Guess you can't blame them for trying, and it seems they really want to bring a manga to the big screen in one way or another. So with "Akira" dropping back into development (hell), Warner Bros. are turning their eyes to another manga property in the hopes they can get a tentpole out of it.
The studio has snapped up the live action rights to Tite Kubo's "Bleach" and they've picked something that already has a massive following and a proven track record. At least overseas. Selling over 75 million copies in Japan, and spawning an animated series that has sixteen seasons (and counting), it seems fans are caught up in the life of Ichigo, a teenager with the ability to see ghosts, who squares off against Hollow, an evil lost soul. The teen makes it his mission to protect the innocent and help tortured souls find peace. So far, so good, but the talent behind this thing will once again cause fans grief.
Dan Mazeau ("Wrath Of The Titans") will adapt the material, but Peter Segal — the man behind Adam Sandler vehicles like "Anger Management," "50 First Dates" and "The Longest Yard" — is going to produce and possibly direct. What. The. Fuck. Segal claims he's a big fan of the manga (really?) so maybe this is actually a passion project for him. Or maybe in a couple years' time we're going to be faced with an Adam Sandler-starring "Bleach" at the multiplex. Either way, the complaint department is gonna be busy because surely there are fans who are going to have a lot to say about this bit of news. [Variety]