The Budget Monster Strikes Again Claiming Akria as its Next Victim
Steve Barton
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The Hollywood Reporter
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/akira-production-shut-down-budget-warner-bros-278729
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Inflated budgets seem to be Hollywood’s latest serial killer as the giant green beast known as the almighty dollar sign has claimed yet another production … stopping it dead in its tracks.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Warner Bros. is pushing the pause button on Akira. The project, which has been through several incarnations, is being shut down in the face of casting and budgetary issues. The production offices in Vancouver are being closed with below-the-line talent and crew told to stop working.
Director Jaume Collet-Serra already had halved the budget from the incarnation that Albert Hughes was going to direct. He now is working on a budget in the $90 million range. But with only Garrett Hedlund (Tron: Legacy) signed on to star and Kristen Stewart, Ken Watanabe, and Helena Bonham Carter in various stages of dealmaking, the studio feels that the price tag is still too high for a sci-fi project with that level of star wattage. The goal, say insiders, is to bring the budget down to between $60 million and $70 million, and if the issues cannot be resolved, the project could end up being shelved entirely.
Stay tuned.
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