Adam Wingard’s First ‘Death Note’ Trailer Descends, Offers Unique Tone To Prior ‘Death Note’ Stories

Death Note is a popular manga series written by Tsugumi Ohba and illustrated by Takeshi Obata. The story dealt with its genius-level protagonist, Light Yagami, as he discovered a supernatural notebook, the Death Note.

Granting him the capability to kill anyone, Light ventured to purge the world of impure people and become its God. Ryuk, a Shinigami, shadowed Light throughout the story, as he was the original owner of that specific notebook.

Death Note has been adapted into several mediums, including animation and live-action films. Director Adam Wingard is currently working on a new rendition of the story, which will be distributed by Netflix. Last week, the first trailer for his upcoming live-action film was released.

FIRST DEATH NOTE TRAILER

Death Note fans will instantly notice how, while core facets are carrying over, this will be a different version of the plot. Additionally, Wingard’s Ferris wheel set piece implies this Death Note is aiming for a different tone.

Prior Death Notes were set in Japan, but Wingard’s is an Americanization. This is reflected in Light’s character; he’s been renamed Light Turner, and the trailer seems to emphasize his status as a loner, rather than the suave, cool demeanor of his more familiar incarnations. Nat Wolff is portraying Light.

Ryuk, voiced by Willem Dafoe, was also highlighted; his laughter was audible towards the beginning, and he closed the trailer by asking, “Shall we begin?” Keith Stanfield’s L was briefly seen, although his dynamic with Light wasn’t touched upon.

Margaret Qualley‘s Mia Sutton (who fans will better recognize as Misa Amane) appeared too, and it seems her relationship with Light will be adapted in some form. Other cast members include Paul Nakauchi as Watari, and Shea Whigham as James Turner (Soichiro Yagami), Light’s father.

Wingard’s Death Note will arrive on Netflix this year, on August 25.