Warner Bros. To Decide On The Fate Of Akira Soon

ShowBlitz reports that the studio is going to be making to decision to greenlight their Akira adaptation or not. The project has had a long history of problems loosing two of it's directors and testing many actors but nothing came from it. Names like Michael Fassbender (First Class, Prometheus, 300), James McAvoy (First Class, Wanted), Andrew Garfield (Amazing Spider-Man, Social Network), Keanu Reeves (Matrix Trilogy, Point Break, Speed), Garrett Hedlund (Tron Legacy), Chris Pine (Star Trek 1-2, This Means War), Justin Timberlake (Social Network) and Joaquin Phoenix have been linked for testing.

Fans had been angry over the whitewash casting along with moving the location from Tokyo to Manhattan. It's budget was also too large likely since the whole movie is a gamble at this point. The studio wouldn't want to spend too much money if the fanbase isn't there. Last summer they gambled with high-concept Green Lantern which turned out to be a critical and financial blunder.

Madisen Beaty Joins Paul Thomas Anderson's Master

FilmStage has confirmed that young actress Madisen Beaty (Benjamin Button) has joined Paul Thomas Anderson's (Boogie Nights) The Master. The religious drama already stars Philip Seymour Hoffman, Joaquin Phoenix, Amy Adams, Jesse Plemons, David Warshofsky, Laura Dern, Lena Endre and Rami Malek.

Amy Adams Joins Paul Thomas Anderson's The Master

Deadline reports three time Oscar-nominated actress Amy Adams (Man of Steel, The Fighter, Doubt, Junebug) has nabbed the female lead in Paul Thomas Anderson's (Boogie Nights, There Will Be Blood) The Master. It focuses on Lancaster Dodd (Hoffman), who returns from WWII and starts a religion not unlike Scientology, taking Freddie Sutton (Phoenix), a former alcoholic, under his wing. Amy has been cast as Dodd’s wife who acts as his caretaker and vigilant lieutenant.

The film stars Philip Seymour Hoffman, Joaquin Phoenix, Jesse Plemons (Friday Night Lights, Observe & Report), Lena Endre (Millennium Trilogy), David Warshofsky and Laura Dern (Wild At Heart). Originally the wife role had Reese Witherspoon attached along with Jeremy Renner for Sutton but it didn't work out. It starts production within the month so more casting announcements are expected.

Short-List Of Actors For Akira Revealed

Warner Bros. had previously hit some bumps when James Franco and Mila Kunis passed on Akira to make Oz, The Great & Powerful. They the hired Steve Kloves (Amazing Spider-Man, Harry Potter) screenwriter to rework the script and now have a short list of actors for the two leads. Deadline reports that the new script has been given to Garrett Hedlund, Michael Fassbender, Chris Pine, Justin Timberlake and Joaquin Phoenix for the role of Kaneda. Robert Pattinson, Andrew Garfield and James McAvoy are up for the role of Tetsuo.

Garrett Hedlund and Andrew Garfield are my favorites for the leads. Hedlund recently stepped into the world of blockbuster leads with Tron Legacy which he turned down Captain America for. Andrew Garfield is another great name to have involved as part of the best movie of last year (Social Network) and becoming the new Spider-Man his star is quickly rising.

James McAvoy could also fit the role of Tetsuo nicely. Chris Pine and Michael Fassbender are likely busy with Star Trek 2 and Prometheus. While Robert Pattinson and Justin Timberlake will give an instant cringe factor to the fanbase. Joaquin Phoenix seems too creditable and a little too old for the film.

Joaquin Phoenix To Join Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter?

Joaquin Phoenix "retired" from acting to focus on his rap career giving material for Casey Affleck's mockumentary I'm Still Here. Deadline reports that Phoenix could return to acting with a supporting role in Timur Bekmambetov's Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter. Previously Joaquin Phoenix had been rumored to be in the running to be the new Bruce Banner in  The Avengers before Mark Ruffalo was cast. He would play Henry Sturges a vampire who trains Abe to kill evil vampires. Benjamin Walker is portraying a young Abe.

RUMOR: Joaquin Phoenix Offered Hulk Role?

CHUD is reporting that an offer has gone out to Joaquin Phoenix replacing Edward Norton as Bruce Banner in Avengers.

"Reliable sources tell me that Marvel has already put out an offer, and the actor they've spoken to is Joaquin Phoenix, believe it or not. Phoenix is taking time to mull over the offer and the bigger implications - Marvel may yet resurrect the Hulk franchise - but Marvel hopes to have him in place by Comic Con, which is when they want to announce their new Bruce Banner."