UPDATE: Garrett Hedlund Offered Lead Role In Akira?

UPDATE: Garrett Hedlund Offered Lead Role In Akira?

After reports of the TRON: Legacy star being Warner Bros' top choice to star in the upcoming live action version of Akira, it appears that the actor has indeed been offered the role of Kaneda...

News
By PaulRom - Nov 03, 2011 08:11 AM EST
Filed Under: Akira
Source: Twitch Film

When Warner Bros. formally greenlit the live action adaptation of the classic anime film Akira, word broke out that their top choice for lead character Kaneda was Garrett Hedlund (Country Strong, TRON: Legacy). Now, Twitch Film is reporting that WB has formally offered the role to Hedlund. The film will be helmed by Unknown director Jaume Collet-Sera.



It seems that virtually from the day that Warner Brothers greenlit the US, live action version of Akira rumors have been circulating that Tron Legacy star Garrett Hedlund was director Jaume Collet-Serra's choice to take the lead role of Kaneda. It seems that the powers that be at WB now agree, as Twitch has learned that Hedlund has just received a formal offer to take the part.

Gary Oldman and Helen Bonham Carter have also reportedly been offered the roles of Colonel and Lady Miyako, respectively, so (if they accept their respective roles) the cast for the film is shaping up rather nicely. Personally, I think Hedlund would be a great choice to lead the film. He seems like a strong up-and-coming actor, and I can see him in the lead role of Akira. What do you think of Garrett Hedlund as Kaneda? Sound off your thoughts below in the usual place.

UPDATE: Variety/Showblitz have confirmed that Hedlund is indeed in negotiations to play Kaneda.

THOR: LOVE AND THUNDER Director Taika Waititi's AKIRA Adaptation Is Reportedly Moving Forward
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THOR: LOVE AND THUNDER Director Taika Waititi's AKIRA Adaptation Is Reportedly Moving Forward
AKIRA: Jordan Peele Reveals Why He Declined Warner Bros.' Offer To Helm Live-Action Adaptation
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Talontd
Talontd - 11/3/2011, 9:13 AM
If the actor HAS to be white.....i guess it could work...


Fcukin Hollywood.
shaddowkhan
shaddowkhan - 11/3/2011, 9:18 AM
how ever much i despise the remake, he is a good choice.

i wonder what would have been worse if they made him white or black
valeriesghost
valeriesghost - 11/3/2011, 9:24 AM
I wish i could walk into the offices of the execs at WB and rip the worse fart of my life. and then just walk out
HelaGood
HelaGood - 11/3/2011, 9:28 AM
lame... wrong race... no talent

just lame...
comicoverlord
comicoverlord - 11/3/2011, 9:28 AM
Next, they will be changing the name of this movie to "Andy"
Shaman
Shaman - 11/3/2011, 9:34 AM
Well... since we're forced to get this film, might as well opt for good talent. Hedlund is definitely the best news that's ever come of this. Of course, the better news would be of him accepting the role. AMERIKIRA!!!
Tevii
Tevii - 11/3/2011, 9:37 AM
I dont understand why they would do it like this. There is a market for Asian actors....But one problem I see with translating anime to live action is that most of their characters LOOK white.

But Akira the characters look asian.

Whats next for racism... a black Spiderman? or a black Heimdal?
Ceejay
Ceejay - 11/3/2011, 9:39 AM
ONE BIG POINTLESS EPIC FAIL!

Only Hollywood spends millions remaking movies that don't need to be made!
AngelAragiel
AngelAragiel - 11/3/2011, 9:41 AM
Another great story to be ruined by the greed of studios. I hope I'm wrong and it turns to be a great movie, but I doubt it.
RunDTC
RunDTC - 11/3/2011, 9:43 AM
haven't seen Akira yet but Hedlund's a good actor, so, to me, this has promise.
phoe1
phoe1 - 11/3/2011, 9:46 AM
he does actually look kinda like kaneda BUTTT hes a shitty actor. he was so incredibly dull and unmemorable in tron :(((
HelaGood
HelaGood - 11/3/2011, 9:48 AM
since WB is doing this, it is not surprising they will bastardize this whole thing and serve it up under the name of Akira.

everything about this movie is wrong.
MarkCassidy
MarkCassidy - 11/3/2011, 9:51 AM
I thought he was pretty bad in Tron Legacy, but I dunno..could be worse I guess. Meh.
Vafrous
Vafrous - 11/3/2011, 9:52 AM
From what I read, there changing the characters names...
KidDynamo0
KidDynamo0 - 11/3/2011, 9:58 AM
I dont care that he is white. I care that they will utterly ruin this. 90 Million dollar budget? Have they ever watched Akira? No way this gets made and is worth anything. As far as race switching goes its not the same to replace minority characters with white actors. Hollywood is completely dominated by white actors. Pretending that the reverse is equal is nonsensical. However, like I said the race switching in this is hardly the reason why this is a bad idea.
SaintCrow
SaintCrow - 11/3/2011, 10:06 AM
boooooooooooooooooooooooooo
sheebz
sheebz - 11/3/2011, 10:06 AM
@movietheaterlad lol I agree, i dont mind hollywood taking a shot at Akira

if Japan wants to do their live action, they will or may have already. I just hope this doesnt become another DBZ. they'll be working with a completely different base tho, i think it's do-
able
Optimus83
Optimus83 - 11/3/2011, 10:13 AM


Garrett Hedlund is the perfect Eddie Brock/Venom
VictorHugo
VictorHugo - 11/3/2011, 10:13 AM
Hello NOOOOOO!!!!!!!
AC1
AC1 - 11/3/2011, 10:27 AM
What's Akira about? I've never heard of it. But it seems pointless to remake an anime, especially if it's a very well known one.

Anyhoo I don't get why Hedlund is classed as mediocre by so many of you. I thought he was great in Tron, although maybe a little too dark in acting tone for a disney film. I think he brought a bit too much weight to the role, and should have played it slightly more light-heartedly. Kind of like the Luke Skywalker of the Tron universe. Again, no idea about the character or anything, but I'm sure Hedlund would do his best to play the role as respectfully to the source material as possible.
sheebz
sheebz - 11/3/2011, 10:34 AM
@movietheaterlad The japanese trailers always looks promising tho :( I still have yet to see Casherrn
Supernature
Supernature - 11/3/2011, 10:37 AM
LOL @ anyone who thinks this will have even 1% of the substance/esotericism of the original movie.

I'm not even going to comment on the whitewashing...
Asian actors are never gonna be given a decent main role in a mass appeal Hollywood blockbuster ¬__¬
SMH...
thewolfx
thewolfx - 11/3/2011, 10:37 AM
@MovieTheaterLad

um were any of those guys the star of the movie?? helll noo


anyways garrette looks like murphy make him robocop
Supernature
Supernature - 11/3/2011, 10:43 AM
@ MovieTheaterLad

You are missing the point.

Asian actors are severely underrepresented in the media. It's not because they're not trying, it's because whenever there is a movie with a main role that SHOULD go to an asian actor, it gets whitewashed.
To name a few:
-The Last Airbender
-Dragon Ball
-This [frick]ery in the making.

And this white characters made black argument is bs too.
White actors are already getting almost ALL the main roles in Hollywood movies. Just because the casting director/director/team/whatever decides to make a character black doesn't diminish they're chances at all.
marvel72
marvel72 - 11/3/2011, 10:43 AM
this movie is so wrong in many ways.
CherryBomb
CherryBomb - 11/3/2011, 10:45 AM
YES!
I love love love Garrett Hedlund <3

:D wooo
Supernature
Supernature - 11/3/2011, 10:48 AM
Oops

*their chances
joeker
joeker - 11/3/2011, 11:16 AM
this film should not be made good actor as Tron was great but this should not happen
TerminatorMode
TerminatorMode - 11/3/2011, 11:21 AM
i can see him in the role but definitely worried about that budget
Newbus
Newbus - 11/3/2011, 11:25 AM
MTL: Do you deny that they each gave stellar performances in their respective films?

Yeh like Michael Clark Duncan as Kingpin *face palm*
SugarYumYum
SugarYumYum - 11/3/2011, 11:54 AM
Anyone thinking this movie stands a chance is kidding themselves.

The only Hollyweird white washed film they've gotten right is The Departed out of a line-up Dragonball Evolution, The Grudge, The Grudge 2, The Ring, The Ring 2, One Missed Call, The Last Airbender, Street Fighter: Chun Li... yeah, this will be a masterpiece. lol
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