Just last month, we brought you the news about Gary Oldman (The Dark Knight Rises) and Helena Bonham Carter (Dark Shadows) being offered the roles of Colonel Shikishima aka The Colonel and Lady Miyako in Warner Bros. Pictures live-action adaptation of Akira, the graphic novel by Katsuhiro Otomo.

Now, Twitch reports that the studio has been unable to reach a deal with Oldman, and they are now offering the role of Colonel Shikishima aka The Colonel in the Jaume Collet-Serra (Unknown) directed adaptation to Ken Watanabe (Inception) instead. As the site points out, casting for the role is still in the offer-stage, so nothing is definite.

Otomo’s novel was first adapted as an animated feature, also titled Akira, in 1988. The film earned $84m at the US box office in less than a month. Otomo will act as executive producer on this live action adaptation.

Akira starring Garrett Hedlund is slated to hit theaters in 2013.

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