Zac Efron to star in ‘Akira’?

LOS ANGELES - Hollywood heartthrob Zac Efron is likely to star in comic-adaptation “Akira”.

The “Charlie St. Cloud” star is reportedly in talks to play gang leader Shotaro Kaneda. The story of the film revolves around teen biker gang member Kaneda whose latent powers are exposed after he is subjected to a government experiment.

While the comic book is set in post-nuclear war Tokyo in 2019, the new movie is expected to be set in New York.

Veteran actor Morgan Freeman has also been linked to the movie and will reportedly play the role of the Colonel, reports imdb.com.

The Warner Brothers film is being produced by Leonardo DiCaprio’s Appian Way production company and directed by Allen and Albert Hughes.