We still don't know for sure if Zac Efron will in fact be a major character in the live-action remake of Akira in the works from directors Albert and Allen Hughes, but while trying to confirm that rumor, Bloody Disgusting dug up another interesting and less terrifying tidbit. Apparently none other than Morgan Freeman is eyeing the role of the Colonel, the director of the secret government project that snaps up main character Tetsuo when his psychic powers are awakened.

It sounds fairly similar to the role Freeman played in Wanted and a lot of his work of late-- older, wiser badasses-- and the casting makes a lot more sense than Efron as a tough gang leader. But given that he's just circling the part and nothing is settled for now, it's best not to get up any hopes yet. It's the kind of role Freeman could likely play in his sleep, and will probably have far less impact on the movie's success than whether or not Efron can handle his own role. That's the part we're really waiting for confirmation on before we know what to expect.