Taikia Waititi Confirmed to Direct Live-Action Akira Film

It’s official: Taikia Waititi is set to direct Warner Bros.’ live-action Akira film. The studio has confirmed to Deadline that the Thor: Ragnarok director will direct the film, which has receieved a big $18.5 million tax credit to film in California. The movie is expected to spend as much as $92 million in the state.

“We are thrilled with the opportunity to shoot ‘Akira’ in California,” said Ravi Mehta, Warner Bros. Pictures EVP of physical production and finance. “The availability of top-notch crew members, plus the wide variety of location choices and predictable weather are second to none.”

THe film is based on the iconic manga series by Katsuhiro Otomo. It was previously adapted by Otomo into a groundbreaking anime film in 1988.

The movie adaptation has carried this synopsis for years: Set in a future city environment called New Manhattan, the Akira film follows the leader of a bike gang who must save his best friend, who has been experimented on by the government causing him to develop dangerous and destructive psychokinetic powers.