The worldwide love for anime stories, characters and creativity has made Hollywood interested in turning our beloved series into adaptations. While some live-action shows succeeded, development challenges or cancellations afflicted others. In this article, we’ll explore 10 abandoned live-action Japanese anime projects that never became a reality.
Additionally, filmmakers never used some live-action anime adaptations. Iconic anime like Akira and Neon Genesis Evangelion came close to getting the live-action treatment. But a lack of funding or studios withdrawing led to the cancellation of these projects.
In a few instances, concept art and test footage were ready, but the projects couldn’t secure the necessary budget. Anime fans can only speculate whether these adaptations would have enhanced or harmed the legacy of the original anime.
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex
After Scarlett Johansson’s movie in 2017, they announced a live-action sequel based on the “Stand Alone Complex” story, and it excited fans. We’re as excited as you are to see the cyberpunk world; but currently, no one knows when this project will happen.
Naruto
Ninja saga fans were excited about Michael Gracey, directing an adaptation of “Naruto.” Sadly, the project generated excitement but lost momentum, leading to its abandonment. This left fans disheartened and longing for a live-action journey into the world of Naruto.
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Robotech
“Robotech,” a mecha anime with a devoted fan base, showed promise for a live-action adaptation led by director James Wan. However, legal problems stopped this big project from happening, leaving fans with disappointment.
Death Note 2
After Netflix’s 2017 “Death Note,” fans were excited to hear about a sequel directed by Adam Wingard. While, they never made the sequel, leaving fans wondering about the untold adventures of Light Yagami and his mysterious companion Ryuk.
Sword Art Online
David Leitch, famous for directing “Deadpool 2” and “John Wick,” was going to make a live-action “Sword Art Online.” Fans were excited about it, but the project’s cancellation left them eager to see “Sword Art Online” in live-action.
Sailor Moon
In the 1990’s Sailor Moon became a highly popular manga and anime. It could have had a western adaptation if the pilot episode succeeded. Ex-Bandai America chief Frank Ward granted permission to internet archivist Ray Mona to investigate the project. Additionally, Mona found that the pilot had a tight budget including borrowed sets from the TV show Saved By The Bell.
Akira
Taika Waititi, known for directing “Thor: Ragnarok” and “Jojo Rabbit,” had plans to direct the live-action version of the famous cyberpunk anime “Akira.” Unfortunately, the project faced delays and money problems, leading to its cancellation. This left fans hopeful for a revival.
Battle Angel Alita
James Cameron, the director of “Avatar” and “Titanic,” had acquired the rights to “Battle Angel Alita” but postponed it due to commitments with “Avatar” sequels. Despite the success of the 2019 adaptation, fans are still curious about Cameron’s original vision for the cybernetic heroine.
Cowboy Bebop
Keanu Reeves expressed interest in portraying Spike Spiegel in a live-action “Cowboy Bebop” series. Unfortunately, the project struggled to gain traction and the 2019 Netflix adaptation overshadowed it.
Neon Genesis Evangelion
Guillermo del Toro’s fascination with “Neon Genesis Evangelion” sparked hope for a live-action version. However, the series’ complexity and financial troubles hindered the project’s progress. Fans continue to anticipate a big-screen adaptation.
One day, It will happen.
Bringing Japanese anime to life as live-action is tricky, with some successful attempts and some that never happened. These 10 abandoned anime projects highlight the difficulties filmmakers face in adapting beloved stories. Fans worldwide can only imagine, hoping for these iconic series to come alive on screen.
While we wait for the live-action versions of our beloved anime, let’s enjoy the original series on Crunchyroll and hope for their return.
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