Keanu Reeves is in talks to play the lead Kaneda in the big studio live action remake of Akira, a two-film adaptation to be directed by the Hughes brothers (see “Hughes Brothers Helming Akira”), according to Hollywood Reporter. If Reeves gets the role, he will have moved ahead of Robert Pattinson, Andrew Garfield, James McAvoy, Garrett Hedlund, Michael Fassbender, Chris Pin, Justin Timberlake, and Joaquin Phoenix, who were considered for the role. That list aroused the ire of fans, who felt that the characters should be portrayed by Asian actors (see “Akira Casting Draws Ire”).