JustJared is reporting that James Franco is in talks to star as Kaneda in the Leonardo DiCaprio-produced / Albert Hughes-directed live-action adaptation of Akira.
James, who is co-hosting the Academy Awards later this month with Anne Hathaway, unsurprisingly has been getting roles offered to him left and right. He also has the opportunity to replace Robert Downey, Jr. as the Wizard of Oz in the upcoming Disney movie Oz: The Great and Powerful. Director Sam Raimi will helm the Wizard of Oz prequel, which is based on L. Frank Baum’s classic books.