WB To Remake Classic Japanese 'Akira'

Akira

Warner Bros. Pictures will produce a live-action, English-language remake of Japan's anime classic "Akira," reports Variety.

Stephen Norrington, who has just wrapped "The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen," has reteamed with "League" screenwriter James Robinson to develop the project. Jon Peters will produce.

Released in 1988, "Akira" was the brainchild of Katsuhiro Otomo, who directed the film and wrote the comic from which it stemmed.

The remake will tell the story of a bike gang leader who must rescue his younger brother from his involvement in Akira, a secret government project. In the process, the biker must do battle with anti-government activists, greedy politicians and irresponsible scientists.