10 Upcoming Anime Movie Adaptation Currently In Development

Anime, a vibrant and diverse form of entertainment, has captivated audiences worldwide with its unique storytelling, rich visuals, and compelling characters. As the medium continues to evolve, so does its reach, expanding beyond traditional series into the realm of movies. The upcoming years promise a slew of exciting anime movie adaptations, drawing inspiration from beloved manga, light novels, and original concepts. In this exploration, we delve into the top 10 most anticipated anime movie adaptations that are poised to leave a lasting impact on audiences.

After the massive success of the John Wick series, writer Derek Kolstad is set to tackle a new exciting project: an adaptation of the acclaimed anime and manga, ‘Hellsing.’ Kolstad, who wrote three of the four John Wick movies, will serve as both writer and producer for this highly anticipated adaptation. The project is being developed by Amazon Studios, marking the company’s first foray into live-action anime.

‘Hellsing’ centers on the shadowy Hellsing Organisation, a covert group dedicated to protecting England from supernatural threats, including vampires, ghouls, and other otherworldly adversaries. The organization’s mission is to hunt down and eliminate these undead monsters and evil forces that pose a danger to the queen and the nation.

Kolstad’s involvement in the ‘Hellsing’ adaptation has generated significant buzz among fans of the original series and newcomers alike. Known for his skill in crafting intense action sequences and complex characters, Kolstad is expected to bring a fresh and thrilling perspective to the beloved franchise.

Alita: Battle Angel stands out as one of the best live-action anime adaptations to date. Directed by Robert Rodriguez (Desperado) and produced by James Cameron (Avatar), the film boasted state-of-the-art special effects. However, despite its high production value, Alita only managed to break even at the box office in 2019, achieving cult status rather than mainstream success.

Despite this, both Rodriguez and Cameron remained committed to continuing the story. Cameron leveraged his success with Avatar: The Way of Water and Alita‘s dedicated fanbase to push for a sequel. In early 2023, Alita producer and long-time Cameron collaborator Jon Landau confirmed that the sequel was in active development.

Fans can look forward to Rosa Salazar reprising her role as Alita, the cyborg heroine. The sequel promises to delve deeper into Alita’s journey, exploring more of the richly detailed world that captivated audiences. With Cameron and Rodriguez at the helm, expectations are high for this follow-up to deliver both visually and narratively.

In 2019, Pokémon Detective Pikachu made a splash in theaters, charming audiences with its blend of live-action and CGI. While it wasn’t a box office juggernaut, its success was enough to leave fans clamoring for more. Despite the enthusiasm, Legendary Entertainment and Warner Bros. remained tight-lipped about a sequel. Finally, in 2023, they confirmed that a follow-up to the beloved video game movie is indeed in the works.

However, the sequel will see some significant changes behind the scenes. The original filmmakers will not be returning. Instead, the creative reins have been handed to Jonathan Krisel, known for Tim and Eric’s Billion Dollar Movie, who will direct. Chris Galletta, celebrated for The Kings of Summer, is set to write the screenplay. As for the cast, there’s still no word on whether stars like Ryan Reynolds, who voiced the titular Pikachu, and Justice Smith will reprise their roles. Fans are eagerly waiting for more details about the cast and plot.

Even the most die-hard Mobile Suit Gundam fans might be surprised to learn about its ill-fated live-action attempt, G-Saviour. The film was such a disappointment that Gundam’s creators at Bandai Namco and Sunrise shied away from live-action adaptations for decades. However, the tide turned in 2021 when Jordan Vogt-Roberts, known for Kong: Skull Island, was chosen to bring the anime to life.

Set in the futuristic “Universal Century” 0079, Mobile Suit Gundam follows the intense conflict between the Principality of Zeon and the Earth Federation. The story revolves around the Earth Federation’s powerful new weapon, the RX-78-2 Gundam, piloted by the young civilian mechanic Amuro Ray.

This new live-action adaptation will be produced by Netflix and Legendary Entertainment, with a script penned by Brian K. Vaughan, the creator of Y: The Last Man. While details about the film remain scarce, it has sparked a lively debate among fans. Some hope for a faithful adaptation that stays true to Gundam’s Universal Century timeline, while others are excited about the possibility of an original story set in the Alternate Universal Century.

To everyone’s surprise, Netflix’s controversial adaptation of Death Note performed well enough to warrant a sequel. Currently, there’s no official word on whether the original cast or filmmakers will return. As of now, Greg Russo, known for his work on Mortal Kombat (2021), is the only confirmed filmmaker attached to the sequel.

The original plot centers on Light Turner, an American high school student who stumbles upon the Death Note—a supernatural notebook with the power to kill anyone whose name is written in its pages. Light uses the book to eliminate criminals under the alias Kira, while a covert investigator known only as L works tirelessly to track him down.

The first film’s reception was mixed, with fans of the original anime and manga expressing dissatisfaction with the adaptation’s departure from the source material. Despite this, the movie’s performance on Netflix was strong enough to justify a continuation. With Russo’s involvement, there’s hope that the sequel might address the shortcomings of the first film. Fans are eager to see how the story of Light and L will evolve in this new chapter.

One-Punch Man became a breakout anime sensation in the late 2010s, captivating fans with its unique blend of humor, action, and satirical superhero commentary. This popularity is why the announcement of a live-action adaptation by Sony and Columbia Pictures was met with both excitement and skepticism.

The adaptation’s script is being penned by Jeff Pinkner and Scott Rosenberg, known for their work on Venom. This choice has sparked some concern among fans, given the mixed reviews of their previous projects. However, there’s a glimmer of hope in the form of director Justin Lin, renowned for his work on Fast and Furious 6. Lin’s expertise in crafting high-octane action sequences and managing on-screen chaos could bring the thrilling battles of One-Punch Man to life in an entertaining way.

While fans remain divided, many are cautiously optimistic that Lin’s direction might capture the essence of the beloved anime. If done right, the live-action One-Punch Man could offer a fresh, exhilarating experience, even if it deviates slightly from its source material.

Netflix has confirmed that it will be producing a live-action adaptation of My Hero Academia, one of the most popular anime series in recent years. The story centers around Izuku Midoriya, a young boy born without a Quirk (superpower) in a world where they are commonplace. Despite this, Midoriya dreams of becoming a superhero. His perseverance catches the eye of All Might, the world’s greatest superhero, who decides to help him gain admission to a prestigious high school for aspiring heroes.

The live-action adaptation will be directed by Shinsuke Sato, renowned for his successful adaptations of Bleach, Gantz, and I Am a Hero. The screenplay is being crafted by Joby Harold, known for his work on Transformers: Rise of the Beasts. Legendary Entertainment will be producing the film, adding to the anticipation surrounding this project.

With a team of experienced creators and a beloved source material, fans are hopeful that this adaptation will capture the essence of the original anime. The involvement of Sato and Harold, who have proven track records in bringing anime to life, bodes well for the project. As Netflix continues to expand its universe of live-action anime adaptations, My Hero Academia is poised to be a standout addition.

After captivating audiences worldwide in 2016, the beloved anime film Your Name stirred controversy with the announcement of a live-action remake. Initially, the adaptation was set to be directed by Marc Webb, known for (500) Days of Summer. This version aimed to retell the story from the perspective of an Indigenous American woman, offering a fresh cultural lens on the narrative.

However, creative shifts occurred when Webb and Arrival writer Eric Heisserer departed from the project in 2020. In 2022, Raya and the Last Dragon writer and director Carlos López Estrada was confirmed to helm the live-action remake. With López Estrada at the helm, there is speculation that he might discard Heisserer’s version to craft an entirely new vision.

López Estrada’s involvement brings renewed hope and anticipation to the project. His work on Raya and the Last Dragon showcased his ability to blend heartfelt storytelling with stunning visuals, qualities essential for adapting the magical realism and emotional depth of Your Name.

In 2015, Lionsgate announced plans to bring Naruto to Hollywood, making it the first of Shonen Jump’s Big Three to receive a live-action adaptation. Set in the vibrant ninja world of Konoha, the story follows the journey of Naruto Uzumaki, a spirited young ninja with dreams of becoming the strongest ninja and leader of his village, the Hokage. Avi Arad, known for his work on Ghost in the Shell, was confirmed as the producer, sparking excitement and skepticism among fans.

The project gained further attention when Michael Gracey, director of The Greatest Showman, was tapped to adapt the top-selling manga. Gracey assured fans that he would only begin filming once Naruto creator Masashi Kishimoto approved the script, emphasizing his commitment to staying true to the source material.

Despite these promising developments, updates have been sparse. Gracey’s last significant update came in 2018, and since then, news about the live-action Naruto has been scarce. Fans remain eager for any new information, hoping that the adaptation will honor the beloved series’ legacy.

The Hollywood remake of Akira has become the most infamous and longest-gestating live-action anime adaptation in history. Since 2002, Warner Bros. has tried and failed to bring this iconic story to the big screen, with nearly ten directors attached and then departing from the project. Leaked concept art and scripts revealing an Americanized version only fueled skepticism among fans.

Set in a dystopian 2019 Tokyo, Akira follows Shōtarō Kaneda, the leader of a biker gang, whose childhood friend Tetsuo Shima gains extraordinary telekinetic abilities after a motorcycle accident. Tetsuo’s newfound powers soon pose a threat to an entire military complex amid the chaos and rebellion in Neo-Tokyo, a sprawling futuristic metropolis.

The latest filmmaker to tackle Akira is Taika Waititi, known for his work on Thor: Ragnarok. In 2017, Waititi confirmed his intention to bring Akira to life, but only after completing his then-untitled Star Wars project. Given Waititi’s busy schedule, the adaptation may still be years away, leaving fans in anticipation.

Despite the numerous setbacks, the hope remains that Waititi’s unique vision and directorial prowess can finally break Akira‘s adaptation curse and deliver a film that honors the original masterpiece while captivating a new audience.

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