News from Neo-Tokyo: Taika Waititi's Akira Sets for 2021 Release


On May 21, 2021, get ready to E-X-P-L-O-D-E.

What We Do in the Shadows and Thor Ragnarok director Taika Waititi's forthcoming live-action adaptation of the landmark manga series Akira is set to open in the U.S. in 2021, according to Warner Bros., with a release date set to compete with John Wick Chapter 4. Katsuhiro Otomo's manga series ran from 1982 to 1990, with an anime adaptation directed by the creator himself releasing to critical acclaim in 1988. 

Waititi's next film, a dark comedy titled Jojo Rabbit, is set to release on October 18th, and he is also one of many confirmed directors for episodes of Disney's upcoming Star Wars series The Mandalorian. Akira is being produced by Leonardo DiCaprio through his Appian Way releasing company. Christopher Nolan was originally rumored to be attached as director of the Akira adaptation to be turned into a trilogy, but this was later debunked as Waititi was confirmed as the director.