Zac Efron set for Akira remake

Zac Efron is wanted for the re-imagining of ‘Akira’.

The ‘Charlie St. Cloud’ actor is reportedly wanted by film bosses to play gang leader Shotaro Kaneda in the adaptation of the iconic manga comic.

The original story – focusing on teen biker gang member Kaneda whose latent powers are exposed after he is subjected to a government experiment - was set in post-nuclear war Tokyo in 2019 while the new movie is expected to be set in New York.

As the gang leader, Zac’s character would be responsible for stopping the destruction which follows.

‘Seven’ actor Morgan Freeman has also been linked to the movie and will reportedly play the role of the Colonel.

Leonardo DiCaprio's Appian Way production company is working on the $300 million project for Warner Brothers with Allen and Albert Hughes directing.

Screenwriter Albert Torres is working on a new draft of the script while Mark Fergus, Hawk Ostby and Gary Whitta have all previously worked on the project.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt had been linked to the part of Kaneda but he has since denied the rumours.