Despite simmering in development hell for what seems like forever now, it looks like Warner Bros. still wants to get their live-action Akira adaptation off the ground at some point. Numerous directors have been attached to helm over the past few years, including Jaume Collet-Serra, Gary Whitta and Albert Hughes, but now we’re hearing that the studio has someone else in their sights.
According to former editor of The Wrap, Jeff Sneider, Warner Bros. wants Justin Lin to direct the long-gestating project. Coming off the back of several successful entries into the Fast and Furious franchise, not to mention Star Trek Beyond, Lin is a hot commodity in Hollywood these days, having proven that he can handle big budget action blockbusters. Given this, it’s not hard to see why the studio would want to rope him in for Akira.
Last we heard about the film, Daredevil showrunner Marco J. Ramirez was penning a new script for Warner Bros. There was also word of Christopher Nolan being involved in some capacity. Whether the prolific director is still on board to help out is unknown at this time, and so far, the studio hasn’t made any comment about this new rumor regarding Lin. That’s not to say it holds no truth, but given the way things have been going for Akira thus far, I wouldn’t hold my breath for anything concrete to happen on it any time soon.
Tell us, would you like to see Justin Lin direct Akira, or did you have someone else in mind? Let us know by dropping a comment below!
