According to reports, Warner Bros. Pictures is in talks with Jaume Collet-Serra ("Orphan") to direct a $90 million live-action adaptation of Katsuhito Otomo's graphic novel series "Akira".The current screenplay is in the hands of Steve Kloves ("Harry Potter"), for producers Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Davisson Killoran and Andrew Lazar. Otomo will executive produce.
The 'cyberpunk' science fiction film will be set in a futuristic, post-war city, circa 2019, focusing on 'Shotaro Kaneda', a gang member, who tries to stop 'Tetsuo Shima' from releasing 'Akira'.
'Akira', as a young boy, developed 'psionic', god-like abilities when serving as a test subject for secret government ESP experiments during the 1980's. When he lost control of this power in 1988, the ensuing blast annihilated Tokyo in a horrifying explosion.After the apocalyptic event, Akira was subjected to every test known to modern science, then placed within a 'cryonic' chamber underneath the 'Neo-Tokyo Olympic Stadium'.
"Akira" will explore psychological and philosophical themes, including the nature of corruption, the will to power and the growth from childhood to maturity for the human race.
"Akira" will explore psychological and philosophical themes, including the nature of corruption, the will to power and the growth from childhood to maturity for the human race. 
Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Akira"...
