I don't like Akira. In fact, I HATE Akira. I consider it to be a fairly run-of-the-mill blood-n-guts anime with an irritatingly "deep" plot and thoroughly unlikable characters, albeit with awesome animation. However, even Akira didn't deserve to be turned into yet another big, dumb, action movie.
http://www.cracked.com/blog/the-actual-live-action-akira-script-worse-than-you-think/
I hope that article is a joke.
I wonder which version of the script this is? Different people and studios have been taking shots at this thing since the early 90s.
My best friend (who is not an anime fan) summarizes his remote viewing of Akira thus:
"Akiraaaa!"
"Kanedaaaaa!!!!"
*blam blam blam blam blam blam!!!*
Lather, rinse, repeat.
Gotta admit that's all of it I remember too. :P
Okay, coming from someone who loves Akira, I've been worried about a live action version since I read about it just after reading the manga for the first time. The worst one I heard about was when they were talking about having Leonardo DiCaprio as Kaneda.
I really hope that this article is either inaccurate, or the live action version just won't happen. :bluesad: