Last month, we reported that Warner Bros. has given the green light to the live-action adaptation Akira, a production that was eyeing Garrett Hedlund to star. Today, we have official word that the actor has accepted the role of Kaneda and is in final negotiations for the lead role.
The movie is based on Katsuhiro Ôtomo's critically acclaimed manga, which follows Kaneda, the leader of a motorcycle gang in New Manhattan. Kaneda tries to rescue his best friend, Tetsuo, from a government experiment. We also reported last month that Gary Oldman and Helena Bonham Carter were offered the roles of Colonel and Lady Miyako. It isn't known if they have accepted these offers yet.
Jaume Collet-Serra is directing Akira from a screenplay by Steve Kloves. Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Davisson Killoran are producing through their Appian Way production company, alongside Andrew Lazar. It isn't known when production will begin on Akira.
