Akira Movie Rights Revert Back to Kodansha: What’s Next for the Iconic Franchise?
The long-awaited journey to bring Akira’s live-action adaptation to life is taking an unexpected turn. After over two decades of development, Warner Bros. has officially relinquished the movie rights to the beloved Japanese sci-fi classic. The rights have now reverted back to Kodansha, the original manga publisher that first introduced Katsuhiro Otomo’s post-apocalyptic cyberpunk narrative in 1982.
As excitement builds, producers and creative talents are eagerly positioning themselves to revive this iconic property for select studios and streaming platforms. Akira first emerged as a groundbreaking manga series throughout the 1980s and later became a cultural phenomenon with its seminal 1988 anime film. This adaptation played a pivotal role in elevating adult animation and Japanese culture on a global scale.
Warner Bros. originally acquired the film rights in 2002, intending for Blade filmmaker Stephen Norrington to direct, with Jon Peters producing. However, what followed was a lengthy saga of development challenges, costing the studio millions—well into the eight-figure range—over the following decades. Norrington’s version faltered, particularly after the box office disappointment of his other project, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.
In subsequent years, Legendary Entertainment joined forces with Warner Bros. to co-finance the project. Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Davisson became steadfast producers, and a revolving door of writers and directors—including Garry Whitta, Mark Fergus, and Jaume Collet-Sera—attempted to bring Akira to the big screen. Numerous storyboards and concept art pieces were created by talented artists like Tommy Lee Edwards and Chris Weston, yet the project continued to face significant hurdles.
From budgetary constraints to cultural sensitivity issues—at one point, Neo-Tokyo was reimagined as New Manhattan—the adaptation faced numerous obstacles, including accusations of whitewashing. In 2012, Warner Bros. paused production in Vancouver to reevaluate their approach, during which time a budget of $90 million had already been established, and Garret Hedlund was attached as the lead. Negotiations with prominent actors like Kirsten Stewart, Helena Bonham Carter, and Ken Watanabe were also in progress.
Fast forward to 2017, and Taika Waititi stepped in to write and direct a new version of Akira. This iteration gained traction, securing California film tax credits and a slated release date of May 21, 2021, potentially competing with John Wick: Chapter 4. The project aimed for an all-Japanese cast, with casting representatives actively scouting talent in Japan. However, as Waititi juggled multiple commitments—including Jojo Rabbit and Thor: Love and Thunder—the project lost momentum and has remained dormant ever since.
Set in a dystopian Tokyo, Akira follows Tetsuo, a teenager in a biker gang who uncovers devastating telekinetic powers that pose a threat to humanity. The only one capable of stopping him is his childhood friend Kaneda, the gang leader.
The rights to Akira are part of a growing list of high-profile properties whose screen rights have recently become available. Earlier this year, iconic franchises like Texas Chainsaw Massacre and the Jason Bourne series also hit the market after decades with their original studios.
As Akira searches for a new home to realize its cinematic ambitions, we are reminded of a poignant quote from the anime: “The future is not a straight line. It is filled with many crossroads. There must be a future that we can choose for ourselves.” The future of Akira now hangs in the balance, and fans are eager to see where this journey will lead.
