Director Jaume Collett-Serra is back in talks with Warner Bros. about re-signing to helm the live-action adaptation of the world famous anime Akira, which he walked away from in 2012 when the production stalled out.
 
According to Variety, the studio shut down pre-production to make script changes, including trimming the reported $90 million budget.  Collett-Serra was in demand after success with the Liam Neeson starring Unknown (see "Jaume Collet-Serra to Helm 'Akira'").  He eventually landed another Neeson-starring picture, Non-Stop, which is in post-production, and is currently working with the actor again on Run All Night, which is in pre-production and will tie the director up until early 2014.  This would mean Akira couldn’t begin before spring 2014.
 
The live-action version of Katsuhiro Otomo’s manga and anime was acquired by Warner Bros. from Japanese manga publisher Kodansha in 2008 for a seven-figure sum.  The live action setting was changed from Neo-Tokyo to New Manhattan.
 
Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Davisson Killoran of Appian Way are still attached to produce, along with Mad Chance’s Andrew Lazer.  Katsuhiro Otomo, writer and director of the 1988 anime will executive produce. 
 
Garrett Hedlund (Tron: Legacy) was attached to star at one point, but it is unknown if he or any of the other rumored cast from 2011 (see "'Akira' Gets Green Light" and "'Akira' Casting") will be involved when production gets underway.