Plans for Live Action Akira in Motion Again

After once acquiring the rights to produce an American live action adaptation of Katsuhiro Otomo’s manga series Akira then letting those rights expire, Warner Bros. has re-acquired adaptation rights, this time in conjunction with Legendary Pictures, the studio behind 300, and Leonardo DiCaprio’s film production company Appian Way. According to The Hollywood Reporter and Variety Magazine, first time feature film director Ruairi Robinson has been hired to helm the production of two live action Akira movies that will cover the first and second half of the Akira manga story. Relative newcomer screenwriter Gary Whitta will write the films. Leonardo DiCaprio will reportedly serve as one of several producers.

The setting of the movies will be changed from Neo-Tokyo to “New Manhattan.”

The first film is tentatively scheduled for theatrical release in the summer of 2009.