The live-action Akira adaptation may be a cursed project. Not in any sort of evil way but, it sure seems like it’s never going to get made. Recently, Thor: Ragnarok director Taika Waititi had signed on to direct but, according to Variety, that’s no longer the case.
Warner Bros. has apparently put the project on indefinite hold as Waititi shifts his focus to Marvel’s Thor 4. WB was somewhat surprised by this as Waititi was in the midst of a casting search for the lead in Akira. But, when Kevin Feige calls, you don’t send him to voice mail. There are also rumors of behind-the-scenes disagreements between Waititi and the studio over the direction of the Akira adaptation. So, if true, those could have led Waititi to decide walking away was for the best.
Akira fans have had a rough time over the last decade. Every few years a live-action adaptation starts gaining traction before falling through and Waititi’s take is just the latest in a long line of disappointment for those fans. BUT, Warner Bros. remains optimistic that, after Thor 4, Waititi will return to the project and deliver what fans have been so patiently waiting for.
Unfortunately for Warner though, Waititi may be pretty hard to get a hold of for some time. Jojo Rabbit, his adaptation of Christine Leunens’ satirical novel hits theaters later this year. Then, along with Thor 4, he’s also working on a Flash Gordon reboot and producing a film called Baby, Gone. So, with the raised profile that will no-doubt come over the next 5 or so years, he may be too busy to return to this Akira adaptation for some time.
