Previously, I posted the news of the new Neon Genesis Evangelion live action movie. I mentioned the July issue of Newtype and now have it in my posession. Here are the relevant sections.
Neon Genesis Evangelion creator Hideaki Anno is enthused about the project. "Evangelion was created with a very Japanese sensibility," said Anno. "In the live-action version, though, I suggested that the creators let their imaginations roam, unconstrained by the framework of the existing anime. There are some very surprising ideas in the new design plans - things I'd never thought of before. I was amazed to encounter such different ways of thinking about the project. I'm very much looking forward to seeing the re-creation of the title."
My thoughts on Anno's comments are mixed. I remain very interested to see what the movie will present and how it will be presented. In this aspect, I am open-minded. However, my problem lies with the nature of the material they are attempting to cover. I am convinced there is little consistent plot meat left in the Evangelion story; it's endings demonstrate to me the purpose and finality of the series was reached. I am also convinced that magnificent story simply CANNOT be compressed into a coherent 2 hour movie; the insulting edits they'd be forced to do would gut the story and totally alienate the fanbase.
When Anno says to the people behind the new project, "let [your] imaginations roam, unconstrained by the framework of the existing anime," it doesn't clear up this fundamental question. His statement (and the accompanying design concepts in Newtype) do demonstrate we'll be seeing lots of new stuff and a much different take. It may be an obvious point, but having Anno enthusiastic about the project from what he's seen is a good thing. We've got a long way to go before more is known, but I'll be there in line waiting to see it.
UPDATE(7/22/2003 11:51pm)
"Harry Potter" as Shinji Ikari???
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FREAKY
Posted by: craig on August 8, 2003 04:57 PMthe IMDB [e]vanegelion has nothing to do with the anime evangelion, its losely based on god angered by man taking things into its own hands but thats about it.
frankly i doubt Harry Potter would play as shinji.. he looks like a friggin jew. if this is anywhere near a acceptable eva movie then theyd most likly find a azn guy or somone that l0ooks like shinji...
Posted by: kikiiru on August 21, 2003 03:39 PMHmm, I think that the Daniel Radcliffe kid WOULD make a good Shinji...He has the look,the persona, and I even checked his sign and it's a Cancer like Shinji...Yes, Daniel would be a good choice.
Posted by: Willium on August 25, 2003 09:21 PMwell, personally i think that daniel radcliffe is a good actor, but for shinji, i think the person who plays him should be asian, since thats part of the role.
Radcliffe doesn't deserve such a high place-- NGE is too good. Keep it aNIMe AND PETITION AGAINST IT WITH ME!! aND FER CRISSAKES, THEY MAY USE hILARYFUCKIN dUFF TO BE aSUKA-- aNNO SHOULDN'T TAKE THAT KIND OF INSULT!!
Posted by: Mikage Hikari on January 13, 2004 11:20 PMDUDE, no way is daniel radcliffe going to play shinji! i'd kill myself if that happened??? I can't wait for this movie to come out, I'm going to hopefully try out for it if i'm not too old by then...they said they wanted 14 year olds WHEN the casting time came around. *sigh*
Posted by: amanda on August 4, 2004 11:40 PMpersonally i think it would be quite interesting to see exactly how they would make an awesome anime into a live action film. and to all of you making such rude and harsh comments please keep them to yourselves. some people might actually enjoy it. noone's MAKING you see it. i think Mr. Radcliffe would make a great shinji. but i agree with the hilary duff thing.. *shudder*
Posted by: Tina on October 13, 2004 06:49 PMI personally think Daniel could play Shinji very well. Remember the beginnig of PoA, where he gets so angry and angsty? Very Ikari-esque. And even so, how do you expect him to progress as an actor if you try to keep him within the boundaries of Harry Potter all his life? They could pull off the movie very well, not only with special effects but with a good script. It could happen. We've only seen Radcliffe as the normally happy, optimistic Harry, but if he were to pull out a darker, more somber frame of mind, and also be shy and timid, he could pull off Shinji very well. Plus, to quote our favorite redhead, "You never know unless you try."
Posted by: LillyRiruri on December 8, 2004 04:20 PMIt's entirely possible (and this is my personal belief) that this is a "re-imagining" in the same vein as The Ring; keep the basic plot and character relationships the same, but change the focus, change the perspective, change things that simply can't be done within the time or budget restrictions.
Changing the age of the pilots from 14 to, say, 17, is a minor thing. All the people that are getting up-in-arms over any little difference between this and the anime really need to lighten up; I have no doubt that this movie will be vastly different from the series, and although it may very well suck, the base concept of the Evangelion universe, and the inherent depth of the characters basically mean the character of the movie cannot be examined until a director, writer, and actors/actresses are named.
To assume that it will be a retelling of the original story, or only part of the story, seems to me to be somewhat silly. It is obvious they cannot do either -- the former, because that would require multiple movies, and ADV would not make such a stupid move; the latter, because of the same reason. As Anno himself said, "I'm very much looking forward to seeing the re-creation of the title." Re-creation is the key word there.
Posted by: Zach on December 29, 2004 05:46 PMiiii..
daniel radcliffe would be fit for the part,black hair,he's not to old for the character.. he's perfect for the part,i wish he gets the part, coz i also like shinji,but not as much as Dan.. i love anime and i love harry potter, but i reckon Dan dont have know anime,how can he act when he dont know how to act like a anime?
Evangelion..AnnE
Posted by: AnnE on January 3, 2005 10:01 PMRadcliffe will be shinji over my dead body. frankly i could act better than him and i have no experience also he in no way resembles shinji has that shit brittish accent & will be too old by the time it gets to filming. Also they better watch out if they change the pilots looks names or temperaments they will find out the true meaning of pain!!! i am a big eva fan & i like everything the way it is except for what happens to Asuka (soon to be Kate Rose if the stories are true)
ps there needs to be a voice of reason working on this film maybe someone who helped create Eva (Just not Anno He screwed up on the other movies)
Posted by: Ben on February 16, 2005 01:52 AMim so glad daniel radcliffe got the part of harry potter. because that was
the best part for that cute daniel.
Brianna.
do u really think there will be a movie of neon genesis evangelion? i don't have any slightest clue about how good daniel will be as shinji ikari..i don't think so on the fact shinji is more fucked up then anything...
and i don't know how daniel could pull that off...could he really?
Posted by: Ayumi on June 4, 2005 10:57 PMdid they put up the cast and crap about the movie? is it going to stick to the anime?why isn't anno in this project? they could destroy Eva for all the good it has...
why is hollywood going to do this to this wonderful anime? why?!!!!!!!!!!!!!i seen websites and i am still confused about it....grrrrr...i hope they don't ruin eva for everyone....grrr..bastards...
Posted by: Ayumi on June 4, 2005 10:59 PMI think that Radcliff would not play Shinji. He's to busy doing Harry Potter. And anyway. What is he going to do in the movie do his magic on the Angles? Lol....
Posted by: TK on December 19, 2005 10:27 AMI would like to say that my Drama teacher and I share the same opinion about Daniel Radcliffe, and that is that he cannot act well, compared to some of his peers.
Also, I believe someone made a point about Hilary Duff being a cast member. (I know this isn't true, but still, the thought of it... *shudder*)
If that were true, it'd be exactly like a screenshot I did, of what would happen if 4Kids got a hold of Evangelion.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/Konekone/Screenshots/4KidsRei.jpg
Posted by: Kawaii Kenni on January 15, 2006 03:04 AMall evangelion fans the movie is going to suck because they are changing the plot,the names. there is no way that harry potter is playing shinji, i heard that lohan is playing auska but i dont think thats happening.the thing that really sucks is that there trying to make the movie more american, i say leave the names and the series how it is.
Posted by: darkfox on March 15, 2006 10:03 AM