With the somewhat recent influx of popularity that's hit the anime genre, it should come as no surprise that Hollywood has ideas for even more live-action adaptations. Historically the big screen and anime haven't been buddies when it comes to these live-action remakes but as of late with films like James Cameron's Alita Battle Angel, Rupert Sanders's Ghost in the Shell, and the recent Fumihiko Sori's Fullmetal Alchemist the light at the end of the tunnel isn't so dim.
Does that mean you shouldn't worry about the future of live-action anime films? Probably not, but that worry definitely won't stop Hollywood from making them. The least you can do is know what's around the horizon and prepare. Here are 5 live-action anime adaptations that are currently in development and 5 more that are in the rumor mill.
10 IN DEVELOPMENT: COWBOY BEBOP
Most of the series including the writing has been settled and filming has since long ago begun but we still have yet to see even a hint of a release date. We do however know our cast will consist of John Cho as Spike Spiegal, Alex Hassell as Vicious, Danielle Pienda as Faye Valentine, and Mustafa Shakir as Jet Black.
For those that are excited about this live-action Netflix adaptation, the wait might be even longer than anticipated as not long ago production was shut down for a few months due to an on-set injury of John Cho. Everyone will have to wait a bit longer to see their favorite space cowboy live.
9 RUMORED: VOLTRON
Years ago there was a confirmed Voltron live-action film in the works courtesy of Dreamworks. As of the 2016 Universal Pictures acquisition of Dreamworks, writer of the Watchmen and X-Men films David Hayder (yes, the David Hayder known for his voice of Metal Gear's Solid Snake) has been set on board to write Voltron's live-action debut screenplay.
It's been three years and we've still seen no sign of a trailer nor tease of Voltron anywhere. Although the success of the new Netflix series may be the sign to speed up production and get the project rolling.
8 IN DEVELOPMENT: YOUR NAME
The live-action sister film of the hit anime romantic fantasy film Your Name has been in development for quite a while with announcements going all the way back to 2017. With director Marc Webb (known for 500 Days of Summer, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, and Gifted) on board to direct.
As of 2017 producer, J.J Abrams announced the film has been worked on and will be released by Paramount Pictures and Bad Robot Productions with lots of input from the original creators. Writer Eric Heisserer, the film's writer, has since announced that the film will be done from a western point of view and will feature a Native American girl and a boy from Chichago switching bodies.
7 RUMORED: FULL METAL ALCHEMIST SEQUEL
With the mixed reviews and quiet reception of the original Fullmetal Alchemist live-action movie, it's somewhat surprising to hear talks of a sequel at all. The film was released in 2017 and has since then hit Netflix in homes everywhere.
That same year at Anime Expo 2017 the director and lead actor of the film announced that a live Full Metal Alchemist sequel was underway. However, two years later there has been nothing but quiet on the topic. Is this live-action sequel still in development or in development hell? Only time will tell.
6 IN DEVELOPMENT: ATTACK ON TITAN
With the 2015 Japanese live-action adaptation of Attack on Titan being a theatrical flop, it's somewhat surprising to see American Hollywood give it a try. As of 2018, it is confirmed that Warner Bros. has acquired the rights to produce an Attack on Titan live film and has signed on IT director, Andy Muschietti to direct.
This film has not seen the light of day yet as one can only imagine the development hell it's been going through since rumors started in 2017 but we at least have confirmation that it will be a thing.
5 RUMORED: NARUTO LIVE ACTION
Ever since 2015, there has been talk of Lionsgate beginning production on a live-action Naruto film. There was even confirmation soon after in 2016 that series creator Masashi Kishimoto is heavily involved with development. Well, three years later and one Naruto series later no new news has been shared besides the appointed director, Michael Gracey's discomfort in the whole ordeal.
As of 2018 the film has been confirmed to be stuck in development hell until the perfect script is agreed upon. It's not too uncommon for something like this to end up with a film not even seeing the light of day so this isn't something you'll want to hold your excitement for.
4 IN DEVELOPMENT: AKIRA
The Akira live action development cycle feels like the longest one ever. Warner Bros. has held the rights to create and distribute said adaptation since 2002 and just recently Taika Waititi has been confirmed to be on board to direct. Soon after that, the project was once again delayed due to the director's involvement with the upcoming film Thor: Love and Thunder.
As of October, Taika Waititi gives his word that the live-action adaptation is still happening just not now or anytime soon for that matter, much to the pleasure of the uneasy fans.
3 RUMORED: ROBOTECH
Another film stuck in the grasp of development hell. Robotech, a westernized series adaptation of the Japanese anime Macross has been in talks to have an adaptation of its own in development. These talks go back as far as the early 2000s, with early rumors having actors like Leonardo Dicaprio and Tobey Maguire in lead roles.
The film has been through multiple director changes with the most recent being IT director, Andy Muschietti. Jason Fuchs has been confirmed on board to write and ever since those announcements, news has fallen silent. This could be another case of indefinite development hell.
2 IN DEVELOPMENT: ONE PIECE
Everyone's favorite pirate anime and manga has been confirmed to have a live-action adaptation in development. The series has been confirmed to be produced by Tomorrow Studios who are also producing the live-action Cowboy Bebop series.
Tomorrow Studios is a well-known name and is no newbie when it comes to adaptations of eastern media as they've set out and announced these two series as upcoming projects among others. The quality of these series, however, we'll have to wait and see. The announcement has left fans with worry and unease, as we know how so many live anime adaptations end up.
1 RUMORED: STAR BLAZERS
Talks of a live-action Star Blazers (or Space Battleship Yamato) adaptation go all the way back to Walt Disney Picture's optioning of the rights to produce with Josh C. Kline as the producer. Since then in 2010 a Japanese live-action version was released and the next year talks of a western version opened back up that lead to nothing.
In 2017 talks began again and new producer David Ellison has stated that Zach Dean was signed on as a scriptwriter for the film and Mission Impossible director, Christopher McQuarrie will be joining the project. As of then, McQuarrie has said nothing on the project and more Mission Impossible films have been announced. With that being the case there are no promises or clear signs that this film will ever get off the ground.