For over a decade, Hollywood has struggled to bring Akira, the iconic 1988 anime film, to live-action life. The project has passed through countless hands, faced cultural controversies, and experienced major production delays. But now, with filmmaker Taika Waititi at the helm, the long-awaited adaptation may finally be moving forward.
Waititi, known for his distinct blend of humor and heart in films like Thor: Ragnarok and Jojo Rabbit, first became attached to the Akira remake back in 2017. Originally set to film in 2019, Akira was delayed when Waititi prioritized Thor: Love and Thunder, though he reaffirmed his commitment in 2021 and has remained dedicated ever since.
Recent developments point to real progress, with a script draft by Waititi and Michael Golamco completed in 2023 and a revised version from Charles Wu submitted in early 2024. Despite several other projects in the works, Waititi appears to be prioritizing Akira, with producer Andrew Lazar confirming it’s moving forward and teasing an update in the coming months — possibly during the press tour for Klara and the Sun, starring Jenna Ortega.
Originally directed by Katsuhiro Otomo, Akira was a watershed moment in animation. Its hand-drawn visuals, gritty cyberpunk aesthetic, and layered storytelling helped introduce anime to Western audiences and left a lasting impact on global cinema. It’s widely credited as a direct influence on films like The Matrix and countless others.
With Waititi’s clear respect for the source material and a renewed push behind the scenes, the live-action Akira might finally be on the verge of becoming a reality — and if done right, it could be as groundbreaking now as it was back then.
