We are all conscious of the criticism that plagues anime live action adaptations and we as anime fans are very pessimistic when we hear that there are new anime live action adaptations taking place. Just look at The Last Airbender, Dragonball: Evolution, Ghost in the Shell, and Death Note, they have been absolutely terrible. However anime adaptions are never going to stop as there is so much money involved as well as a lot of potential for success if for once it can be done right.
We have been contacting all the big productions firms that are currently working on anime adaptations and have some crucial updates on which anime live action adaptions are on the agenda to be released in the near future.
Naruto
Anime Live Action Adaptations
At the Jump Festa event held last December Dec 17, the manga’s creator Kishimoto Masashi confirms the live action adaptation of Naruto. Kishimoto himself is involved in the production and is working with director Michael Gracey. Pre-production art was also revealed at the event.
Update: The live action adaptation synopsis is based around an introduction to the Naruto characters, team 7, Kakashi and the main villains through the storyline will be Zabuza and Haku. Michael Gracey is currently working on finalising the script along side Kishimoto and casting is currently taking place for our favourite anime characters to come to life.
Michael Gracey is one of hollywoods best visual effects producers in Hollywood which is why Lionsgate wanted him on the team. We have high hopes for the Naruto live action anime adaptation as the budget for the movie is close to 0,000,000. They know the fans want it to work and are expecting the Naruto movie to be one of the first that Hollywood do right.
Your Name
Anime Live Action Adaptations
J.J. Abrams and Paramount Pictures have announced they’ll be turning the critically acclaimed Japanese anime Your Name into a live-action film. Abrams’ production company Bad Robot and Paramount will work with Toho, the company that produced the original film.
Update: Casting is complete for the anime live action adaption of ‘Your Name’ and pre-production is currently in the works. The aim is to have the movie completed this year and due to be released early 2019 during the easter period.
Your Name was released in 2016 and follows the story of a boy and a girl who find they have the ability to swap bodies, going on a quest to find each other through space and time as disaster looms. It was created, written, and directed by Makoto Shinkai, and the film was by far the biggest movie in Japan when it was released last year.
AKIRA
Anime Live Action Adaptations
The live-action adaptation of the cyberpunk anime Akira has been a slow process. As we reported last year, it is one of many films stuck in what is called “production hell.” These films are often caught up in legal battles, creative team changes, and production issues.
Update: Akira now has an extensively large budget for the movie as there has been so much backing from major studios to make this work. They are hoping for an A-list Celebrity Cast / Producer / Director for the movie. The script for the entire movie is complete and we we’re told that backing for the movies production was based on how perfectly written the story is which will follow the anime movie.
Considering the significance of this film in anime history, the perfect director will be essential to winning fan support for this adaptation. Originally debuting in 1988, Akira has since been considered a landmark movie in Japanimation. It has repeatedly appeared on top 10 lists as “greatest animated film of all time” and “greatest science fiction film of all time.”
Mobile Suit Gundam
Anime Live Action Adaptations
In the past, Hollywood has tried to get an adaptation of the mecha series going, but Sunrise did not let Lionsgate continue with those plans. Following the franchise’s beloved cameo in Ready Player One, the team behind Gundam are now ready to finalising its live-action prospects for the big screen.
Update: Mobile Suit Gundam pre-production for the live action movie will begin in the coming months. The details from Hollywood about the live action movie have been kept under wraps as they don’t want fans to constantly voice their concerns or opinions on how it should be made as Anime Live Actions seem to be such a touchy subject in the west considering how unsuccessful their adaptation movies have been recently.
Not only will this the movie introduce a new storytelling medium to the franchise, but it may open doors to future live-action ventures.
Cowboy Bebop
Anime Live Action Adaptations
Not long ago, Shinichiro Watanabe headed to Australia for an anime convention, and it was there IGN had a chance to speak with him about his long career. During the interview, Watanabe was asked about the plans to adapt Cowboy Bebop into a live-action TV series, and the man touched upon its casting.
Update: It doesn’t seem like they’ve decided on anybody yet, the director has admitted. “It sounds like they’re still in the middle of casting the main roles. In fact, there’s been a number of times we’ve talked about adapting it into a live-action however it’s been stopped several times. The project’s just halted. I’m not quite sure how this one will go this time.”
It does not look like Tomorrow Studios and Sunrise have settled on the right actors to bring Bebop’s crew to life. In fact, Watanabe doesn’t even sound totally convinced the project is going to get past development given its live-action stumbling blocks in the past.
Are you excited about any of these Anime Live Action Adaptations that are currently in the works? Let me know in the comments below.