It's been more than six years since it was first announced that a live-action adaptation of the incredibly successful Japanese anime and manga property Neon Genesis Evangelion would be making its way to the silver screen, but according to producer Joseph Chou (Appleseed: Ex Machina) the project is still "very active" and could go into production as early as next year.
The Evangelion franchise is a collection of media properties owned by anime studio Gainax that has generated more than $16 billion since debuting in 1995. The central story revolves around the Nerv paramilitary organization's use of gigantic humanoid tanks or "mechas" to repel an invasion of monstrous creatures ("Angels") that threatens to bring about a worldwide apocalypse.
In comments to ANN, Chou blamed excessive legal red tape and the anime market crash for the project's delay, but also said the complexity of the story made Evangelion difficult to sell to Hollywood studios.
Right now we're with a producer and a studio that really understands beyond the whole mecha impact. They're really looking beyond that, and really looking at drama, human elements, even to those elements that appeal to [anime fans].
Weta Workshop, the four-time Academy Award-winning visual effects firm behind The Lord of the Rings and Avatar, was initially involved with the Evangelion adaptation and even released some concept art for the planned movie. It's unclear if they will still be involved.
Chou's latest project, Halo Legends, a collection of seven animated shorts set in Microsoft's Halo video game universe, will be released on DVD and Blu-ray February 16th.
Posted 02.11.10 by BrentJS