by Chris Eaton- Source: Collider
Well, he’d be the prettiest detective ever.
A few months ago, we reported that Warner Bros had plan on making an American version of Death Note, based on the popular Manga/Anime. In its native Japan, it was a massive hit, spawning 2 hit live action movies based on the first part of the manga. The news was a big jarring, as the series is very Japanese in setting and style, with one of the main protagonist being a DEATH GOD (called a Shinigami), many wondered how it would be adapted.
Things then got quite for a bit, with WB not really piping up about the project. This week though, news of a potential star emerged. While promoting his new movie, Me and Orson Wells, High School Musical break out Zac Efron confirmed that he was in talks to be part of the American Death Note.
When asked, Efron was quoted:
“I love Death Note, and we were, kind of, working on it right now. You know, it’s not…it’s definitely not something that would be coming up soon. [Turns to Me and Orson Welles director Richard Linklater] What’s the classic answer, Rick? ‘It’s not on the front burner.’ No, no, it’s something that was … I feel like, regardless of whatever I say, it’s going to [interpreted by the media to] be my next movie. No, it’s not. It was an idea. Who knows? I had a meeting on it.”
While that doesn’t confirm that the film is on the fast track to being made anytime soon, it dose confirm that A) WB is serious about making this film, as they’re already talking to potential leads. B) That is seems that Zac Efron is in serious contention to be in said flick. One could say this is a controversial choice. And as a fan of the series and movies, I could, sadly, see Efron in this film. As who? My guess would be for the character of L, the genius detective trying to solve the mystery of Kira, who is really a brilliant high school student named Light. Light has a Shinigami Death Note, that, when a name of a person is written, that person will die in the manner that the writer has written down. The characters of L and Light in the manga and anime are drawn in a very pretty boy manner, and as such, the series has a very loyal female following. The producers obviously see this and, I have to say, that they are casting proper for the character.
The question is, can he act in something like this? Who knows. The High School Musicals weren’t really grade A material. His turn in 17 Again was actually hailed as enjoyable, and he’s working with renowned director Richard Linklater on this new flick. So as much as I want to really dislike the guy, he might turn out to be something of a reputable star in the near future. Though my main conern is how is this film is going to be translated to American audiences, and that, to me is a bigger issue than Zac Efron being in the film.
See the whole interview here.
