Albert Hughes, who’d signed to direct the two-picture Hollywood remake of Akira with his brother Allen (see “Hughes Brothers Helming ‘Akira’”), has left the production, according to Deadline Hollywood. This comes only a short time after a flirtation with Keanu Reeves as the lead (see “Keanu Reeves in Talks for Akira”) ended, as first reported by Joblo. 

 

The studio still wants to make the film and likes the current version of the script by Steve Kloves, according to the Deadline report. Actors from an earlier list remain under consideration (although that casting direction has taken heat over the race of the candidates, see “Akira Casting Draws Ire”).