While Hollywood is busy with constant sequels and remakes of classic movies, it seems the industry is also keeping an eye out for inspiration from other countries, especially Japan.
My Anime List reported recently that Warner Bros. is hoping to produce a live-action movie based on the highly popular anime "Death Note", which is based on the manga series of the same name.
According to the website, the story is about a boy, Light Yagami, who finds a mystical notebook that enables him to kill anyone just by writing their name in it.
Using his new-found power, Light decides to destroy all the evils in the world. However, soon, a detective, who is known by the name "L", chases him, mistaking him for a psychopathic killer.
Though the anime ran for a very short time, it garnered so much popularity and fan following that it was adapted into three live-action movies in Japan.
Now, interested by the success of the franchise, Warner Bros. has reportedly approached Shane Black to direct the American version of the series. Black has established himself as a successful director in the industry with movies like "Iron Man 3", "Kiss Kiss Bang Bang", and the upcoming action-adventure film "Nice Guys".
However, a recent report by Death Note News states that Black has been replaced as "he wanted an adaptation that was faithful to the manga, but Warner Bros. kept pushing for one that was morally black and white, with Kira more the flawed anti-hero than anyone who could be considered 'evil'."
Hollywood Reporter has said the new director is Adam Wingard. Wingard might not have had as much success as Black, but has made a name in the industry with movies like "The Guest", and "You're Next".
The project will be produced by Roy Lee, Dan Lin, Jason Hoffs and Masi Oka.
