The only sure to be movies are the last three titles, because notice all the "supposedly"'s and "Rumored"'s in Akira and DBZ.Replay Magazine wrote:
The Matrix spawned The Animatrix, Lizzie McGuire begat her own manga, and Escape From New York will receive an animated sequel next winter via Snake Plissken Chronicles. In a tantalizing twist, celebrated Japanese anime properties now are being transformed into their own live-action adaptations. Over the next two years, expect a flurry of animated titles to resurface on the living, breathing big screen.
AKIRA
Director Stephen Norrington(Blade, League of Extraordinary Gentlemen) is reportedly helming Warner Bros.' rendition of this grim sci-fi tale, which is being adapted by League screenwriter James Robinson. We're hoping that modern digital effects will do justice to Akira's stunning, futuristic neo-Tokyo landscapes and eye-popping, metamorphic climax. A possible early-2004 release is pending.
DRAGON BALL Z
One of the hottest anime properties ever, it seems only appropriate DBZ is preparing to go live. Foz 2000 Pictures supposedly has this flick scheduled for release in the next year, with a rumored budget of $100 million. If all goes well, a full-on franchise could be in the works. Fox will reportedly collaborate on other properties in the library of DBZ's publisher, Shueisha, as part of a licensing deal between the two companies.
KITE
Through the Distant Horizon company, director Rob Cohen(XXX, The Fast and the Furious) will remake Yasuomi Umetsu's anime shocker, excising two controversial rape scenes. Kite is the unsettling tale of a young woman who, following the murder of her parents, is trained to assasinate people for a vengeful detective--shades of La Femme Nikita, for sure.
LUPIN THE 3RD
Oscar-winning producer Gerald R. Molen(Schindler's List, Minority Report) has aquired the live-action film rights to the famous Monkey Punch manga Lupin the 3rd. This tale of the wily but gentlemanly theif, who is forever pursued by bumbling Interpol Inspector Zenigata, has inspired a long-running anime series, eight animated features, and thirteen anime series in Japan.
NINJA SCROLL
Considering the arty martial-arts craze propagated by the smash hit Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, the dazzling Ninja Scroll seems only natural for a big-screen translation. Threshold Entertainment anticipates a $60 million, effect-heavy production, with licensing plans to numerous media including television, vide games, and music. Threshold already cashed in with Mortal Kombat; can it work the same magic with this title?
--Bryan Reesman
The other thing not mentioned here is Evangelion. I suspect it's not listed because the security around that one is really tight, or nothing was said because it's still in pre-production and won't be coming out for a very long time.
In case you're wondering, Replay Magazine is a mag shipped out to the members of Replay, a frequent shopper membership for suncoast. It's one of those "buy more and get money back in gift cards!!" sort of things.
Regardless, I trust this magazine a lot, and have gained just over $150 back from using the membership.
