Explosive Clash: BMW at Odds with Live-Action Akira Bikes, Former Director Reveals

Article Overview

Director Albert Hughes had a heated argument with the head designer at BMW over the design of the motorcycles for the live-action Akira movie.

Hughes stormed out in offense when the designer audaciously tried to incorporate unrelated technology and demeaned the concept art.

Despite the numerous hurdles encountered, Taika Waititi is presently on board to helm the live-action adaptation of Akira, although the realization of this undertaking remains uncertain.

Director Albert Hughes recently discussed the clash between the live-action Akira movie and BMW over the design of the bikes. The acclaimed Japanese manga series, which was adapted into an animated film in 1988, delves into the world of Neo-Tokyo and follows Shōtarō Kaneda's mission to stop his childhood friend Tetsuo Shima from unleashing his telekinetic powers on the city. While the movie has received widespread praise for its distinctive style and impact on the genre, bringing the source material to life in a live-action format has proven to be a challenge. Over the years, various directors, including Hughes and his brother Allen, have been linked to the project.

During a recent interview on Happy Sad Confused, Hughes provided insight into the conflict that arose between the live-action Akira movie and BMW due to the motorcycles. The director revealed that he had disagreements with the designer regarding the vehicles and felt that their criticism of the concept art was disrespectful. Below are Hughes' remarks regarding the bikes for the live-action Akira movie.

“I had to go to BMW in Munich to meet with an American individual who serves as the chief concept designer. During our interaction, we engaged in a heated argument as he attempted to introduce a new technology for the vehicles. However, I firmly expressed my desire for a simple inclusion of their emblem. I requested him to approve this because it was what I wanted. The situation escalated to a point where both of us were asserting our positions vigorously. Feeling frustrated, I abruptly left the production area and my colleague, Albert, advised me to return and calm down. I explained to him that this individual was attempting to introduce irrelevant motorcycles into the movie, solely for the purpose of selling them. Additionally, he insulted the concept art. I reached my breaking point and decided to leave.”

Will A Live-Action Akira Film Get Made?

Hughes initially joined the live-action Akira project, but eventually left due to various issues that arose during production. In an interview with Happy Sad Confused, he discussed some of the challenges he encountered while working on Akira, including the casting process. While others were focused on securing well-known actors, Hughes believed that "the IP is bigger than any one actor." He also expressed concerns about whitewashing and the substantial budget required for the adaptation.

Currently, Taika Waititi is set to direct the live-action Akira film, although there is speculation regarding whether the project will actually come to fruition. In 2021, Waititi expressed his intentions to move forward with the project, and while there have been no further updates, it is reported that Akira will be his next film. Waititi is renowned for his work on Thor and his Academy Award-nominated film Jojo Rabbit, for which he won an Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay.

Taika Waititi has been involved with an upcoming Star Wars film for a few years, but it is uncertain when filming will start.

It is intriguing to hear Hughes' remarks regarding the conflict between him and BMW caused by Akira's bikes, signifying the numerous challenges that arise in the process of making a movie. As Waititi often has commitments to other projects, it remains uncertain if the cherished manga will ever be adapted into a live-action film. As Hughes can confirm, adapting this property is difficult, and while there is still optimism, it is worth considering if any comparable difficulties will arise during the current production.

Source: Happy Sad Confused

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z fan, I'm thrilled to hear about the potential live-action adaptation of Akira, one of my all-time favorite manga and anime series. The original 1988 animated film is a masterpiece of the cyberpunk genre, and I'm excited to see how it will be reimagined for a new generation.

However, I'm also concerned about the recent clash between director Albert Hughes and BMW over the design of the bikes. Hughes' departure from the project is a significant setback, and I worry that it could jeopardize the entire production. I understand that BMW is a major sponsor of the film, but I don't think it's right for them to dictate the creative vision of the director.

I hope that BMW and the filmmakers can come to an agreement that allows Hughes to return to the project and realize his vision for the film. If not, I fear that the live-action Akira movie could be a major disappointment.