According to a report from Japanese publication Daily Cyzo (via Crunchyroll), a live-action adaptation of "Fullmetal Alchemist" is in the works and will begin production this summer with a 2017 release date in the cards. According to the report, production will be in Italy, from June to August.
"Fullmetal Alchemist" was created by Hiromu Arakawa as a serialized manga series that ran from 2001 to 2010. The manga saw two anime adaptations, with the second one "Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood" ending simultaneously with the manga and is noted as being the more faithful of the two. Two animated films were also released.
Hey!Say!JUMP member Ryosuke Yamada, who played Nagisa in the live-action adaptation of "Assassination Classroom," will be portraying the film's lead character, the alchemist known as Edward Elric. Edward's brother, Alphonse, is speculated to be rendered in CGI using motion-capture technology given that the character is a walking set of armor.
Fumihiko Sori will be directing the film. He is known for his work on "Ping Pong" and "Ashita no Joe," both of which were widely acclaimed films in Japan and in some international markets. He also also worked on the CGI development for James Cameron's "Titanic" and also directed the video game movie "Dragon Age: Dawn of the Seeker."
No promotional art or story plot points for the film adaptation have been revealed at this point, although it is speculated that more promotional material will be released once production begins, particularly a trailer, which may be released by the end of fall.
"Fullmetal Alchemist" tells the tale of two brothers looking for the Philospher's Stone, believing that it will bring back Alphonse to his original body and Edward's arm and leg, all of which were taken when the brothers attempted to use forbidden alchemy to revive their mother. During their journey, they will also need to help stop a rising rebellion that may destroy the world.
