Twitch dropped a bomb on us when they announced that Kristen Stewart had been offered a role in the upcoming live action remake of Akira. She had been offered the role of Kei, a young medium who becomes the love interest for Kaneda (Garrett Hedlund). Deadline followed this up by saying the actress is in “advanced talks”, so it looks to be a done deal.

Well, of course, nothing is certain until we get the official announcement; previously, the role of Kei had been rumored to belong to Keira Knightley. Just don’t be to excited!

The graphic novel follows the leader of a biker gang who must save his friend, discovered with potentially destructive psychokinetic abilities, from government medical experiments.

Leonardo DiCaprio is producing Akira under his Appian Way banner, and Harry Potter screenwriter Steve Kloves recently re-wrote the script. Katsuhiro Otomo, who wrote and directed the 1988 Japanese anime movie of the same name, will serve as executive producer. Warner Bros. has moved the location from Japan to the US, with the story now taking place in a rebuilt New Manhattan. Shooting is set to begin in late February/early March 2012 under the direction of Jaume Collet-Serra

wolverinept, Kristen Stewart To Star In Akira? Talks Undergoing!