Leonardo DiCaprio to Produce Live-Action "Akira"

Promotional image for original 1988 film

The Hollywood Reporter announced today news of the revival of the long in-limbo live-action adaptation of "Akira," the classic manga and 1988 anime feature created and directed by Katsuhiro Otomo. Leonardo DiCaprio will produce the Warner Bros. film via his Appian Way company, with writer Gary Whitta (former Editor-in-Chief, PC Gamer) penning the screenplay.

The memorably ultra-violent and lavishly rendered story of a Japanese teen biker gang member subjected to medical experiments in a post-World War III Neo-Tokyo, "Akira" was the anime most instrumental in blowing open the doors to Western pop culture in the late 20th century, and is considered to be one of the most influential animated works ever created.

The live-action version of "Akira" has long been in development at Warner Bros., with producers Jon Peters ("Superman Returns") and Basil Iwanyk ("Firewall") having been involved at various times, as well as directors Stephen Norrington ("Blade") and Pitof ("Catwoman"). No director has yet been confirmed, nor is it known whether DiCaprio intends to star in "Akira."

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