Gary Oldman and Helena Bonham Carter May Costar In Whitewashed Version of ‘Akira’

Last week we reported that Jaume Collet-Sera‘s adaptation of the manga/anime Akira was moving ahead and that they were looking seriously at Garret Hedlund for the lead role of Kaneda. I like Hedlund, but I still think he is only up for the role because he looks cool riding fancy motorcycles (Tron Legacy). Now it looks like two great actors might be joining him. according to sources, Gary Oldman has been offered the role Colonel while Helena Bonham Carter is up for the part of Lady Miyako.

Here are the descriptions of the characters from Wikipedia:

The Colonel: The current head of the ongoing government project which was responsible for inadvertently unleashing Akira’s power thirty years earlier. Appearing tough and ruthless, he is nevertheless pragmatic enough to recognize the danger Tetsuo’s fledgling powers pose and cares genuinely for the three Espers under his supervision. Amongst the other government figures depicted in the film, he is shown to be the most principled, eschewing the corruption and hedonism that typifies Neo-Tokyo, adhering instead to a strict code of soldierly honour.

Lady Miyako: A former test subject known as #19, she is the high priestess of a temple in Neo-Tokyo, and a major ally of Kaneda and Kei as the story progresses. She is also an initial ally of Nezu, and gives Tetsuo a lecture on his powers. She plays an instrumental role in the final battle with Tetsuo at the cost of her own life.

The film takes place in neo-Manhattan, It appears to be building towards an all white cast. Why eve bother calling it Akira anymore?

Source: Collider