Akira to be Rated PG-13? What the...??

My hopes for the live-action Akira flick continue to dwindle. The film will happen, of course, but recent information has thrown cold water over my excitement. The first being that Akira will indeed be two separate films. Makes sense, considering that the manga was 6 whopping volumes, one film just wouldn't be enough. However it's been confirmed, by our buddies Kevin and Josh at the Kevin and Josh Movie Show, that Albert Hughes(Menace II Society) will only be handling the first film.  Last we'd heard, Albert would be taking a break from teaming up with his brother Allen for this one. No word yet on who will take over the second film, which will comprise volumes 4-6 of the epic.

Writers Mark Ostby and Mark  Fergus are also off the project, with Albert Torres bring brought in to draft an entirely new script.

What gets me though is that Warner Brothers has every intention of making both Akira films PG-13. The source material is extremely graphic. The anime feature released here in the US was rated R, and rightfully so. Do I want to see a watered down, violence and profanity free version of this Japanese classic? Does that restriction even play up to the Hughes Brothers' strengths? No I don't, and no it doesn't.

This decision has been brought to you by the fine folks at Bad Idea Jeans.