Whitewashing Akira

Hollywood is planning a new film based upon the classic manga AKIRA. Guess what? The directors have taken steps to cast all whites as the lead actors in this Asian film. Kaneda and Tetsuo will probably be played by two people from the group, Robert Pattinson, Andrew Garfield, James McAvoy, Garrett Hedlund, Michael Fassbender, Chris Pine, Justin Timberlake and Joaquin Phoenix. Joaquin Phoenix? Hollywood hasn't recognized the 22nd century as Asia's yet, but I guess they're not reading the newspapers.

The website Racebending.com and several Asian American community organizations have requested a meeting with the Warner Brothers studio and begun an on-line petition.