Now that Garrett Hedlund is basically squared away to lead Warner Bros’ remake of “Akira” and offers for other roles have gone out to such heavyhitters as Gary Oldman, Helena Bonham Carter and Keira Knightley, the search turns to the second male lead. THR reports two young actors have emerged as potential front-runners for the role of Tetsuo: “We Need to Talk About Kevin” star and Oscar hopeful Ezra Miller, and a regular of Francis Ford Coppola’s films, Alden Ehrenreich. Both actors will read for the role next Tuesday.

In Japan, “Akira” was set in a post-apocalypric Neo-Toyko, but this new Americanized adaptation will take place in New-Manhattan, where Hedlund’s Kaneda, the leader of a bike gang, must save his little brother Tetsuo from becoming a science experiment and a dangerous weapon after he develops telekinetic abilities.

Miller is earning raves as the homicidal teenager in Lynn Ramsay’s “We Need to Talk About Kevin”, currently one of the most buzzed about movies during Oscar season, and will next be see opposite Logan Lerman and Emma Watson in the highly anticipated “The Perks of Being a Wallflower.” Ehrenreich, a favorite of Francis Ford Coppola, made his feature film debut in “Tetro” and also starred opposite Elle Fanning in “Twixt.” He recently wrapped up shooting “Stoker” opposite Mia Wasikowska and Matthew Goode.