Nearly six years after the hit "Fullmetal Alchemist" manga and its anime adaptation came to an end, brothers Edward and Alphonse Elric are about to start their search for a philosopher's stone all over again -- this time in live-action.

According to Crunchyroll, a film adaptation of Hiromu Arakawa's action-fantasy manga is in development by director Fumihiko Sori ("Ichi," "Dragon Age: Dawn of the Seeker"). Hey! Say! JUMP and NYC member Ryosuke Yamada, who starred in "Assassination Classroom," is set to play Edward.

Set in an alternate Edwardian-era world where alchemy is a science, and State Alchemists work for the government, "Fullmetal Alchemist" centers on the Elric brothers, who attempt to perform the forbidden human transmutation to resurrect their dead mother. After the transmutation backfires, severely injuring Edward and destroying Alphonse's body, Edward sacrifices his arm to rescue his brother's soul and bind it to a suit of armor. Edward becomes a State Alchemist, and the two set off in search of a philosopher's stone to restore their bodies.

The film, which will shoot from June to August in Italy, will rely heavily on CGI to create elements such as Alphonse's armor. "Fullmetal Alchemist" is targeted for release next year.