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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
Looking forward to Gatchaman.
[...] what it was, actually. Hoped and expected more from the Wachowski bros. Hope some of the other anime remakes will turn out [...]
I heard Keanu Reeves is playing Spike Spiegel. I have lost faith in that move now.
@Mahrahia
I don´t know whether he can pull this one, but I certainly am charmed by Keanu and even more after having seen The Day the Earth Stood Still.
I´m not that sceptical after all, actually…
and what about pokemon?
I heard, found out that they are making a full metal panic remake too, and zac efron is signed on.
there are also rumours of a Monster remake.
and there is in production i think a manga… battle angel/
I very much doubt Hollywood will be remaking Sailor Moon since Toei has pulled the plug on all Sailor Moon licencing around the world, and doesn’t seem to intend on renewing any licences.
But even if they did manage to obtain the rights to this series, I very much doubt they’ll be able to do it justice without making it too kiddy, too digital, and too far-fetched from the original concept. Personally they should just spare us another Dragonball flop and leave it alone.
way stupid this list…. a few good ones like blood, ninja scroll. akira, evangelion, and ninja scroll but all the other animes listed suck. why dont they try to film some great anime like perfect blue. id say vampire hunter d, but blade already snagged that story line and ripped it off.
Good Lord, Grave of the Fireflies? I loved that movie and would HATE if they f*cked it up. I think they should leave it as it is.
Warner Bros. is also eying “Bleach” as well.
I don’t see why “Sailor Moon” would need to be altered. I only would want the intial “Sailor Moon” or what is before “r,” “S,” “SuperS,” “Stars,” etc. to not be dragged on like the anime, and be condensed into one 2hrs movie, with one movie roughly for each season. Oh and no Sailor Starlight men turning into women; that was stupid.
Actually Joel Schumacher can do it because there is a need for bright neon-colors and instense homosexuality and goofiness, which was all present in “Batman Forever.”
“Outlaw Star” already got made into “Firefly” and “Serenity” and roughly covered every important detail too. Sailor Moon also got partially made into the american show called “Buffy The Vampire Slayer,” which involved Buffy protecting “the key”(Sailor Moon protecting Rini) from people who want to open the dark gate (gate to the underworld-hello!). And the sister relationship despite not being sisters-also Sailor Moon R-ish. “Angel” also had a random girl being turned blue and acting all evil, and fire reigning down while the “real villian” is revealed. Hello-Sailor Moon S near the end! It even has the lesbian relationship!