Warner Bros. Picks Up Satori For Leonardo DiCaprio

Deadline reports that Warner Bros. has picked up the rights to Don Winslow's novel Satori as a starring vehicle for Leonardo DiCaprio. Leo will play Nicholai Hel, a Westerner raised in Japan and taught an assassin’s skills, who gets caught up in the chaos of post-WWII as the U.S., Soviet Union, France and China maneuver for power in Southeast Asia in the early 1950s. Shane Salerno will write the film's script with DiCaprio's Appain Way producing. Winslow's other book Savages was also developed into a film by Shane. Directed by Oliver Stone, it stars Aaron Johnson, Taylor Kitsch, Blake Lively, Benicio Del Toro, John Travolta, Salma Hayek and Emile Hirsch.

Satori has potiential to be DiCaprio's first jump into the world of franchises. It seems like a decent mix between old school-Bond meets George Smiley (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy) meets Jason Bourne. Knowing DiCaprio he wouldn't jump into this kind of project unless a talented director ended up making it. The only issue is that DiCaprio has attached himself to projects like this in the past like with Beat The Reaper and The Chaser remake but have never been made.

Mr. Sulu Is Against Akira Whitewash Casting

George Takei is going through something of a revival of his career lately in part with his involvement with the Howard Stern Show as their celebrity announcer. He's best known as the original Mr. Sulu from Star Trek and champion of Gay Rights. George recently Tweeted his support for the Facebook group "Don't Whitewash AKIRA!" petitioning the decision by Warner Bros. to cast white actors for known Japanese roles.

While I had been open to the idea of casting some Western actors. The relocation to Neo-Manhattan and renaming main characters (Western names) aspect sounded weird to me. The fact that none of the rumored actors being offered roles were even Asian was sort of disgusting. The the rumored actors include James Franco, Zac Efron, Michael Fassbender, James McAvoy, Andrew Garfield, Garrett Hedlund, Chris Pine, Justin Timberlake, Joaquin Phoenix Robert Pattinson and Mila Kunis.

Appian Way, Leo DiCaprio's production company could be at fault here as they own the rights and likely have creative control on the film. They've mentioned previously that they want to have a completely Japanese adaptation of Ninja Scroll, so why not Akira? I think the real fans of Akira should voice their opinions and sign the petition. Should we really have to settle for a sub-par adaptation ignoring it's original Japanese roots? Let Warner Bros./Appian Way know your frustration before they start production.

Aquaman Coming After The Flash & Wonder Woman In 2015?

There is word from ComicBookResources (via ScreenRant) that Warner Bros. is indeed moving forward with the live-action Aquaman film. They have quotes from actor Alan Ritchson who plays the hero on Smallville and has knowledge of plans for the film. While it's not ready to go, he states it's likely it will go after Flash and Wonder Woman. It's expected both Flash and Green Lantern 2 will start shooting within the next 12 months. The scripts for both films will be handed in by Christmas. The studio is aiming to release more DC Universe films to replace the gap left by the Harry Potter franchise.

 The last thing I heard, Wonder Woman was taken away from producer Joel Silver by DC Entertainment. Silver was also developing DC films Lobo and St. Rock which had Guy Ritchie attached to direct. There were scripts for Wonder Woman developed one written by Laeta Kalogridis (Avatar, Shutter Island, Ghost In The Shell) in 2003. Nicolas Winding Refn (Pusher Trilogy, Bronson) said he'd love to helm the film. It's not clear what stage of development the project is currently in but could move quickly like The Flash did. I believe it would work best if it was straight up action fantasy film similar to 300 or Troy. Not every character needs to be linked together in the same cinematic world like what Marvel Studios is doing.






This isn't the first time the film has been brought up to be in the works. Previously THR stated that Appian Way had stepped in to work on the film's development long with Adam Strange. The production company which Leonardo DiCaprio owns fueled speculation he could possibly play the hero. While it's surprising to me that Legendary Pictures (Dark Knight Rises, Superman) isn't making the film, Appian Way is a rising production company. They've helped create some interesting films like Public Enemies and Shutter Island. They're also developing live-cation films based on Akira and Ninja Scroll for Warners.

I expect they would try to keep the film more in the fantasy realm not including the ridiculous side of the character seen in the older comics and cartoons. Likely centering on the mystical world of Atlantis which is focused in the Sword of Atlantis series. I imagine it would be a mix between John Carter of Mars, Thor and Clash of The Titans. Aquaman isn't the most popular character in the DC Universe but he does have some interesting film potential.

Do You Think We Really Need An Aquaman Movie??? Who Should Play Him?? Please Leave Your Comments!!