Get ready ladies and gents! Adam Wingard has directed a Death Note live action movie that is set to be released this August on our beloved Netflix. As exciting as this may sound, the trailer has received mixed reactions from fans of the manga as well as the anime. From the casting choices to the storyline, many people are worried that the movie will not live up to fans expectations.
So, here’s the break down. The movie based on Tsugumi Ohba’s manga will be set in Seattle, Washington instead of Japan. This is a major red flag for some fans because it seems that the setting of the movie has effected the casting choices as well. Many people believe that the movie should stay true to the anime and manga, meaning that it should be set in Japan and the cast should be Japanese. Yet the role of Light will be played by Nat Wolff, Ryuk will be played by Willem Dafoe, and L will be portrayed by Keith Stanfield, all American actors.
Personally, I don’t mind, as long as the acting is decent. But, it’s the first Hollywood adapted live action film for this anime with a mainstream release, so die hard fans should at least get a proper nod to the OG. Especially with the bevy of talented Japanese actors in Hollywood that would be PERECT for this film. On the other hand, there is already a Death Note film series that began in 2008 that does have Japanese actors. Sooooo, there’s that. But to each their own.
If you haven’t seen the trailer, check it out here. Death Note is set to be released on August 25, 2017 on Netflix.