Four Possible Actors In The Running For Akira's Tetsuo

Now that Garrett Hedlund is likely taking the role of Kaneda in Akira there is the possibility we already know who might be up for the second lead of Tetsuo. Hedlund was apart of casting group for his part and there was a second smaller group testing for Tetsuo. That group included James McAvoy (Wanted, X-Men First Class), Andrew Garfield (Amazing Spider-Man, Social Network) and Robert Pattinson. Joseph Gordon-Levitt had been linked for the role when it was originally reported Warner Bros. was going to develop the project.

I wouldn't count Joseph out of the race until an actual name is attached. He's been quietly gathering steam at the studio starring in Christopher Nolan's Inception and The Dark Knight Rises. Not to mention working with DiCaprio (who is a producer) on two films including Quentin Tarantino's upcoming Django Unchained. James McAvoy might be a good fit but he has sequels on the horizon that include Wanted 2 and a X-Men First Class sequel. Andrew Garfield might have a little more leeway than James as he only has Amazing Spider-Man 2 coming up which might go into production until the first film's box office numbers come back. It's expected that Akira will be starting production soon. While I don't entirely count out Robert Pattinson he is going to turn off the male audiences who attribute him to the quality bankrupt Twilight franchise. Not a good idea since there is already enough hate on this project without terrible casting choices.

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.

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.

Keira Knighley Replacing Marion Cotillard In Cronenberg's Cosmopolis?

ThePlaylist says that Keira Knightley could possibly be taking over the female lead in David Cronenberg's Cosmopolis. Marion Cotillard originally was set to star but likely had to leave over her recent pregancy. It's not the first casting shake up on the film as Robert Pattinson took over for Colin Farrell who left to focus on Total Recall. Paul Giamatti has been in talks for a role in the film but nothing has been confirmed. The production starts shooting in May so an announcement should be made soon.

While I'm not a fan of Pattinson's work I'm curious to see anything made by Cronenberg. It would make sense to see Knighley join the production as the role would be the wife of Robert's character. The actors are similar in age and make more sense to be paired up. Keria recently worked with Cronenberg on the film A Dangerous Method and could have made an impression with the director. I'm curious if Knighley is still up for a role in The Dark Knight Rises.