Back in May of this year, we told you that Albert Hughes (Book of Eli) was no longer to direct Warner Bros’ live-action adaptation of the anime cult classic, Akira, originally a graphic novel by Katsuhiro Otomo. Hughes reported left due to “amicable creative differences.” Keanu Reeves, who had been the front-runner to star as Kaneda, had also passed on the project in May.

Now, Variety reports that Warner Bros has tapped Spanish director Jaume Collet-Serra (Unknown, Orphan) to helm the project.

Steve Kloves, (Harry Potter 1-8) has written the latest draft of this live-action Akira. Book of Eli writer Gary Whitta, Albert Torres (Henry Poole is Here), and Iron Man scribes Mark Fergus and Hawk Ostby have also contributed drafts in this development process. With the WB drawing from talent it has worked with successfully before like Kloves and Collet-Serra, it looks like this project is finally getting its legs underneath it.

Akira is slated to hit theaters in 2012.