After a bit of a dilemma involving casting offers to Brad Pitt and Mila Kunis, the adaptation of the classic graphic novel Akira is finally moving ahead. The most crucial casting, of course, would be that of the two leads Kaneda and Tetsuo. Actors on the shortlist for Kaneda include Michael Fassbender, Garrett Hedlund, Chris Pine, Joaquin Phoenix, and Justin Timberlake, whereas Andrew Garfield, Robert Pattinson, and James McAvoy are reportedly on the Tetsuo shortlist. Deadline Hollywood suspects that filming will begin in August.
The characters are known for being younger teenage types, but age probably carries little to no importance in this casting. The studio previously offered Brad Pitt the role of Kaneda, and James Franco at one point was being talked about for one of the primary roles. If Joaquin Phoenix is a possibility, then there’s clearly no focus on age. Then again, for most it doesn’t seem to be a problem.
After all, we see twenty-somethings play teens in popular media such as The Twilight Saga and television’s Glee. Additionally, twenty-year-old Oscar nominee Jennifer Lawrence was just recently cast as the 14-year-old Katniss Everdeen in The Hunger Games.
For fans of the original, who do you think would work best in these roles?