Finally some movement on the live-action AKIRA front recently; first off, I’m sure we’ve all seen the report that Zac Efron may have been offered the lead role in the film, which is set to be directed by The Hughes Brothers. Whatever. I think it’s safe to say that we’re all hoping that’s just some b.s. (I’m not even very familiar with AKIRA and I’m strongly against this decision, if true.) Now another name has popped up in conjunction with the project, although once again it’s just a rumor and should be taken as such.
According to Bloody Disgusting, the incomparable Morgan Freeman is “circling” the role of the Colonel in AKIRA. You’ll remember, with a mix of emotions, surely, that Freeman played a villainous Colonel in DREAMCATCHER; even though that movie is dreadful, he was mighty entertaining in it – was fun to watch Freeman go way over the top after years of playing the wise, soft-spoken type. It’s doubtful he’d go that nutty in this one, but Freeman taking another break from being the voice of reason certainly appeals. Let’s see if it actually plays out that way.
According to Wikipedia, the Colonel is the head of the secret government project conducting research on psychic test subjects, including the Esper children, Tetsuo, and formerly Akira. Although he originally appears to be an antagonist, the Colonel is actually an honorable and dedicated soldier committed to protecting Neo-Tokyo from any second onslaught of Akira.
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