Taika Waititi to helm ‘Akira’ live-action remake

Los Angeles, Sep 20 (PTI) "Thor: Ragnarok" director Taika Waititi is reportedly in negotiations to direct the live- action adaptation of Katsuhiro Otomo's anime, "Akira".The New Zealand-born director-

Los Angeles, Sep 20 (PTI) “Thor: Ragnarok” director Taika Waititi is reportedly in negotiations to direct the live- action adaptation of Katsuhiro Otomo’s anime, “Akira”.

The New Zealand-born director-actor is in talks with Warner Bros. to serve behind the lens for the long-gestating adaptation of the 1988 Japanese animated film, reported Deadline.

“Akira” consists of six volumes, and there are reportedly going to be two live-action films, each based on three volumes.

Set in a future city environment called New Manhattan, the sci-fi epic follows the leader of a bike gang who must save his best friend, who has been experimented on by the government causing him to develop dangerous and destructive psychokinetic powers.

Waititi is currently gearing up for the release of the third “Thor” film which will open in theatres on November 3.

This is published unedited from the PTI feed.