Nat Wolff Cast as Light Yagami-esque Lead for Netflix Death Note

Netflix has found their Light Yagami for the American adaptation of the hit anime and manga series Death Note in the form of Paper Towns star Nat Wolff.

But before that, yes, it looks like Netflix wants to get their hands on the Death Note project which is being held by Adam Wingard. If they finally come to an agreement, the series will star Nat Wolff together with Margaret Qualley…

Warner Bros. originally held the license for the picture before ditching late last year. Other studios later tried to snap at the US Death Note movie including STX and Lionsgate before Netflix came into the picture.

According to reports, if Netflix signs the project, production and principal photography will begin June 2016; Interestingly enough the acquisition of the project could set Netflix back by a few millions, between 40 to 50 million to be exact.

Based on the Japanese Manga series, Wolff plays a student who discovers a supernatural notebook that allows him to kill anyone simply by writing the victim’s name. A cat-and-mouse game ensues when he’s tracked by a reclusive police officer.

Roy Lee, Dan Lin, Jason Hoffs and Masi Oka are producing the project, which was previously adapted as a movie in its home country of Japan, where it spawned a sequel. Jeremy Slater (“Fantastic Four”) wrote a recent draft of the script. Shane Black was previously attached to direct. Doug Davison and Brian Witten are exec producing.

To be honest, I want this to succeed mostly because Netflix has been doing a fine job when it comes to making movies and similar media. The problem is, Death Note, as a Western title could be difficult. The show had the occasional Japanese nuance which translated pretty well in the Japanese live-action but that could be polar opposite for a Western audience.

Death Note has been made into 2 movies and one spinoff featuring L and there’s also an anime movie which retells the entire story.