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Efron Not Starring in Akira, Mandate Nixes Oldboy Rumor
posted on by Gia Manry
The GossipCop website reports on Thursday that a representative for the Hughes Brothers, who are attached to direct a live-action adaptation of Katsuhiro Ōtomo's Akira, has stated that recent rumors that actor Zac Efron (High School Musical) has been offered the lead role in the film are "not true." Warner Bros. has not responded to ANN's requests for comments on this rumor. Warner Bros. has also not responded to ANN's requests for comments on the rumor that Morgan Freeman (The Dark Knight, Red) has been offered the role of "the Colenol" (Colonel Shikishima) in the same film.
A representative from Mandate Pictures has told ANN on Wednesday that recent rumors that Mark Protosevich (I Am Legend, Poseidon) is working on a nearly-complete script for a live-action adaptation of Nobuaki Minegishi and Garon Tsuchiya's Oldboy are "all Internet rumor mill" and that the company does not have information about the film to share at this time. The Japanese publisher Futabasha stated its support for a planned Hollywood movie adaptation of the manga last year.
