Big rumor: Zac Efron might play Kaneda in Akira

Our blog has been pretty fanboyish of late, but what are you going to do? This news is big though, it is an atom bomb. I heard that Akira was going ahead with the Hughes brothers at the helm. That pissed me off a lot because I don’ t think the Hughes brothers have really made a good move since their first feature. Regardless, obviously from the title you know what is up – Zach Efron was offered the role of Kaneda.

Now it is really, really hard to describe what Akira is to people who are unaware. Most people know it as a really influential anime from the mid-eighties. That it is, but before that it was a hugely influential manga that changed the world of cyberpunk.

What’s cyberpunk you ask? Well, Wikipedia it. I don’t wanna’ use a whole post explaining it, but it is really cool. Most people thought the pressure was on when Snyder made Watchman. I think Akira is a great deal more sacred and the producers have already been shitting all over it.

Do I think Efron is a bad choice? Surprisingly I think he is a great choice. Naturally I think the conversion of Asian to white actors is kind of racist, but hey, how else can you make a bazillion dollar movie? Efron will be bring the androgynous look that so defines the Japanese “pretty-man” look.

Moreover, what I think is most important is who will be cast as Tetsuo. I’m literally shitting myself wondering. I read in the same article that Joseph Gordon-Levitt might play the part, which would be tits, but I’m still holding my breath. After I saw X-men origins: Wolverine and The Last Airbender I literally can take no more poor adaptations. If the Hughes brothers butt fuck the best manga ever, I’ll be devastated.

Lastly, if you haven’t read any manga, please don’t be a douche and say that it is just for weirdos. Yes, lots and lots of weirdos read manga, but that is no reason not to read it. A lot of freaks watch and read porno and you still use it.

Grab a copy of Akira at your local library, hide it from you girlfriend or boyfriend if you have to, but read it. Akira is a great place to start in the manga world, but be careful, you might get hooked.

It is violent, action-packed, and all six volumes are a really quick read. I’m mad about the film being PG-13, but after seeing Walking Dead on TV, I’m convinced violence means nothing compared to cursing and sex.

-Collin