Kristen Stewart In Talks For Role In 'Akira'

'Breaking Dawn' star would play Kei in big-screen adaptation of Japanese graphic novel.
By Jocelyn Vena

Kristen Stewart
Photo: Joe Scarnici/ FilmMagic

Kristen Stewart is currently in "advanced talks" to star in "Akira," based on the Japanese graphic novel. If things pan out, the "Twilight" star would play the female lead, Kei, Deadline Hollywood reports.

The news was first reported by TwitchFilm, who added that Stewart could join her "On the Road" co-star Garrett Hedlund in the movie, as well as Gary Oldman and Helena Bonham Carter, who are also rumored to be starring in the adaptation. In Katsuhiro Otomo's manga, Kei is "a young medium who becomes the love interest for [Hedlund's] Kaneda."

Deadline further reported that the film has been a high priority for Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures for about two years now. Jaume Collet-Serra is set to direct the two films based on the three graphic novels. ("Akira" was previously adapted for the big screen in 1988 as an animated flick.)

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the Collet-Serra flicks would revolve around two brothers living in a place called New Manhattan. One brother, Kaneda, is a motorcycle gang leader, while his younger brother has telekinetic powers that can be used as a weapon. Stewart's Kei would be involved in an underground movement trying to expose the government.

Should Stewart take the role, it could mark the third franchise on her growing résumé. On Friday, the first of those franchises nears its end with the release of "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1." The last of the two-part finale hits theaters in 2012. She's currently filming "Snow White and the Huntsman," which also has series potential.

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1674470/kristen-stewart-akira-project-movie-role.jhtml

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