After more than two decades of stalled efforts and shifting creative teams, Warner Bros. has cancelled its long-planned live-action adaptation of Akira under Taika Waititi, resulting in the movie rights for the iconic manga returning to Kodansha. This development confirms the Taika Waititi Akira adaptation cancelled rumors, ending Hollywood’s numerous attempts to bring Katsuhiro Otomo’s influential story to the big screen.
Project Cancelled After Prolonged Uncertainty
Warner Bros.’ decision to terminate the live-action Akira film was reported by Borys Kit of The Hollywood Reporter on June 27, who revealed two significant updates for the long-dormant project. First,
“Warner Bros. let go of the movie rights,”
—Borys Kit, The Hollywood Reporter. As a result, ownership reverted to Japan’s Kodansha, which originally published Akira’s serialized manga in its Young Seinen magazine. The film’s cancellation marks the end of an era plagued by unfulfilled potential and reflects ongoing challenges in translating the story’s uniquely Japanese context for Western audiences.
Additional reporting indicated that
“producers and talent are said to be lining up to attach themselves to the property in preparation to be presented to select studio and streamers,”
—Borys Kit, The Hollywood Reporter. However, details remain scarce regarding which new creative figures or studios may seek to acquire adaptation rights next. The potential for renewed interest is high, but there is no confirmation about specific individuals or companies involved in any forthcoming negotiations.
Decades of Failed Attempts to Adapt Akira
Efforts to develop a live-action version of Akira go back to the early 1990s, shortly after the success of the 1988 anime adaptation that brought Katsuhiro Otomo’s work international attention. The project initially gained traction when Sony acquired the film rights, hoping to build on the animated film’s momentum. Yet after failing to produce any meaningful progress, Sony sold the rights to Warner Bros. in 2002.
During the years that followed, the property cycled through various directors and writers, including Stephen Norrington and James Robinson, Jaume Collet-Serra, and Garry Whitta. Despite these changes, momentum always stalled before a satisfactory script or vision could secure a path forward. This period of instability further highlighted the inherent difficulties of reimagining Otomo’s story, especially given its deep inspiration from Japan’s history with the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World War II.
Waititi’s Attempt and Production Stagnation
In 2017, Warner Bros. reignited hopes for the adaptation by approaching Taika Waititi, then best known for his work in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, to direct the film. Waititi officially accepted the role in 2019, and a release date was initially set for May 2021. However, the production quickly encountered setbacks as Waititi committed to a string of demanding projects, including Thor: Love and Thunder and a Star Wars film, both impacting Akira’s timeline.
The last concrete update on Waititi’s Akira came in November 2023. While promoting his comedic film Next Goal Wins, Waititi indicated the adaptation would remain faithful to Otomo’s manga source material, stating,
“Obviously, I think people who loved the film, I want to make sure that they’ve also read the books because there’s a lot more in the books than there are in the film,”
—Taika Waititi, Director. He added,
“And some people are very protective over the film, which is not quite the same as the books. So we’re drawing a lot from the books.”
—Taika Waititi, Director. Yet despite these assurances, progress on the project was never visibly realized, and the persistent delays ultimately led to Warner Bros. releasing the rights.
What Lies Ahead for Akira’s Future
Currently, the precise impact of Taika Waititi’s involvement and development work on Akira remains unclear. While the cancellation has disappointed some fans, for others, it represents
“the second happy ending ever experienced by the residents of Neo-Tokyo,”
suggesting a sense of relief among purists who valued Otomo’s original vision.
Interest in adapting Akira remains strong within the film industry, as indicated by reports of new producers and talent expressing interest. However, Akira’s uniquely Japanese themes continue to pose adaptation challenges for any future team. With Kodansha once again holding the rights, the legacy of Akira rests in the balance, awaiting a studio or creative vision capable of translating its complexities without compromising the story’s origins or significance.
