Gaf's Gary Whitta out of the Akira adaptation?

[Diunx]

http://www.slashfilm.com/2009/09/07/children-of-men-screenwriters-are-developing-live-action-akira-movie/

Warner Bros’ live-action adaptation of Akira is not dead afterall. Collider has confirmed that screenwriters Mark Fergus and Hawk Ostby are hard at work on the project.

Fergus and Ostby wrote earlier drafts of Children of Men and are credited with Iron Man. The screenplay is set in a post-apocalyptic “New Manhattan” and will feature Akira’s famous red motorcycle. The original Katsuhiro Otomo anime was set in a futuristic and post-war city, Neo-Tokyo, in 2019. The film has been in development by Warner Brothers and Leonardo DiCaprio’s production company Appian Way for some time, and Gary Whitta (The Book of Eli) had previously worked on the project.

Here is an excerpt from a previous posting by Russ Fischer:

No cast has ever publicly revealed to be attached. The involvement of Appian Way led many to suspect that DiCaprio would star as the teen biker Kaneda, despite being demonstrably too old for the part, but the actor publicly denied any involvement beyond producing duties. Joseph Gordon-Levitt was rumored to be in mind for Tetsuo, the friend of Kaneda whose psychic powers are awakened, setting of a cataclysmic chain of destructive events in Neo-Tokyo. He also denied any attachment.

Frankly, it’s difficult to see why Warner Brothers would move forward with the film(s) after Watchmen failed to become a breakout hit. Akira is similar in that it is highly conceptual with a complex character structure, a great deal of plot and backstory to communicate and, if done in properly detailed fashion, would be wildly expensive. Doing the film on anything less than a grand scale would be to miss the point. With an intricately detailed anime already in existence (and one which struggles to tell the story, even with the scope reduced from that of the manga, which had not completed publication when the film was made) why make a new feature that was forced to scale down?

In the wake of the WGA strike that ended in February ‘08, plans were once announced to fast-track the first film for release this summer. That obviously didn’t happen, in part because the script didn’t come together in time. Yet I’d held out an almost perverse hope that Appian Way could bring the project to fruition. I’m no great fan of the anime (despite its great visual splendor) but would have liked to see something as epic as a two-film Akira adaptation hit screens, in part because of how financially and artistically risky it would be.

I love COM

[The Fake Shemp]

Not a big deal. Blockbusters of this magnitude change writers a dozen or so times. Usually more.

I'm sure Whitta will take his paycheck, cry to the bank and probably working on something else by now.

[ManaByte]

Not a big deal. Blockbusters of this magnitude change writers a dozen or so times. Usually more.

I'm sure Whitta will take his paycheck, cry to the bank and probably working on something else by now.

Gary Whitta's SAILOR MOON. Starring Britney Spears, Miley Cyrus, Lindsay Lohan, and Kathleen Turner.

[Great Rumbler]

Not a big deal. Blockbusters of this magnitude change writers a dozen or so times. Usually more.

I'm sure Whitta will take his paycheck, cry to the bank and probably working on something else by now.

Gary Whitta's SAILOR MOON. Starring Britney Spears, Miley Cyrus, Lindsay Lohan, and Kathleen Turner.

Here's some leaked footage:

[youtube=560,345]4IM4co8ySKY[/youtube]

[HyperZoneWasAwesome]

Mr. Whitta seems like a heckava nice guy, also, I dig the name.

I still don't belive the movie will ever actually happen, although it is a less worse idea then the live action Ninja Scroll flick that was also in development.

[ManaByte]

Whitta is an asshole. He used to bully around fansites back when he was the EIC of PC Gamer over distinguished mentally-challenged games like FORCE COMMANDER.

[BlueTsunami]

He should write something up for Cowboy Bebop

[The Fake Shemp]

The change of writers doesn't make them suck, it's usually test screenings, studio mandates, etc.

[ch1nchilla]

He should write something up for Cowboy Bebop

Keanu Reeves 

[BlueTsunami]

If they really end up casting him as Spike... I don't know. I actually just finished watching the series (for some reason I would quit and watch something else). I really hope they treat the series right.

The music, the settings and the characters scream "Noir!". It could be an amazing adult science fiction / noir movie (obviously along the lines of Blade Runner) if done right. Unfortunately, being an anime, execs will probably go for the 11-17 jugular.

[youtube=560,345]gmFAJPArhqM[/youtube]

[Joe Molotov]

Not a big deal. Blockbusters of this magnitude change writers a dozen or so times. Usually more.

Probably a big reason why most of them end up sucking more often than not.

Because they fired Gary Whitta?

[Fresh Prince]

Seriously Manabyte you'd get get along better in life if you weren't so bitter.

[ch1nchilla]

[youtube=560,345]gmFAJPArhqM[/youtube]

Fucking Cowboy Bebop is so awesome. I need to watch it again, and cop all the soundtracks.

[Sideshow Raheem]

Whitta is an asshole. He used to bully around fansites back when he was the EIC of PC Gamer over distinguished mentally-challenged games like FORCE COMMANDER.

How do you bully fansites? Please explain.

I've met Gary in person, and he's never been anything but nice. I can also report I am friends with an ex-girlfriend of his. She has nothing but nice things to say about him as well.

[The Fake Shemp]

Sloppy seconds?

[Human Snorenado]

Whitta probably said something mean about Disney or something, pay no mind to ManaByte.

[Sideshow Raheem]

Sloppy seconds?

Not at all.

I love her to death but am not in love with her. And we were friends before she dated Gary and remain friends to this day.

But we digress. I hope Gary got a nice check for his efforts.

[The Fake Shemp]

Wow, that was a pretty serious reply for someone who says he does not harbor any feelings.

This sounds more interesting than Gary Whitta (who no doubt got paid, all these guys do).

... so tell me, were you jealous when she dated Gary?

[Sideshow Raheem]

Wow, that was a pretty serious reply for someone who says he does not harbor any feelings.

This sounds more interesting than Gary Whitta (who no doubt got paid, all these guys do).

... so tell me, were you jealous when she dated Gary?

Nope.

She's just a really good friend.

[chronovore]

The change of writers doesn't make them suck, it's usually test screenings, studio mandates, etc.

...says the up-and-coming writer, staring down the barrel of a lot of potential re-write work as a career starter. 

[Cormacaroni]

Not to put words in Willco's mouth (for truly, he is the insider, all hail), but i'm guessing he means that most of the suck that creeps in even in rewrites is because the writers are told to put in dumb shit because of test screenings and studio mandates, as opposed to the writers themselves ruining a good script with their own dumb ideas.

[chronovore]

Yeah, after that Kevin Smith question-and-answer video in the Superman thread, I believe it. "GIANT SPIDAR IS WAT YOU NEED, YOUNG MAN."

I'm just chuckling because of the similarity between movies and games: game developers (the creative types) also get blamed for a lot of stuff the publisher or licenseholder (the suits, with their focus tests and marketing studies) insist upon putting in, or changing, or withholding.

[The Fake Shemp]

Pretty much.

I do think a production reaches a point where so many writers dilute the story, but that's a rarity. Usually, additional writers are added because an executive or producer want to add something specific (or non-specific) or there's been a change in production that requires new writers.

Then you've got test screenings, which force a director or second unit director to begin shooting massive pickups (like The Wolfman), which requires new lines, plot tweaks, etc.

It's fucking grueling.

[The Fake Shemp]

I am lucky to be pretty much worthless in terms of real Hollywood, so what I'm working on is just me and a couple of guys.

I can't imagine getting to the point where I write a spec script, send it off to the races, only to see ten or so writers begin to rape my screenplay based on notes from the studio and a director who is an egomaniac.

[Cormacaroni]

you need to change your tag to 'Player' anyway though. allow us our sweaty Entourage fantasies!

[ManaByte]

A fansite would get leaked info on a game and if PC Gamer had it on the cover on an upcoming issue he would contact the site and demand the story be pulled. I personally saw it happen but since the EIC of the site in question is dead (and the site long shut down) Whitta can easily forget about it.

[Cormacaroni]

wow, lock 'im up with Garrido

[Sideshow Raheem]

A fansite would get leaked info on a game and if PC Gamer had it on the cover on an upcoming issue he would contact the site and demand the story be pulled. I personally saw it happen but since the EIC of the site in question is dead (and the site long shut down) Whitta can easily forget about it.

In other words, the fansites would read PC Gamer, repost its stories, and then the editor-in-chief for Gamer would request the material be taken down?

It's happened before.

It doesn't make Gary Whitta a bad person. He was just an editor, protecting his magazine.

[Reb]

Successful at what, in gods name?

spoiler (click to show/hide)

Allah's name.

[close]

[ManaByte]

A fansite would get leaked info on a game and if PC Gamer had it on the cover on an upcoming issue he would contact the site and demand the story be pulled. I personally saw it happen but since the EIC of the site in question is dead (and the site long shut down) Whitta can easily forget about it.

In other words, the fansites would read PC Gamer, repost its stories, and then the editor-in-chief for Gamer would request the material be taken down?

It's happened before.

It doesn't make Gary Whitta a bad person. He was just an editor, protecting his magazine.

No no no. These were stories PC Gamer had coming in upcoming issues that weren't out.

[Cormacaroni]

I really don't see the problem. The stories weren't officially released by the companies, so he was protecting both his magazine and his business relationships. The fansites who leak dubious, unverifiable info should have been prepared to catch some flak.

Maybe he was a dick about it, but that doesn't seem to be what you're saying. All the evidence I have points to him being a lovely chap.

[BlueTsunami]

Man, I'm getting some Unbreakable vibes in regards to Manabyte and Whitta. Guess who Mr.Glass is 

[Great Rumbler]

Gary Whitta may be out, but Zac Efron is in!

Another rumor which is making the tracking board rounds today is that Zac Efron has apparently been offered the lead role in Albert Hughes’ upcoming live-action adaptation of the popular anime/Katsuhiro Otomo‘s six-volume manga Akira. I’m not able to confirm the offer, but one source tells me Efron is in talks, while another says that it is “far from a done deal.”

http://www.slashfilm.com/2010/11/05/rumor-zac-efron-albert-hughes-akira/
 
:'(

[ferrarimanf355]

Gary Whitta may be out, but Zac Efron is in!

Another rumor which is making the tracking board rounds today is that Zac Efron has apparently been offered the lead role in Albert Hughes’ upcoming live-action adaptation of the popular anime/Katsuhiro Otomo‘s six-volume manga Akira. I’m not able to confirm the offer, but one source tells me Efron is in talks, while another says that it is “far from a done deal.”

http://www.slashfilm.com/2010/11/05/rumor-zac-efron-albert-hughes-akira/
 
:'(

smh

[ferrarimanf355]

TETSUOOOOOOOOOO

KHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAN

[MyNameIsMethodis]

EDAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

[Great Rumbler]

You don't have to hate Zac Efron to know that he'd be completely miscast as Kaneda.

[Robo]

Is this still supposed to be a gritty, violent sci-fi flick, or did they add musical numbers?

[Great Rumbler]

Is this still supposed to be a gritty, violent sci-fi flick, or did they add musical numbers?

It's supposed to be PG-13, so you can probably take out the "violent" part.

[Great Rumbler]

WHATS THE POINT NOW?

There isn't one. They'll spend a bunch of money, hope that it sells on brand-recognition, and then despair when it inevitably fails.

[BlueTsunami]

Wow, I guess they're making a play for the 12-18 year old female viewership. Exactly the type of people who would possibly be interested in Akira. Hurr derp.

[Phoenix Dark]

Dunno anything about this thing outside of what I've seen in AMVs. Movie sounds cool, is the original cartoon cool?

[Robo]

In that case, good for Gary for getting out of this mess -- his idea or not.

[Great Rumbler]

Dunno anything about this thing outside of what I've seen in AMVs. Movie sounds cool, is the original cartoon cool?

[youtube=560,345]aqp1BDXpAJU[/youtube]

[Phoenix Dark]

do they all have downs syndrome?

[Great Rumbler]

do they all have downs syndrome?

...

[cool breeze]

Zack Effron is alright and is a good pick for the role of Canada.

[Robo]

do they all have downs syndrome?

...

You can't blame him, you're the one that fell for it.

[Phoenix Dark]

 

[Great Rumbler]

do they all have downs syndrome?

...

You can't blame him, you're the one that fell for it.

Nah, PD can always be blamed. But I just wanted an excuse to post something from the real Akira, not Zac Efron's PG-13 Akira.

[Raban]

Efron went to my high school and had the same drama teacher as me

he's a douche irl

[BlueTsunami]

They should replace Efron with Jared Leto. Efron is an obvious cheap imitation of Leto.

[Herr Mafflard]

I've only seen Zac Efron in one film.



And I liked him in it.


But PG-13?

[Fresh Prince]

Life isn't like High School Musical eh?

[youtube=560,345]9TspDkbq9WM
[/youtube]

[Mupepe]

So we know Efron gave wedgies to at least one person.  Interesting.

Efron is surprisngly not THAT bad of an actor in real movies, but he's still totally miscast for this part.

[Raban]

So we know Efron gave wedgies to at least one person.  Interesting.

Ha! Nope, just another clique-y douche within my drama class. My drama teacher obsesses over him now that he's famous, like he's her "claim to fame".

[Fresh Prince]

Which clique was startselect in? The drama nerds. Which clique would Zac be in? The pretty people who took drama because it would be easy. Yeah I guess what would of happened.

[Raban]

Which clique was startselect in? The drama nerds. Which clique would Zac be in? The pretty people who took drama because it would be easy. Yeah I guess what would of happened.

story time

I never really spoke to him or met him personally, the cliques within our drama class were comically segregated. When I was in drama freshmen year I hung out with all the stoner/"alternative" kids in the class, and we pretty much spent all our time ridiculing people like Zac and the rest of the preps that found their way into drama for an easy A.

I wasn't a nerd in high school, I am a nerd, but I didn't like that clique in school so I stayed away from it.

[Fresh Prince]

You have just contradicted yourself.

[Mupepe]

hahaha i get what he is saying. i am a nerd but i didnt hang out with the nerds in high school. i knew them but they werent my clique. they were too uppity and assholish, not to mention socially distinguished mentally-challenged.