For years, Hollywood has been struggling to get the popular Japanese anime sensation, AKIRA (1988) off the ground. After Warner Bros/Legendary Pictures has acquired director Albert Hughes and screenwriter Steve Kloves (who is responsible for script rewrites) at the helm, two major casting are now taking place.
According to Deadline, there are two major roles here. First is Tetsuo, where Robert Pattinson (THE TWILIGHT SAGA: ECLIPSE), Andrew Garfield (THE SOCIAL NETWORK) and James McAvoy (X-MEN: FIRST CLASS) have been given the new script. Second is Kaneda, where Garrett Hedlund (TRON: LEGACY), Michael Fassbender (X-MEN: FIRST CLASS), Chris Pine (UNSTOPPABLE), Justin Timberlake (THE SOCIAL NETWORK) and Joaquin Phoenix (I'M STILL HERE) will be contended for the specific role.
These short listed actors will be prepping for the roles, and once confirmed, the shooting will take place on August start date.