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Akira - Hughes EPIC?

Tim Hole

Tim Hole

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If Hughes Brothers are set to direct a trilogy of the Akira live action, I take it we are hoping that this will be a nice big outing for the Epic! Or do you think the studios would insist that the camera goes through its paces before unleashed on a big production.

I hope if they do make it, they do go EPIC - obviously in our minds it would make soo much sense given the magnitude of the project and it being so effects driven. Plus with Hank Ostby scripting it, it might work, as long as they don't dilute the story to a 12A audience.
 
I can see them changing certain aspects dramatically, however done right it has the possibility to be one hell of a live action film. I'm just not sure they would honour the original because it is really very dark and brutal, and a live action version, especially when he is hallucinating would be very uncomfortable. The one aspect though that is likely to be different is when he physically morphs at the end. Can't see them doing that in it somehow.

Not an easy adaptation.

The original is so perfect in so many ways and is very dear to me. I hope they don't mess it up.
 
Watched a 35mm print of Akira a couple of months back. Was sublime hearing that amazing soundtrack in the cinema. Possibly one of the best motion picture soundtracks ever produced.

This movie would be an absoloute cracker in a remake if it kept its authentic japanese influences. I wouldnt be interested so much in an Americanized version.
 
Don't get your hopes up too much there seems to be a 50/50 chance that the Hughes brother next film will be digital, since they are split on the tech.

One want to go back to film, and the other one would like to continue with digital.

So time will tell.
 
Ace said:
Watched a 35mm print of Akira a couple of months back. Was sublime hearing that amazing soundtrack in the cinema. Possibly one of the best motion picture soundtracks ever produced.
Click to expand...

I remember you saying, and remember being very jealous...its one of my dreams. I've managed to see Bladerunner, Stalker, Last year in Marienbad, In the mood for love and The Shining in the cinema - they were on my list. Akira has been up top for so long. My hope is that when the film is released it will have a precursory round of the original.

Ace said:
This movie would be an absoloute cracker in a remake if it kept its authentic japanese influences. I wouldnt be interested so much in an Americanized version.
Click to expand...

I hadn't even considered that. Shit! I really, really hope they do keep the Japanese influences.

Wesley Scoggins said:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBAJdtPVnZc

Why the original was so fantastic.

Regardless, I would love to see an Akira trilogy, there is so much that didn't get fully explored in the film, and I think they could do the full Manga more justice with three films.
Click to expand...

There is a lot to explore and if they get it right then it could be magnificent...very dubious could be...

Alex Lindblom said:
Don't get your hopes up too much there seems to be a 50/50 chance that the Hughes brother next film will be digital, since they are split on the tech.
Click to expand...

Maybe when he sees the capabilities of the Epic the odds will lighten. Fingers crossed. It makes logical sense if the cameras are working as they should!!!
 
I don't see how the movie won't be set in NYC or L.A. with an American cast- thinking like a lowest common denominator studio head anyways. But the original is 100% quintessential Japanese Anime- which is why a remake seems so iffy to me. Also why Speed Racer was so wacky. But I'll check it out regardless and I'll bet they shoot it on EPIC in 3D if it actually goes.

Noah
 
"Speed Racer" was whacky only because the Wachowski's wanted it to be. If they had done a more traditional "Speed Racer" then it would have been pretty different, of course then again, it may not have had the same impact as the more cartoonie version. Granted, certain jarring anime-spoof sequences in the film that called attention to themselves too much were some of the film's major failings, however, everything else about it was pretty good, but again the Wachowski's didn't reel themselves back in and ended up sullying a potentially decent film.

But now to "Akira". To me, I could see the film going both ways. They could be 100% truthful and get someone like, for example, Rain or whatever to play as Kaneda and bring the comic to life. Then again I could very easily see the film being adapted for a US-based story. The main problem with "Akira" is the overall scope of the story, which is massive. Trying to fit in all of the science and mysticism of "Akira" into a narrative that Average Joe USA will understand and without dumbing things down will be difficult and was something that the anime movie did so well. Still, I won't hold my breath on this one, I remember the first round of attempts at making an "Akira" film and none of them could even get prepared to get off the ground, much like the "Ninja Scroll" movie which had also been in the works at the time.
 
Yeah it's just so metaphysical and out there- I wonder how you preserve the core coolness while not freaking out the studio heads for making an 200+ million dollar art film.

Noah
 
I don't think you would have to dumb things down, it just needs to be written well. The first element was making more that one film, this is key to helping an average Joe understand what the hell is going on.

The original film was structurally unsound as well, it was convoluted, broken and a bit of a mess. It is still however one of the best pieces of visual art I have ever seen and still managed to get across everything that was needed to crack a punch storywise. Look at the six part manga and its all there. Done well could be great. Not in a US based story because it would not work anywhere near as well.

The sound though...oh man what a score. The colour, insane detail, action, animation. Has anyone seen the BLU RAY version. Might have to buy it.

@Ace. The avatar has also been likened to the Pilsbury Dough boy and a whoopie cushion. Nice to know my logo skills are hammer the point home ;)

I seem to remember Jarred saying we should never get married!! Although my girlfriend is in the position as her surname is Cuff and Her first Initial is 'A'. - A Cuff-Hole, A Hole...nothing works ah well....
 
Ace said:
Watched a 35mm print of Akira a couple of months back. Was sublime hearing that amazing soundtrack in the cinema. Possibly one of the best motion picture soundtracks ever produced.
Click to expand...

I couldn't agree with you more on that Ace. I've had that soundtrack since the film came out in Japan and have never heard anything like it since.
One part other worldy the other part going into the ancient history of humanity.... or at least that was my impression.

The sounds really take you to another place.

The story of the group behind the work, Geinoh Yamashirogumi, is pretty interesting as they seem to be a volunteer group of amateur musicians.

Youtube has a few clips of their work.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HpW03f7_fs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-pko0vruGo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdSjCBUg8yY

Brian Timmons
britim-media
 
I wish them the best of luck too - just don't trust the studios.

Hey, well even Casablanca was a remake of a remake and its become cinematic legend.

Thanks for your input Ruairi. Really loved the tone and pace of Silent City btw. Really nicely done.
 
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