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‘Akira’ Not Dead Yet, Despite Vancouver Office Closing And Test Option Expirations With Lead Actors (Deadline Hollywood)

Is _Akira_ on the rocks with Warner Bros? I'm told that along with Warner Bros
closing the Vancouver production office, the studio let lapse the test options
deals it had with Dane DeHaan and Michael Pitt. Both actors had been competing
for the lead role of Tetsuo, to star alongside Garrett Hedlund, Kristin
Stewart, and potentially Ken Watanabe and Helena Bonham Carter. DeHaan and
_Boardwalk Empire_ star Pitt have been vying for that role since late last
year. Neither was chosen over the other, and since those option deals ended
today, it remains an open question whether either will keep the slot open to
see if this movie goes forward. The film was all but greenlit, with production
slated to begin March 5. What's the problem? _Akira _sounds not a lot
different than what has happened at the studio to the films _Arthur & Lancelot
_and Legendary Pictures' big-budget film _Paradise Lost._ I've even heard
turbulence on the_ 300_ prequel _Xerxes_. Basically, the studio is
scrutinizing everything._ Akira_, which was bought years ago and put on a fast
track when Albert Hughes was going to direct it. While reports indicate Warner
Bros has problems with ...

Deadline Hollywood