaining about black actors in roles of Wonder Woman and Captain America...



So, in fairness, this [Ninja Scroll, Akira] should stick to the source material. Of course, since a white male is producing it, and will probably have white males in the leads--with Japanese names, no...
Japanese actors/actresses...



Many people (some racist WHITE fanboys on this site) are complaining about black actors in roles of Wonder Woman and Captain America...



So, in fairness, this [Ninja Scroll, Akira] should stick to the source material. Of course, since a white male is producing it, and will probably have white males in the leads--with Japanese names, no less--there are fanboys who don't have a problem with it.
 
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Lord Skitch
8:51AM on 11/12/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
I'd like Leo as Kaneda and Joseph Gorden Leavitt as Tetsuo! C'mon!
I'd like Leo as Kaneda and Joseph Gorden Leavitt as Tetsuo! C'mon!
 
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darkstrEam
8:38AM on 11/12/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
An Americanised Akira set in a post-nuked and rebuilt LA wouldn't be the worst idea for a film ever, if they HAVE to make a live action version and change the setting from Neo Tokyo. At least they've waited long enough for the effects capabilities to be good enough to potentially do it justice.
An Americanised Akira set in a post-nuked and rebuilt LA wouldn't be the worst idea for a film ever, if they HAVE to make a live action version and change the setting from Neo Tokyo. At least they've waited long enough for the effects capabilities to be good enough to potentially do it justice.
 
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joel1975
4:37AM on 11/12/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
s1rus
I'm sorry, but do you actually spell check before you post? Or at least check your grammer?



I know this is an internet forum, but the way one writes really says something about ones...um...'intelligence.'
I'm sorry, but do you actually spell check before you post? Or at least check your grammer?



I know this is an internet forum, but the way one writes really says something about ones...um...'intelligence.'
 
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s1rus
12:19AM on 11/12/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Who would play Jubei
Who would i love Ninja Scroll its awesome. But who would play Jubei. They could go the way of Daniel Craig and cast a black guy LOL
Who would i love Ninja Scroll its awesome. But who would play Jubei. They could go the way of Daniel Craig and cast a black guy LOL
 
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Jack Grimaldi
11:52PM on 11/11/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
First off I am 100% in agreeance with keeping it an asian cast because thats how it should be because thats how the original movie is. What white dude would be named Kaneda? or Tetsuo?(yeah no travis) I really don't want some actor like Emile Hirsch, no offense to him, but american actors would take me out of it completely. Hopefully Dicaprio and others will respect the material.
First off I am 100% in agreeance with keeping it an asian cast because thats how it should be because thats how the original movie is. What white dude would be named Kaneda? or Tetsuo?(yeah no travis) I really don't want some actor like Emile Hirsch, no offense to him, but american actors would take me out of it completely. Hopefully Dicaprio and others will respect the material.
 
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WalterKovacs
10:56PM on 11/11/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
I can't see either of these being good films. I still think WARNERS should shoot this in Japan, Japanese cast, and subtitled with an American director and crew ala LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA, just stay as faithful as possible.



But no, we'll get Channing Tatum as the lead in a movie set in New York or some shitty variation of really cool material. I've got a bad feeling about this.
I can't see either of these being good films. I still think WARNERS should shoot this in Japan, Japanese cast, and subtitled with an American director and crew ala LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA, just stay as faithful as possible.



But no, we'll get Channing Tatum as the lead in a movie set in New York or some shitty variation of really cool material. I've got a bad feeling about this.
 
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gameslave
8:37PM on 11/11/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
WOW
I can't believe this is really happening, i thought this would just keep getting swept under the rug.
I can't believe this is really happening, i thought this would just keep getting swept under the rug.
 
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Dead as History
8:26PM on 11/11/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Paltrow and Gere in Memoirs of a Geisha sounds AMMAAAZING...I smell a re-boot...





Harumpf, harumpf, harumpf...
Paltrow and Gere in Memoirs of a Geisha sounds AMMAAAZING...I smell a re-boot...





Harumpf, harumpf, harumpf...
 
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akiralives
7:20PM on 11/11/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Hello?
Are you people just total fucking hypocrites or what?

Didn't you just en masse say how Cap America and Wonder Woman should most certainly be white?

Why now is it kosher for the Asian characters in both these movies to be played by white guys?

Turnabout is fair play, so give me a fucking break already.

This would be like casting Gwyneth Paltrow and Richard Gere in...
Are you people just total fucking hypocrites or what?

Didn't you just en masse say how Cap America and Wonder Woman should most certainly be white?

Why now is it kosher for the Asian characters in both these movies to be played by white guys?

Turnabout is fair play, so give me a fucking break already.

This would be like casting Gwyneth Paltrow and Richard Gere in Memoirs of a Geisha.

C'mon JoBlo.
 
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GGear0323
7:14PM on 11/11/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
look, i have a problem with them making it at all, let alone making it take place here, let alone the whole 'Travis' thing, at this point, i guess you can say i have given up and just have to go with the flow. in any case, i see names like Emile Hirsch and JGL here alot, but, to me, it would be absolutely great if they were able to actually get older kids to actually play the parts. i know it...
look, i have a problem with them making it at all, let alone making it take place here, let alone the whole 'Travis' thing, at this point, i guess you can say i have given up and just have to go with the flow. in any case, i see names like Emile Hirsch and JGL here alot, but, to me, it would be absolutely great if they were able to actually get older kids to actually play the parts. i know it is not going to happen, but i still think it is the way it should be. and no, i am not talking about that CW-type 'kid' who gets all dolled up and the guys look just as pretty as the girls. i am talking about actual kids who can act, i am sure there are some out there. personally, i wonder how they are going to handle the deformed [link] dudes. not to mention those freaky scenes when they use their powers. i really want to see a live action version of the giant Teddy Bear, Giant Toy Car, Giant Bunny, room flooded with milk scene. that would be a visual feast.
 
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thembones
6:46PM on 11/11/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
TOO BAD
If it were 10 years ago, Leo would have been perfect for Tetsuo. These days a number of decent young actors could handle it. It's the production that's going to make this movie and you could even toss in The Beef. But it all comes down to the production.
If it were 10 years ago, Leo would have been perfect for Tetsuo. These days a number of decent young actors could handle it. It's the production that's going to make this movie and you could even toss in The Beef. But it all comes down to the production.
 
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disposablepal
6:25PM on 11/11/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
i'm kinda glad because he was too old for Akira and too american for Ninja Scroll. i still think if they are americanizing Akira then it should be Joseph Gordon Levitt as Tetsuo and Emile Hirsch as Kaneda, or vice versa. as far as Ninja Scroll goes my main choice would be Jason Statham...just kidding, i would go with Takeshi Kaneshiro. Hes half japanese, looks the part, has done plenty of...
i'm kinda glad because he was too old for Akira and too american for Ninja Scroll. i still think if they are americanizing Akira then it should be Joseph Gordon Levitt as Tetsuo and Emile Hirsch as Kaneda, or vice versa. as far as Ninja Scroll goes my main choice would be Jason Statham...just kidding, i would go with Takeshi Kaneshiro. Hes half japanese, looks the part, has done plenty of action films, and speaks perfect english.
 
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Paulie
6:12PM on 11/11/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
What?
The fans were... excited? Over what? This dork can't act. This is exciting news, though.
The fans were... excited? Over what? This dork can't act. This is exciting news, though.
 
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intothebadlands
5:38PM on 11/11/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Gael Garcia Bernal would be an awesome choice.
Gael Garcia Bernal would be an awesome choice.
 
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ginopags
5:26PM on 11/11/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
emile hirsch...
as Akira, but might be too close to Speed Racer. Ryan Gosling would be solid.
as Akira, but might be too close to Speed Racer. Ryan Gosling would be solid.
 
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outsyder
4:53PM on 11/11/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
THANK GOD.
THANK GOD.
 
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drc5145
4:50PM on 11/11/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
I still like the idea of Joseph Gordon-Levitt as either Kaneda or Tetsuo (Travis?)
I still like the idea of Joseph Gordon-Levitt as either Kaneda or Tetsuo (Travis?)
 
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BlackestNight
4:29PM on 11/11/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Leonardo DiCaprio has the face for Captain America (pending he shaves), but he doesn't have the stature or the commanding voice. He probably would've played a good Kaneda, but personally, I give respect to anyone who is offered a lead role in a movie that is guaranteed to sell out, and turns it down due to them thinking someone else can fill out the character better.
Leonardo DiCaprio has the face for Captain America (pending he shaves), but he doesn't have the stature or the commanding voice. He probably would've played a good Kaneda, but personally, I give respect to anyone who is offered a lead role in a movie that is guaranteed to sell out, and turns it down due to them thinking someone else can fill out the character better.
 
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MrPhox
4:25PM on 11/11/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
I'd like to see some relative unknown take a lead in Akira -- and surround him with bigger names. Maybe Cillian Murphy as Tetsuo, or however they Americanize it, and Kei could be played by Ellen Page.



Tony Jaa for Jubei in Ninja Scroll.
I'd like to see some relative unknown take a lead in Akira -- and surround him with bigger names. Maybe Cillian Murphy as Tetsuo, or however they Americanize it, and Kei could be played by Ellen Page.



Tony Jaa for Jubei in Ninja Scroll.
 
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John_Cusack
4:18PM on 11/11/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Too bad he won't be starring as the lead role because he would have obviously owned the role. Maybe he didn't want to star in this due to the fact that he may become Captain America.



I say cast Robert Downey Jr as Akira and Val Kilmer as Ninja Scroll....you think about it.
Too bad he won't be starring as the lead role because he would have obviously owned the role. Maybe he didn't want to star in this due to the fact that he may become Captain America.



I say cast Robert Downey Jr as Akira and Val Kilmer as Ninja Scroll....you think about it.
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