Anime Movies That Could be Made

The Movie:

Tons of military-style action and gunfights? Yep, a “Black Lagoon” movie, directed by maybe Michael Davis of “Shoot "Em Up” fame would be perfect for a live action, U.S. version. The plot would be easy to do; focus it on Rock"s (who could still be Japanese rather than American) arrival in Roanapur and his assignment, his kidnapping by Lagoon Company and the need to find out what's really on the disc that so many people want to kill for it. Naturally, you couldn't cram all the other mercenary groups, such as the Church of Violence or the Aryan Socialist Union, into one movie, so some could be saved for sequels.

As for the cast, that part might actually be easy. Megan Fox, who we already know looks good in a tank top and super-short cut-offs, would be great to play Revy, and would also give her a chance to kick ass with a pair of Beretta handguns. In contrast, her “Transformers” co-star Shia LeBeouf could play Rock, allowing the two to switch off the sidekick role this time around. Carl Weathers or Ving Rhames could come on to play Dutch, Lagoon Company's seasoned leader, while Owen Wilson could play Benny, the group's resident mechanic and computer guy. For the role of Balalaika, Natasha Henstridge could pull off playing the sexy yet scarred Russian Mafia boss.

HIS AND HER CIRCUMSTANCES

The Anime:

At school, Yukino Miyazawa is the prettiest and smartest girl in her class, but at home she's a slob who studies rather than spend time with her sisters. When new student Soichiro Arima appears to challenge her position, Yukino fights to destroy and keep her spot. Eventually, the two manage to see past each other's faults and fall in love, and have to struggle to keep their relationship against those who want to break them up, such as friends, family, rivals and even their own school, who fear a decline in the grades of their top students.

The Movie:

Yeah, its more a dramatic comedy and doesn't have any guns or explosions, but this could be something different for Hollywood to do and appeal to the “chick flick” crowd. They'd end up changing a lot in terms of locale and names to Americanize it, but a “His and Her Circumstances” movie would fit right up there with all the other high school romance comedies that are all the rage. It wouldn't be too hard to work the plot into a 90-minute movie, which would chronicle the two main characters meeting, competing, falling in love and dealing with those who want to break them up. This, perhaps, could be something Kevin Smith could do, as it is a comic-based project and he has experience with romantic comedies with “Chasing Amy”. The cast, of course, would mainly consist of relative unknowns, probably plucked from TV shows like “The O.C.” or “One Tree Hill”.

MAGIC KNIGHT RAYEARTH

The Anime:

Hikaru, Umi and Fuu are three girls from different schools and backgrounds, but are all suddenly transported to the magical world of Cephiro, where they must become the legendary Magic Knights and save Princess Emeraude, who has been captured by High Priest Zagato. But as they gather powers and weapons, gain allies and battle enemies, the girls learn not all is what it seems in terms of the situation and who the villains really are. Created by CLAMP, the girls behind “Card Captor Sakura”, this “Lord of the Rings”-style fantasy tale is one of their better-known titles.

The Movie:

Fantasy's big in America, so a “Rayearth” (they'll probably simply call it that and leave out the “Magic Knight” part) film could be easy to do. The story itself was done in a pair of three-volume stories, so a pair (maybe a trilogy?) of films could be done, the first focusing on the girls becoming the Magic Knights and their original quest, while the sequel would focus on their return to Cephiro to help rectify their actions. Peter Jackson, who's used to doing big-scale epics such as “Lord of the Rings”, would be a good choice to direct, with WETA, the effects guys for “Rings” and the upcoming “Evangelion” movie, to handle the creature and machine effects for the movie. Casting for the girls would be done by unknowns, while better-known actors could handle characters such as Zagato (Viggo Mortensen, maybe?)

And there you have it. Ten potential title Hollywood could do, right off the bat. Success of the already established and upcoming films, as well as getting the film rights, could determine their potential, but that's still plenty to work with. All fans can do is sit and wait with their fingers crossed.