American Akira Movie in Trouble?

Entertainment news website JoBlo reports that Warner Bros. has shut down the previsualization department devoted to development of an American live-action Akira movie franchise and laid off most of employees that were working on the pre-development of the picture. However, Warner reports that the film franchise, “Is still very much in the development stage,” and tentative production of the film franchise has not been formally canceled.

In a reportedly separate development, actor Keanu Reeves has formally confirmed that he was offered the leading role in Warner’s Akira movie and turned down the offer.