Variety reports Warner Bros. has put production on Akira on hold indefinitely following director Taika Waititi’s decision to helm Marvel Studios’ Thor 4.
Today, it was reported Thor: Ragnarok director Taikai Waititi closed a deal to direct the fourth installment of the God of Thunder’s film series. However, Variety sources close to Warner Bros. say the studio was surprised by Taika Waititi’s decision to jump from directing a live-action adaption of Akira to helming Thor 4 considering the former was set to begin prodction this fall.
Now, Warner Bros. has reportedly put production on Akira on indefinite hold with hopes that Taikai Waititi can resume work on the film after directing Thor 4. Taikai Waititi was reportedly in the midst of meeting with Japanese actors to portray the two lead roles in Akira, with Warner Bros. having delayed production to grant the filmmaker enough time to find the right performers. Now, the outlet speculates there may have been further disagreements between Taika Waititi and the studio.
AKIRA update: Hearing from multiple close to the project who say the studio was not only surprised but a little caught off guard by the director's decision to jump from AKIRA to THOR 4, given how close AKIRA was to its own production https://t.co/P3Xr5LUouO
— Justin Kroll (@krolljvar) July 16, 2019
This delay marks the latest setback for Akira, which has been in development since Warner Bros. first acquired the option to produce a live-action remake in 2002. The project passed through many potential filmmakers before Taika Waititi signed on the helm the film.
“When a young man’s telekinesis is discovered by the military, he is taken in to be turned into a super weapon and his brother nuts race to save him before Manhattan is destroyed by his powers. Kaneda is a bar owner in Neo-Manhattan who is stunned when his brother Tetsuo is abducted by Government agents lead by the Colonel. Desperate to get his brother back, Kaneda agrees to join Ky Reed and her underground movement who are intent on revealing to the world what truly happened to New York City 30 years ago when it was destroyed. Kaneda believes their theories to be ludicrous, but after facing his brother again is shocked when he displays telekinetic powers. Ky believes Tetsuo is headed to release a young boy. Akira, who has taken control of Tetsuo’s mind, Kaneda clashes with the Colonel’s troops on his way to stop Tetsuo from releasing Akira, but arrives too late. Akira soon emerges from his prison courtesy of Tetsuo as Kaneda races to save his brother before Akira once again destroys Manhattan island as he did thirty years ago.”
Akira had previously been scheduled for a theatrical on May 21, 2021.
Stay tuned to Heroic Hollywood for the latest news on Akira and Taika Waititi’s Thor 4 as it develops!
Source: Variety
Disney Unveils New Character Posters For ‘The Lion King’ Remake
Disney released several new character posters for the remake of The Lion King.
Disney's remake The Lion King is next in the studios' line-up of live-action retellings of their animated classics and now several new character posters for the film have been unveiled. These new posters for The Lion King may offer the best look yet at the photo-realistic versions of Simba, Nala, Mufasa, Scar, Timon, Pumbaa, Sarabi, young Simba, young Nala, Sarabi, Rafiki, and Zazu.
Check out the Lion King poster for Simba below and click "next" to view the rest of the gallery!
What do you think of the new posters from Disney? Are you among those who are excited to see the beloved film retold in a realistic setting or do you agree with the others who are growing weary of Disney's live-action remakes? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!
Here is the official synopsis for The Lion King:
Director Jon Favreau’s all-new “The Lion King” journeys to the African savanna where a future king is born. Simba idolizes his father, King Mufasa, and takes to heart his own royal destiny. But not everyone in the kingdom celebrates the new cub’s arrival. Scar, Mufasa’s brother—and former heir to the throne—has plans of his own. The battle for Pride Rock is ravaged with betrayal, tragedy and drama, ultimately resulting in Simba’s exile. With help from a curious pair of newfound friends, Simba will have to figure out how to grow up and take back what is rightfully his.
Directed by Jon Favreau from a script written by Jeff Nathanson, The Lion Kingstars Donald Glover as Simba, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter as Nala, James Earl Jones as Mufasa, Chiwetel Ejiofor as Scar, Seth Rogen as Pumbaa and Billy Eichner as Timon.
The Lion King will be released in theaters on July 19, 2019.
