Everyone is wondering what this movie will be like, who will play who, who will direct, how true will they remain to the story. Question after question. And all we can do right now is debate these questions and the possible answers. Thus here are some online discussions concerning the Live action EVA movie, Live action anime in general and other purty things.

Animeboards.com – Live action Eva is coming (30 pages+) Animeboards.com – More Info on Live action NGE Bladegash.net – Big News, Live action Eva EFML – News on Eva live-action movie Slashdot.org – ADV Announce Live Action EVA Endlessrealms.com – Neon Genesis Evangelion live action movie due

This should do for now.

Jon Lange Online
Here is the confirmation that this movie is in fact completely un-related to the anime series, as previously predicted.

The film instead covers, “the problems with the centralizing powers within the EU and versus the USA. Great powers collide, God is manipulated and people have their own agendas.. Nothing is sacred.” In a A futuristic and religious sci-fi action thriller. Thus, moving on…

Gainax “Eva Gone Hollywood” page
Gainax have put up a page on their site further confirming the movie’s existance and creation.

Imdb has setup a page for an upcoming movie entitled, [E]vangelion (2004). Despite holding the same title, this project seems completely unrelated to the live action movie. It is in fact a “danish” movie. Don’t expect to find any details of the NGE movie, but we will see how Imdb develops this page. IMDB link Apologies for few updates, life has been busy on a tour of Europe.

About Weta Workshop, Ltd Founded in 1987 by Richard Taylor, Tania Rodger, Peter Jackson and Jamie Selkirk, Weta is a physical and digital effects company providing creatures, special make-up effects, prosthetics, miniatures, armor, weaponry and digital effects for the film and television industry. Over the past sixteen years the company has provided effects for Jackson’s Meet the Feebles, Braindead (aka Dead Alive), Heavenly Creatures, The Frighteners, and The Lord of the Rings movie trilogy, as well as for advertisements and television shows including the popular Hercules and Xena series. At the height of production on The Lord of the Rings, Weta Workshop employed 150 physical effects technicians and 350 digital effects technicians at Weta Digital. Weta’s work on The Lord of the Rings has garnered worldwide praise including two Academy Awards in 2002 (for Best Visual Effects and Best Makeup), and one in 2003 (for Best Visual Effects). The British Academy has also honored Weta’s work by awarding two BAFTAs in 2002 (for Best Visual Effects and Best Makeup) and two more in 2003 (for Best Visual Effects and Best Costume).

About Gainax Gainax was founded in 1984. It began as a corps of amateur filmmakers, centered around current company president Hiroyuki Yamaga and anime director Hideaki Anno. Their first work, Wings of Honneamise, continues to garner praise worldwide. Gainax’s highly original style of filmmaking spans the generations, appealing to fans both young and old. 1995’s Neon Genesis Evangelion whipped up an anime fever of extraordinary proportions, receiving attention not only from anime fans, but also from many other corners of society. Hideaki Anno, who directed Neon Genesis Evangelion, commands respect from even the likes of Spirited Away director Hayao Miyazaki.

About ADV Films: In 1992, ADV Films began to forge the international market for Japanese animation (“anime”) by combining unique titles, outstanding production values and efficient large-scale distribution. Today, ADV Films is the #1 producer-distributor of Japanese animation to the North American market, with the firm’s holdings including such premier titles as NOIR, Sailor Moon, Samurai X, Hello Kitty’s Paradise, RahXephon, Spriggan, Robotech, Full Metal Panic and Neon Genesis Evangelion. In addition, ADV Films’ product line has expanded to include other forms of genre programming, including live-action science fiction programs Gene Roddenberry’s Andromeda, Mutant X and The Jim Henson Company’s Farscape, and classic science fiction such as the updated Gamera trilogy. ADV Films’ parent company, A.D. Vision, Inc., also publishes Newtype USA, the premier anime and manga monthly in the English-speaking world, and operates The Anime Network™, broadcasting anime and anime-related programming via digital cable, 24 hours a day. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, USA, with additional offices in the EU and Japan, and distribution on four continents, ADV is fast becoming an international entertainment powerhouse. For more information, visit ADV Films on the web at http://www.advfilms.com.

Source: digitallyobsessed.com

“We are very excited to be a part of this wonderful project,” Weta boss Richard Taylor said. “The subject matter is providing a fantastic level of diversity for us, allowing us to work in the anime world – which is at the other end of the design spectrum from Middle-earth. Having had the privilege of working on such strong source material that The Lord of the Rings offered, it is a privilege to again be involved in subject matter that has a strong and loyal fan base.”

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.”

Source: Newtype

According to sources from Weta the movie is currently in its pre-production stages. The movie, in its current form exists as several hundred concept images, a few of which have appeared in the Newtype magazine, and a draft screenplay which awaits editing by the chosen director. The project seems to have been in the works now for a solid few months with the Weta team working hard on perfecting visual preparation (Weta appear very dedicated, sources telling us that they have turned down two other projects over this one).

The film will not be directed by Hideaki Anno, neither will it be directed by Peter Jackson. Rumors have been flying around about who might be involved in a directing sense; who could do the series justice, remain true to the storyline and still pull off a fantastic movie? That is the question that Gainax have to answer.

Source: Anime Tourist