Don’t write in that book, and definitely don’t be the name written in it.
Netflix has recently picked up the distribution rights to Death Note, a remake to the 2006 Japanese film of the same name adapted from the manga by Tsugumi Ohba. Death Note tells the story of Light Yagami, a brilliant high school student that comes into contact with a death note, a supernatural artifact that can kill someone by simply writing their name in the book. Actor Nat Wolff (The Fault In Our Stars, Paper Towns) is set to portray Light, while actress Margaret Qualley (Palo Alto, the upcoming Nice Guys) is in an undisclosed role. They will be acting off of a script written by Jeremy Slater and will be directed by Adam Wingard.
Okay, okay, calm down manga fans. I know this is big news. I know it’s exciting that Death Note is coming back to the big screen. But take a second to calm down and look at the talent involved.
First of all, I think it’s exciting to see Nat Wolff step into the center role again. The guy has had a handful of film roles up until when he took the lead in Paper Towns, and he did very well at demonstrating the angst and affection of a lonely high school student in that film. He seems to be an upcoming star that has a lot of potential in the growth of his career. Him taking on the complex and thought-provoking role of Light would put him on the spot to prove his chops, and could be a great make-it-or-break-it scenario to show audiences what he’s got.
Granted, they will definitely have to change Light Yagami’s name considering Wolff is American and not Japanese. That’s something fans definitely won’t be pleased with.
The other thing you need to consider is the talent behind the camera as opposed to the front. Wingard is an up-and-coming director that hit major success with the horror films You’re Next and The Guest. Seeing his directing chops shows that he’s definitely ready for Death Note, as the series has horror undertones bleeding through every page of its manga.
The thing to be most concerned about is the fact that Jeremy Slater is writing. He’s the screenwriter behind the recently released The Lazarus Effect and Fantastic Four remake. These movies have three things in common: they’re both dark, they’re both opaque, and they’re both God awful. Seriously, don’t watch them just to see for yourself. It’s not worth it. Those films were grossly uninteresting and released to a widely negative reaction.
That’s not the kind of writer that’s reliable enough for Death Note.
No words on the anticipated release date for Netflix’s Death Note. Filming for the production starts in June.
– David Dunn
SOURCE: Cinemablend, ComingSoon.net
DAVID DUNN 