Akira Remake: Two New Directors Reportedly On Shortlist

David Sandberg and Daniel Espinosa are the latest names attached to the anime remake.

The live-action remake of the classic anime movie Akira has been in development for a long time, with a variety of directors attached over the years. It has now been reported that Warner is considering two new filmmakers for the project.

According to a recent episode of Meet the Movie Press, Warner has shortlisted David Sandberg and Daniel Espinosa to potentially direct. Both are responsible for well-received recent genre movies--Sandberg helmed last year's horror hit Light's Out, while Espinosa's sci-fi thriller Life is currently in theaters.

Espinosa and Sandberg join a long line of directors who have been in consideration for Akira. Last year, it was reported that Star Trek Beyond's Justin Lin was in talks to direct, while Mad Mad director George Miller previously revealed that he was also approached by the studio.

In 2015, it was rumored that a trilogy was being planned, with Christopher Nolan involved at some level. Before that The Shallows director Jaume Collet-Serra was attached--click here to see some concept art of this version.

In 2012, the film actually reached the pre-production stage before the Vancouver productions offices were shut down by Warner.

The manga of Akira ran between 1982 and 1990, and is widely credited for popularising Japanese comic books internationally. Equally, the success of the 1989 movie version did much to introduce Western viewers to anime, and is now considered one of the finest sci-fi films ever made.

source: https://www.gamespot.com/articles/ak.../1100-6448984/