Fiction Friday: “AKIRA” Movie to be Localized for Americans
Disclaimer: The following is a work of fiction for the use of parody only. Any data or events cited are most likely pure fabrication. Please read for enjoyment and the satirical viewpoint, not for facts.
It was released today that Ezra Miller, who was ask to play Tetsuo in the new, all-white Akira movie, has turned down the roll. It seems that the roll of Tetsuo has met much controversy as director Jaume Collet-Serra says he needs the all-Anglo-Saxon protestant cast of this movie to be a perfect representation of the source material in a localized format.
The original movie “Akira” was directed by Katsuhiro Otomo and was an animated movie based on a manga series. It is one of the shining stars of the Japanese animation community; the movie is considered one of the prime examples of an anime that has been both a gateway for new anime viewers as well as an impact those working in the field of animation. That is why Serra has been working to make sure the new “Akira” movie is a complete experience that will be more understandable for a western audience.
The first step Serra took was to change the entire location the movie takes place. Instead of taking place in the post-apocalyptic steam-punk world of Neo-Tokyo, the story will now take place in Neo-Manhattan, which we all know is the epicenter of all western future stories. Serra has also seen fit in his crusade to make the perfect western “Akira” to enlist the help of actor such as Garrett Hedlund, who is known for playing one of the white brothers in “Four Brothers” and Gary Oldman, who played the white commissioner in “Dark Knight.”
Serra has decided also to change few other things in the script to make it more relatable to an American audience. Instead of having the original names that were in the source material, names will be made more relatable such as John and Mary. He as also decided that it would be in the best interest of the movie’s success to call it “ALBERT” so that people are not turned off by the fact that it is based of a Japanese style animation.
Serra believes that the movie will be a success and may even start creating a larger market for western-styled Eastern movies. He thinks the adaptation will be as well accepted as the 1998 version of Godzilla that, coincidently also takes place inManhattan. If you are a fan of only western movies, I suggest you watch the new and improve “ALBERT.”
Sarcastically,
~~Z-ComiX
November 19, 2011 @ 2:54 am
Huh, I swore my up and down that the Akira manga on my shelf doesn’t say ALBERT on any of the books.
Is this guy trying to be another Carl Macek? I mean, I can understand character name changes for a “western” audience, but to downright change the title like that… I mean, come on now. I think Americans wont mind the name of Akira to stay the same, as long as the movie looks cool enough they want to pay full price for.
November 19, 2011 @ 2:57 am
PS: I was too tired to read that disclaimer, but it would not surprise me if this was true in the end.
November 19, 2011 @ 10:37 pm
lol, i like your rage. and yeah, i would surprise me either.
November 19, 2011 @ 4:21 am
I laughed out loud reading this… But sadly I have to agree with ZeonicFreak, wouldn’t be THAT shocking, if it happenes you can say you guessed it first!
November 19, 2011 @ 10:37 pm
lol, its possible. I’m gonna watch it to see how it turns out… when its in redbox of course. But really, why are there no Asians in it and why can’t it take place in Neo-Tokyo?
November 21, 2011 @ 1:08 pm
I “heard” (to take that likely) that the movies will follow along the manga or the first 3 books. I had the pleasure of reading the first 3 last summer (still need to finish it) and thought it was the best thing I have read in a long time. So EVEN if the names and title are changed, as long as the manga is being portrayed on the movie and not from the anime, I wont be “too” upset.
November 21, 2011 @ 8:48 pm
yeah, they’ll probably get the core stuff alright, but im more worried about the fact that it is being to westernized. they’re taking away from the fact that it was a Japanese created property. they should a least get some Asian actors, or even have still take place in neo-Tokyo, otherwise it starts to loose some of its roots.