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James Cameron's Battle Angel - the beginning of a live action anime feeding frenzy?

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James Cameron, the man who gave us the first two Terminator films, Aliens, the Abyss, True Lives and - ARGH - Titanic, is now hard at work on a live action adaptation of the anime Battle Angel. The plot outline from Internet Movie Database reads as this:

Set in the 26th century, the story takes place 300 years after a societal collapse caused by a major war. In that society, it's a technological dark age following a pinnacle of achievement far beyond where we are right now. Cyborg technology is a way of life. People are augmented a lot as workers, so being a cyborg is not unusual. The main character is a cyborg. She has an organic human brain, and she looks like she's about fourteen years old. She has a completely artificial body and she's lost her memory. She is found in a wreckage and reconstituted by a cyber-surgeon who becomes her surrogate father.



If it pays off, do you think it'll inspire a trend of live action anime films in Hollywood for the next few years (though there have been some anime imitators in the form of The Matrix Trilogy and Dark City). For all anime fans here, list anime you'd like to see done up as live action films. My list -

1) Bubblegum Crisis Tokyo 2040 - women with combat suits and lots of property damage, what more could you ask for?
2) Dominion: Tank Police
3) Gunsmith Cats
4) Slayers
I'd like a qui-gon jinn please with an Obi-Wan to go.

Red heads ROCK. Blondes do not rock. Nuff said.

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James Cameron doing a overpriced anime adaptation? WHY do Hollywood wants to RAPE anime away, turning it into a dumbed-down product? Peter Jackson was also producing a live-action version of Neon Genesis Evangelion... Why don't we just RAPE the corpse of Osamu Tezuka?! Jesus...

Will boycott this movie, I wish it bombs and flunks Cameron's carreer to hell, and if Evangelion live action gets made, I WILL boycott Hollywood forever.
“Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country.” — Nazi Reich Marshal Hermann Goering
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Originally posted by: ricarleite
James Cameron doing a overpriced anime adaptation? WHY do Hollywood wants to RAPE anime away, turning it into a dumbed-down product? Peter Jackson was also producing a live-action version of Neon Genesis Evangelion... Why don't we just RAPE the corpse of Osamu Tezuka?! Jesus...

Will boycott this movie, I wish it bombs and flunks Cameron's carreer to hell, and if Evangelion live action gets made, I WILL boycott Hollywood forever.


That last one kind of sums up how I feel about this Superman Returns nonsense.

As for your first question, well, Hollywood wants to RAPE everything and anything that'll make money, and the comic book movies won't hold up forever. It's always been like that, or at least it has been for a good long while.
I'd like a qui-gon jinn please with an Obi-Wan to go.

Red heads ROCK. Blondes do not rock. Nuff said.

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Originally posted by: sean wookie
How would an Akira live action film go?


It would probably look 1998's Dark City which actually "borrowed" a few things from Akira, namely the climax.
I'd like a qui-gon jinn please with an Obi-Wan to go.

Red heads ROCK. Blondes do not rock. Nuff said.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v72/greencapt/hansolovsindy.jpg
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Originally posted by: Han Solo VS Indiana Jones
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Originally posted by: sean wookie
How would an Akira live action film go?


It would probably look 1998's Dark City which actually "borrowed" a few things from Akira, namely the climax.


Explain.

A long time ago in the faraway galaxy...

Star War: The Third Gathers
Backstroke Of The West

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Originally posted by: JackLucas
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Originally posted by: Han Solo VS Indiana Jones
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Originally posted by: sean wookie
How would an Akira live action film go?


It would probably look 1998's Dark City which actually "borrowed" a few things from Akira, namely the climax.


Explain.


Well, the climax of Akira had two floating guys flinging stuff at each other and causing lots of property damage in the process, and the climax of 1998's Dark City ended with two floating guys flinging stuff at each other. Course, it's been a while since I saw Akira so I don't remember all the details off the top of my head.
I'd like a qui-gon jinn please with an Obi-Wan to go.

Red heads ROCK. Blondes do not rock. Nuff said.

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I can see the similarity, but that doesn't necessarily mean Akira was the source of that idea.

<span class=“Italics”>MeBeJedi: Sadly, I believe the prequels are beyond repair.
<span class=“Bold”>JediRandy: They’re certainly beyond any repair you’re capable of making.</span></span>

<span class=“Italics”>MeBeJedi: You aren’t one of us.
<span class=“Bold”>Go-Mer-Tonic: I can’t say I find that very disappointing.</span></span>

<span class=“Italics”>JediRandy: I won’t suck as much as a fan edit.</span>

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I was gonna say. Because my brother is a big anime fan AND a really big fan of Dark City and when I asked him what the connection was, he just kind of looked at me like I had a hand growing out of my head.

Come to think of it, he always looks at me like that. But.... still............

A long time ago in the faraway galaxy...

Star War: The Third Gathers
Backstroke Of The West

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Hey Jack, maybe you do have a hand growing out of your head. Ever wonder why it's so much easier to wiggle one ear than the other?
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Any other anime out there deserving of live action film treatment that you guys can think of?
I'd like a qui-gon jinn please with an Obi-Wan to go.

Red heads ROCK. Blondes do not rock. Nuff said.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v72/greencapt/hansolovsindy.jpg
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I'd rather go for the originals Bubblegum Crisis and Bubblegum Crash rather than Bugglegum Crisis Tokyo 2040 first in my opinion.
Here are some anime turned into live-action film titles I recall.

Crying Freeman (1995) - Starring Mark Dacascos and Directed by Christophe Gans of Brotherhood of the Wolf fame. Available on DVD in Region 0/All in NTSC.

Fist of the North Star (1995) - Guess you could look this up on imdb.com

There are some others but I figure it'd be more interesting for others to look.
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Originally posted by: DarkGryphon2048
I'd rather go for the originals Bubblegum Crisis and Bubblegum Crash rather than Bugglegum Crisis Tokyo 2040 first in my opinion.
.

I know this is a cardinal sin, but enjoy 2040 more than the original BGC. It's like comparing the hosts of Mystery Science Theater 3000 - Joel Hodgson and Mike Nelson, respectively - both have their good points and bad points , but 2040 appeals more to me - though I prefer the red haired Nene from the original BGC over the blonde Nene of 2040.

I'd like a qui-gon jinn please with an Obi-Wan to go.

Red heads ROCK. Blondes do not rock. Nuff said.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v72/greencapt/hansolovsindy.jpg
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no anime series should be turned into a live action holywood movie. if they want to do something with it make a 6 ep mini series but thats about it.
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Originally posted by: Han Solo VS Indiana Jones
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Originally posted by: DarkGryphon2048
I'd rather go for the originals Bubblegum Crisis and Bubblegum Crash rather than Bugglegum Crisis Tokyo 2040 first in my opinion.
.

I know this is a cardinal sin, but enjoy 2040 more than the original BGC. It's like comparing the hosts of Mystery Science Theater 3000 - Joel Hodgson and Mike Nelson, respectively - both have their good points and bad points , but 2040 appeals more to me - though I prefer the red haired Nene from the original BGC over the blonde Nene of 2040.


Well at least you're not completely far gone. ^_^

Personally I like both, but I enjoy the original immensely more. From the designs to the over feel and plot. It was just darker and more atmospheric. It's just a shame Artmic and Youmex had to have a fallout over it. That, and Priss was a tad too vengeful at times. 2040 wasn't bad, but there were some things I didn't care for much.

I don't think I'd want to see a live action version though. I think the guys that make these seem to forget that a lot of the premises are just more believable in animation. There's an easier suspension of belief, and one can immerse themselves better. a live BGC would probably be just another brainless Sci-fi action film, especially in the wrong hands. Some things just don't work well in LA.

There's Casshern, which i though wasn't half bad. Storywise it wasn't much, but at least the visuals were interesting.

There's Golgo 13 - The Kowloon Assignment. I haven't seen it nor really heard much of it.


Made for IE Forum's Episode III theme month - May 2005.

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Originally posted by: Han Solo VS Indiana Jones
Any other anime out there deserving of live action film treatment that you guys can think of?


NO ANIME AT ALL
“Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country.” — Nazi Reich Marshal Hermann Goering
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I know you'll hate me for this, Klingon_Jedi, but while I find the original BGC entertaining (I particularly like the last episode, "Scoop Chase") I think that in terms of "plot" it lacked focus - most of the episodes seem to have revenge on the brains, especially Priss oriented revenge, and a little Priss can go a long way. The design work of the series is ground breaking (with nods to Blade Runner with the GENOM buildling and the ADP cars), but one particular character design really grates my visual nerves - Priss. I'm sorry but on a very shallow and superficial note she looked ridiculous in the old version.

Not that I want to start a flame war or anything.

Anyone here familiar with Dominion: Tank Police?
I'd like a qui-gon jinn please with an Obi-Wan to go.

Red heads ROCK. Blondes do not rock. Nuff said.

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Is that the one with the tank named "Napoleon"?

“Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country.” — Nazi Reich Marshal Hermann Goering
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Originally posted by: ricarleite
Is that the one with the tank named "Napoleon"?


Yeah, though technically the tank is called "Bonaparte".

I'd like a qui-gon jinn please with an Obi-Wan to go.

Red heads ROCK. Blondes do not rock. Nuff said.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v72/greencapt/hansolovsindy.jpg
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The Guyver was a live action movie from an anime. It has Mark Hamill in it too.

I may be biased because 1) i saw the live action first b) i like sci-fi in general 4) i enjoy those 'bad'/'cheesy' sci-fi movies (not that i think this was a bad movie) d) i like the superhero type story

Generally the reviews i read for it seem to be pretty good as well, though the second one i think does better. I found out about the anime a few years after and bought the series and on dvd along with the 2 live action movies. Has anyone else seen this one? What were your opinions on it?

-Darth Simon
Why Anakin really turned to the dark side:
"Anakin, You're father I am" - Yoda
"No. No. That's not true! That's impossible!" - Anakin

0100111001101001011011100110101001100001

*touchy people disclaimer*
some or all of the above comments are partially exaggerated to convey a point, none of the comments are meant as personal attacks on anyone mentioned or reference in the above post
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You know, I've looked for the Guyver but I can never find it anywhere.
I'd like a qui-gon jinn please with an Obi-Wan to go.

Red heads ROCK. Blondes do not rock. Nuff said.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v72/greencapt/hansolovsindy.jpg
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well considering cameron just signed a 2 picture deal with arnold for terminator 4 and true lies 2, how will battle angel get made? is he directing it or as i've been hearing he's just the executive producer, lending his name to the project, similar to spielberg lending his name to projects he neither wrote or directed but produced.

“Always loved Vader’s wordless self sacrifice. Another shitty, clueless, revision like Greedo and young Anakin’s ghost. What a fucking shame.” -Simon Pegg.

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i don't think it'll be anything remotelly good if he's not involved creatively. All the exec does is makes sure money is taken care of and such.
"Who's scruffy-lookin'?" - Han Solo
"I wish my lawn was emo so it would cut itself." -sybeman
"You know, putting animals in the microwave is not a good idea. I had to learn that one the hard way." -seanwookie
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Originally posted by: skyjedi2005
well considering cameron just signed a 2 picture deal with arnold for terminator 4 and true lies 2, how will battle angel get made? is he directing it or as i've been hearing he's just the executive producer, lending his name to the project, similar to spielberg lending his name to projects he neither wrote or directed but produced.


For real? How is Arnie supposed to be governor while making 2 movies? If this is true, I'm glad Cameron's doing T4 (I mean, if they insist on making it, they may as well get Cameron to do the job. Maybe he can redeem the franchise.

War does not make one great.