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Deadline: Hughes Leaves Live-Action Akira Project (Updated)
posted on by Gia Manry
The North American film news site Deadline reported on Thursday that director Albert Hughes has departed from the live-action Akira. According to the report, Hughes departed amicably due to "creative differences" on the film, and the studio still intends to keep the film "on a fast track." Deadline further states that Warner intends to put Hughes on another film shortly.
The report cites "insiders" for the information. Warner Bros. had not responded to ANN's request for comment at press time.
Last week, the movie news site JoBlo.com Keanu Reeves had ed on the lead role of Kaneda in the film, and that "most" of the film's staff had been let go. At the time, the site noted that Hughes was still attached to the project.
Screenwriters announced in 2008, it was intended to be the directorial debut for Ireland's Ruairi Robinson. Last year, Hughes told the Japanese movie news site Eiga.com that his next film is Akira.
In March, an alleged short list of possible cast , including Justin Timberlake and promoted petitions against the alleged "white-washing" (casting of only caucasian actors) of the series, whose original characters are Japanese.
Update: Added background information, image.
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