Ken Watanabe Might Join 'Akira' Remake

In an ode to the original 'Akira' flick being Japanese, it is just fitting to cast someone from 'the land of the rising sun' for the remake.

Seasoned actor Ken Watanabe was reportedly been offered to join the ensemble cast of the 'Akira' remake. However, it is the same role that producers are previously pegging for Gary Oldman.

The 'Inception' star is in talks to play The Colonel, a government official responsible for harnessing the psychokinetic powers of rogue teen Tetsuo, according to Twitch.

Watanabe's connection with Warner Bros, the ones who acquired the Akira's remake rights, might be a factor to his casting, which isn't that bad considering his strong performance on 'Inception'.

The Warner company is scanning the horizon once again, especially now that Oldman reportedly turned down the role after deal has been on limbo for quite some time.

This news is part of a series of deals the studio has been making with a several actors and actresses. Last week, upcoming actors Toby Kebell and Paul Dano have been screen-tested for the role of Tetsuo.

On the other hand, Garrett Hedlund, Kristen Stewart and Helena Bonham Carter are currently in line to play the roles of Kanada, Kei and Lady Miyako, respectively.

Other casting rumors have spread like wildfire, but the outfit has yet to finalize everything. Plus, with several problems the remake is experiencing, the production's fate still hangs on the clouds.

Serialized as a manga in the 1980s by Katsuhiro Otomo in Japan, Akira has been adapted into an anime film in 1988, and has been a cult favorite ever since.

The tale is set in the futuristic and dystopian city of Neo Tokyo, where it follows gang-leader Kaneda in his pursuit to rescue his wayward friend Tetsuo from corrupt government figures who are planning to harness the latter's psychokinetic powers.

The remake has been written by 'Harry Potter' screenwriter Steve Kloves, with the setting being Americanized and transplanted to 'Neo Manhattan'. Meanwhile, director Jaume Collet-Sera will be at the helm, with filming scheduled to begin next spring.

Tentative release date for the feature is said to be sometime on 2013.