Unused Storyboards For WB's Live Action AKIRA Movie

Unused Storyboards For WB's Live Action AKIRA Movie

You can get a rough idea of what the live action Akira movie might have looked like with these storyboards from back when the project was a go under director Ruairi Robinson..

By MarkCassidy - Mar 22, 2012 07:03 AM EST
Filed Under: Akira
Source: io9

Concept artist Sylvain Despretz created the following storyboards for Warner Bros. live action Akira movie, back when it was in the hands of the first director to be attached, Ruairi Robinson. They don't represent a complete vision of how the movie would have turned out of course, but fans of the Manga and Anime will recognize the scenes from early on in the story. Plus, we get an idea of what the Americanized version would have looked like, a blond Kaneda etc..

Click on the images for a larger view






The current incarnation of Akira is currently on the shelf at WB, with many hoping it will just give up and die. It should certainly be a while before we hear anything from it anyway.









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triggerleo
triggerleo - 3/22/2012, 8:22 AM
First!

Tetsuo!!!!! Keneidaaaaa!!!!!!!
jazzman
jazzman - 3/22/2012, 8:24 AM
WB was so set to have Kaneda to be white. the concept artist did not even try enough to make Kaneda look asian. this is one of the reason why alot of people are upset.
thetrojan
thetrojan - 3/22/2012, 8:29 AM
why get a concept artist in????
those last panels may as wellhave come from the comic.
hey why didnt the guy just buy some whiteout ,tipp-ex or an industrial eraser and go through the comic changing the faces..only!

SCURVYDOG619
SCURVYDOG619 - 3/22/2012, 8:37 AM
TETSUOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!! lol I've got a feeling this thread is about to get rather silly...
ballstothewall
ballstothewall - 3/22/2012, 8:38 AM
I was actually hyped up for this movie. I would really like to see how it turns out,the cast is brilliant,cool director and a huge budget that would really fit in with the project.
MidKnight35
MidKnight35 - 3/22/2012, 8:43 AM
Its about $$$, the main character was going to be white because there are more white actors that can bring more attention to the movie making it more profitable than asian actors. Its the sad truth but its the business.
imnotwearinghockeypants
imnotwearinghockeypants - 3/22/2012, 8:50 AM
Boards are well done but fcuk a live action Akira movie. Forever.
MarkCassidy
MarkCassidy - 3/22/2012, 8:51 AM
Avalanche..cos the original story is Japanese..that appears to be enough for most.
RaleighAntrobus
RaleighAntrobus - 3/22/2012, 9:03 AM
@RorMachine -

It was more than just that.
ThaMessenger07
ThaMessenger07 - 3/22/2012, 9:11 AM
Because the source had a lot to do with Japanese Government lifestyle. The characters not being Japanese and not being in Tokyo is like Batman not being in a Costume & not in Gotham.

King Pin was black, while an odd decision, it didn't really matter.

The Culture, race and Setting of this film are fundamental to the story.

It's like making Captain America, Captain Germany and have him fight in Vietnam.
ThaMessenger07
ThaMessenger07 - 3/22/2012, 9:19 AM
Nothing like that Gusto...

PS. your pics with Madd from your Conjugal Visit leaked.

xfan320
xfan320 - 3/22/2012, 9:20 AM
Well, while I'm not a huge fan of some of this re-imaginings focal points, I DO think an American is totally a stellar idea, just use every race in 'Neo-Tokyo' or 'Neo York' or whatever they were gonna place the story.

I think this movie could've saved itself a lot of fanboy aggression by selling a multi-racial cast and the setting with 2 words:

Blade Runner. That way u could explain japanese names on white guys. Ugh, it really just feels like the same universe and I don't get why this movie has such a hard time getting off the ground honestly!
ThaMessenger07
ThaMessenger07 - 3/22/2012, 9:24 AM
^ While I like the Idea of more Multiracial cast being used. This movie is set in Neo-Tokyo and with a Japanese cast for a reason. So unless the film explains how Japanese Policy and Culture has been established in Neo-NY as a primary, I don't see it being the same story at all.

Aesthetically it could have been good with the changes they were making but the significance would be completely lost in the change.
RaleighAntrobus
RaleighAntrobus - 3/22/2012, 9:30 AM
@ThaMessenger07

I agree with everything you stated.


MarkCassidy
MarkCassidy - 3/22/2012, 9:39 AM
Akira is not a uniquely Japanese story, its main themes of friendship, betrayal and the abuse of power by both Governments and citizens are universal and can work anywhere. There are ELEMENTS to Akira that are uniquely Japanese and yes they very well may be lost in translation, but the same happens in any westernized remake. That's all this would be, another remake. It may..and going by the people involved probably will..suck, but I don't buy into the "this CAN'T work anywhere else" mentality. It can, it probably just won't.
GUNSMITH
GUNSMITH - 3/22/2012, 9:43 AM
WHY CALL IT AKIRA WHEN EVERYONE IS AMERICAN? WHY NOT JUST GIVE IT AN AMERICAN NAME LIKE "BOB"
Fogs
Fogs - 3/22/2012, 10:01 AM
ooooh Gusto is so naughty!

comicbookjerk
comicbookjerk - 3/22/2012, 10:26 AM
I hate racism...and thats the reason this movie wasn't make is because of racism! Black White pink green purple why does skin color and race matter? Alot of good ideas get tossed in the trash because people bitch about the color of someones skin its ridiculous!
KamCannon
KamCannon - 3/22/2012, 10:27 AM
Confidential means Hand out in goody bags.
ThaMessenger07
ThaMessenger07 - 3/22/2012, 10:37 AM
You like Wolverine Ror so your opinion is invalid....

I'm just f*cking with you lol
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