Posted in: Casting, Movies, Warner Bros | Tagged: akira, Kaneda, taika waititi, Tetsua, Warner Bros

Warner Bros Definitely NOT Casting for "Akira" Movie

There has been a lot of speculation around the Bleeding Cool offices this morning over a casting call that just went out from Warner Bros. While it would be easy to think that these description read an awful lot like the characters from Akira, there are several things that totally make us think this is a casting call for something completely different.

First, the names are all wrong. How could you cast for Akira and get all of the names wrong? Also, there isn't a single role here for Scarlet Johansson to play, so this couldn't possibly be a Hollywood adaptation of an anime movie.

So, here's the casting call for a Warner Bros. movie that is definitely not Akira:

WARNER BROS OPEN CASTING CALL NOTICE

We're on an incredible new PRINCIPAL CASTING SEARCH for an undisclosed Warner Bros film! Seeking LEAD ROLES.

No acting experience necessary!

We're looking for people to play JAPANESE for LEAD roles (18-20's). And people to play ASIAN (Japanese a plus) for other LEAD & SUPPORTING roles (teens 18-20's AND kids 9-11).

We share our casting notices so everyone gets an opportunity!

* If right for a role, follow submission instructions!

* If not, feel free to FWD, share, refer or delete!

"BOX 28" (an undisclosed Warner Bros film) ROLES:
** No other roles at this time! Check our social accounts for updates! **

Especially looking for JUN: Male, to play Japanese, English speaking. Must be legal 18-20's to play 18: Sharp-eyed, sinewy, tough, handsome, cool. He is the leader of a street gang of teenagers & knows how to have a good time. JUN should not be too cool or too tough. He's a scrappy, ragtag kid who's not worried about anything. Your weird, natural authentic self is encouraged! LEAD.

KOICHI: Male, to play Japanese, English speaking. Must be legal 18-20's to play 17: Constantly forced to punch up in order to survive. He's fearless to the point of recklessness. He is haunted by the loss of a loved one. LEAD.

MISA: Female, to play Japanese, English speaking. Must be legal 18-30: Beautiful, intelligent, strong-willed. She is a member of an anti-government organization trying to save her city. LEAD.

REINA: Female, to play Asian, English speaking (Japanese a plus). Must be legal 18-20's to play 17: Gentle, kind, cute, compassionate. She is a member of a biker gang & cares deeply for Koichi. SUPPORTING LEAD.

TAKAMATSU: Male, to play Asian, English speaking (Japanese a plus). Must be legal 18-20's to play 18: Large, tough, loyal, short-fused. A member of Jun's gang & a close friend. SUPPORTING LEAD. .

YUKI: Male, to play Asian, English speaking (Japanese a plus). Must be legal 18-20's to play 16: A small, clever, brainy technical wiz, he is the youngest member of Jun's street gang. SUPPORTING LEAD.

GEN: Male, to play Asian, English speaking (Japanese a plus), age 10: A small, mysterious boy on an urgent mission; he is humble, shy, compassionate & wise beyond his years. SUPPORTING LEAD.

AIMI: Female, to play Asian, English speaking (Japanese a plus), age 10: A mysterious girl on an urgent mission; she is kind, gentle, compassionate & wise beyond her years. SUPPORTING LEAD.

SUMIO: Male, to play Asian, English speaking (Japanese a plus), age 10: A larger, mysterious boy on an urgent mission; he is bold, brave compassionate and wise beyond his years. SUPPORTING LEAD.

Breaking it Down

Reading through this list, it would be easy to draw some parallels to Akira and think that this is obviously the casting call for the long-rumored live action version of the classic anime movie. And you would be right in remembering that Warner Bros. has the rights to Akira. And you might also remember that Taika Waititi has been signed to direct that movie.

But… Japanese actors are being cast to play Japanese characters? How could this be a Hollywood adaptation of Akira without all the wrong people being cast to play the leads? Could Warner Bros. actually be getting the casting right on this?

If so, kudos all around. Akira is a very Japanese story, and the casting rumors over the last 30 years for a live action movie have been everything but Japanese. This could be a huge step towards getting the adaptation right.

If only I could believe that this casting was for Akira— but the names are all wrong.

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