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25 Anime remakes: Hollywood's new cash cow

Now that comic movies have definitely been accepted by a general audience it’s time for Hollywood to find another cash cow. They just might have found that in Anime (and Manga) movies.

Beneath you’ll find a list of 25 Anime movies with a ‘Live Action’ or a Computer Generated version on their way. Some of these Anime have already been ‘transfered’ into a ‘Live Action’ version by Hollywood (or Asian) studios.

Hollywood knowing they just pump a massive amount of money in this genre until they get the box-office hit they want. So we shouldn’t be surprised if we’ll see a lot of remakes, reboots and prequels like they’ve done with the comic genre.

Already ‘translated’ into a Live Action versions:

1.Casshern

I found this one hard to digest: a bit chaotic and somehow hard to follow. Couldn’t tell if it justifies the original though.
[rating: 2.5]

2.The Guyver

An Anime which actually deserves a big budget remake. A true great anime up to par with Akira and Ninja Scroll. This version however was just a small production, which couln’d justify the original series.
[rating: 3]

3.Fist of the North Star

A very cheesy (read B-movie) and over the top post apocalyptic martial-arts movie. Just like the original Anime, which had a very poorly drawings. Actually a great conversion and maybe an example for the rest?
[rating: 4]

4.Crying Freeman

A decent yakuza movie. But director Christophe Gans and Mark Dacascos delivered and true masterpiece with Brotherhood of the Wolf. Crying Freeman was just a warming up.
[rating: 2.5]

5.Azumi

The Live version is just great, with a popstar turned actress who is really impressing as a samurai. Even the sequel is good. Not familiar with the Anime version.
[rating: 4]

6.Speed Racer

This is actually the only high profile movie with a decent budget and a general audience, until now. And they had the Matrix directors, the Wachowski brothers. Not a fan of the original series and did not like this version either: too kiddy to me. Great special effects though.
[rating: 2.5]

7.Ichi the Killer

8.Lady Snowblood

9.Oldboy

A Hollywood remake is on his way and Steven Spielberg will be helming it.

10.Kung Fu Dunk

Upcoming Anime movies which are allready in different stagess of production or are very strongly rumoured. Some of these are actually multi million budget Hollywood versions of some true classics.

Coming (very) soon to (Asian) cinema’s as Live Action or 3D version:

11.Akira

A true masterpiece. Could be easily screwed up. However DiCaprio stated he is a fan himself and he will only produce it and not star in it. Which made me a believer now.

12.Ninja Scroll

The same goes for this one: If they only dare to make R-rated version, true to the violent character of the original. And cast true Asian actors!

13.Cowboy Bebop

An charismatic hero in all kind of space adventures: a potential hit.

14.Ghost in the Shell

Wonder whether it’s worth trying to film this. Unless you make it a brainless action movie. Which just could work.

15.Dragonball

Although I was initially very excited with the announcements of director James Wong () ánd producer Stephen Chow ánd actor Yun-Fat Chow all signs are pointing towards a major turn-off. Which is actually not a big surprise, because this is such an typical anime which can’t be translated to a Live Action version decently.

16.Evangelion

Could simply kick ass. And on the special effects part there will be no questions I suppose with the current technology.

17.Avatar

A story driven serie which could easily mobilize the Nick audience to the cinema’s. Should be intressting enough.

18.Astro Boy

First images are very cute. And this may be the issue with this movie. Who will be the audience? The very young Disney cartoon lovers or the die hard Anime fans? I wouldn’t be surprised if they can’t actually decide what audience to target like Speedrace and make a barely decent translation.

19.Blood The Last Vampire

20.Macross/RoboTech

My biggest worries are that some give this flick a chance by comparing it to Michael Bay’s Transformers, which I personally declared as one of the worst movies of 2007. Computer Generating giant robots is simple enough, making a great movie isn’t. But the MTV crowd seemed to love it.

21.Grave of the Fireflies

22.Battle Angle Alita

I’m one of the sceptics who is not assured this will be a flawless version just because James Cameron is helming it.

23.Sailor Moon

24.G-force/Battle of the Planets/Gatchaman (3D)

One of my most beloved youth treasures will turn in a pimped 3D version. I have no clue what the outcome will be, but I will see it anyway and probably on DVD: I have a hard feeling it would make the theatres everywhere anyway.

25.Star Blazers