Remember the Akira movie Warner Bros. tried to make a year or so ago? It's back, with a familiar face in tow.

Director Jaume Collet-Serra is once again in talks with the studio to direct the live-action adaptation of the Katsuhiro Otomo manga, produced by Leonardo DiCaprio through Appian Way. Akira was shut down in January 2012 during pre-production due to script changes and a need to reduce a hefty budget. Collet-Serra was attached at the time, but left the project during its transitional phase, focusing instead on the upcoming Liam Neeson action flick Non-Stop.

Variety reports that after a search for a new director, including Paranormal Activity 3 duo Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman, Warner Bros. has returned to Collet-Serra and his vision, albeit with a lower budget. The adaptation is scheduled to begin production next spring.

The live-action Akira takes the story to New Manhattan and follows a bike gang leader who fights the government to save his friend, a man with dangerous psychokinetic abilities.