When it comes to things that we probably weren’t expecting to happen, I’d dare suggest a J.J. Abrams-produced live-action adaptation of Makoto Shinkai’s smash-hit “your name.” is pretty high on the list. However, this just happens to be the timeline we’re living in, and what a weird one it is. Announced earlier, J.J. Abram’s studio, Bad Robot, will be handling the production of a Hollywood live-action adaptation of the film, which is set to be distributed by Paramount Pictures and penned by Eric Heisserer of “Arrival” fame.
Abrams is perhaps best known for his work on both the “Star Wars” and “Star Trek” reboots of the last several years, as well as a slew of other high-budget films in which he has directed and produced.
Sending shockwaves throughout the anime community, the announcement was met with mixed opinions from fans of the original 2016 animated film. Many raised concerns in particular regarding the lack of ‘good’ live-action adaptations to stem from the Hollywood film industry as of late, following less-than-stellar reviews of both Rupert Sanders’ “Ghost in the Shell” adaptation, and Adam Wingard’s “Death Note.” Others simply suggested the original animated film simply gets another wave of screenings, allowing a larger audience to enjoy it.
Instead of making a live action Your Name, couldn’t we just, like, bring it back to theaters and tell people about it
— Passion Harmony (@PassionTentacle) 28 September 2017
Following the announcement that the adaptation would be coming to fruition, Makoto Shinkai, the original director of the animated film, had the following to say:
“your name. is a film created with the innate imaginations of a Japanese team and put together in a domestic medium. When such a work is imbued with Hollywood filmmaking, we may see new possibilities that we had been completely unaware of. I am looking forward to the live-action film with excited anticipation.”
While the live-action adaptation still does come as a surprise to many, it isn’t too farfetched to say it was almost inevitable. With the widespread global success of the film, which in some cases was more than that of other Hollywood movies this year, the industry demanding in on the project should be expected. What are your thoughts on the news of this live-action adaptation? Are you excited to see what could come of it, or do you think it’s another unnecessary adaptation of an already incredible film?