Jessica
A couple of weeks ago, THR revealed which actors were up for the role of Tetsuo for Jaume Collet-Serra’s “Akira”, based on the Japanese anime comic of the same name, and with “Tron: Legacy” actor Garett Hedlund now the front-runner for the role of Kaneda, the film’s plot synopsis may have been revealed.
According to the site Acting-Auditions, Garrett Hedlund will play Kaneda, Kristen Stewart is Ky (although she’s only been offered the part, not confirmed), Ken Watanabe is The Colonel, and Helena Bonham Carter is Lady Miyako. Bonham-Carter’s role has been offered, but no confirmation. In October, Gary Oldman was listed as possibly starring as the Colonel.
The rumored synopsis is as follows:
Kaneda (Hedlund) is a bar owner in Neo-Manhattan who is stunned when his brother, Tetsuo, is abducted by government agents led by The Colonel.
Desperate to get his brother back, Kaneda agrees to join with Ky Reed (Stewart) and her underground movement who are intent on revealing to the world what truly happened to New York City thirty years ago when it was destroyed. Kaneda believes their theories to be ludicrous but after finding his brother again, is shocked when he displays telekinetic powers.
Ky believes Tetsuo is headed to release a young boy, Akira, who has taken control of Tetsuo’s mind. Kaneda clashes with The Colonel’s troops on his way to stop Tetsuo from releasing Akira but arrives too late. Akira soon emerges from his prison courtesy of Tetsuo as Kaneda races in to save his brother before Akira once again destroys Manhattan island, as he did thirty years ago.
Leonardo DiCaprio is producing through his Appian Way production company. Production will begin this spring in Vancouver, BC.
