The last we’d heard about Warner Brothers’ long-standing live-action Akira movie was back in late 2017 when Taika Waititi revealed he had been in early talks to direct the picture. And now, we have a major update on the film.

Straight from Warners, Waititi is indeed the person tasked with helming the feature. But not only that, but The WB has set a May 21st, 2021 release date for Akira.

Waititi, of course, is a huge genre favourite for offerings such as Eagle vs. Shark, Boy, What We Do in the Shadows, Hunt for the Wilderpeople and Thor: Ragnarok. Up next for the ridiculously talented New Zealander is Jojo Rabbit.

Bar a change in location from Neo-Tokyo to New Manhattan, the early official word on this new Akira sounds largely the same as Katsuhiro Otomo’s original manga and his seminal 1988 movie adaptation:

Set in a future city environment called New Manhattan, the sci-fi epic follows the leader of a biker gang who must save his best friend, who has been experimented on by the government causing him to develop dangerous and destructive psychokinetic powers.

In terms of any other information we know about this new Akira, Waititi has previously said how he’d like to go with a largely unknown bunch of Asian teenagers in the key roles.

As ever, expect more on Akira as it continues to develop.