Netflix has revealed the first teaser trailer for its upcoming live-action adaptation of Death Note. Based on the popular 2003 anime and manga of the same name, director Adam Wingard has promised that he won't be pulling any punches with his take on the franchise. "To me, the thing about anime is that it's so adult-oriented, " Wingard tells Collider. " I remember going to Suncoast growing up and you see Akira there with the little 'Not For Kids' sticker on it. That always made an impact on me. So, doing my first live-action anime thing, to me it was important that you have those adult themes. So it's got nudity, it's got swearing, it's got a ton of violence." You can catch the first trailer for Netflix's Death Note movie below.
For the uninitiated, Death Note tells the story of student Light Turner. One day the nihilistic student stumbles upon a mysterious journal, inscribed with the words 'Death Note' on the front. After accidentally summoning Ryuk - a demonic looking being known as a Shinigami - Light discovers that writing someone's name along with a date will lead to that person's grizzly death. He then begins to take justice into his own hands, murdering a slew of dangerous criminals. Without giving too much away, it's a dark and gripping anime that takes a lot of twists and turns.
Believe it or not, this isn't the first live-action Death Note movie. Japan released two Death Note movies in 2006 and 2008 respectively - but they weren't exactly incredible. With The Guest and Outcast director Adam Wingard on board this time, however, things are looking more promising for Netflix's version.Nat Wolff (A Fault In Our Stars) plays Light Turner, with none other than Willem Dafoe voicing his CG spirit world companion Ryuk. Straight Outta Compton's Keith Stanfield will also be making an appearance, playing the mysterious detective known only as 'L'.
With Wingard promising not to tone done the brilliantly twisted nature of the original, this could be the Death Note movie fans have been waiting for. Death Note will air exclusively on Netflix on August 25th.
