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Netflix's Live-Action Death Note Film Director Deletes Twitter After Harassment

Although Death Note manga creators Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata had some positive words for Netflix's live-action Death Note film, it has received mixed reviews from fans and critics. In addition to whitewashing complaints, the film has faced criticism for plot changes and the Seattle setting. Some disappointed fans decided to express their frustrations to the film's director Adam Wingard on his Twitter account.

However, it seems some people took their criticism to extremes, causing Wingard to delete his Twitter account. In addition to harsh criticism, Wingard apparently received death threats on Twitter in response to the film adaptation. Just before his account disappeared from the social networking service, Wingard posted one final Tweet that read, "It's time to switch gears over to GvK. Going dark." He was referring to his next project, Godzilla vs. Kong.

In the days leading up to that, though, Wingard reportedly tweeted some responses to "trolls" he viewed as unreasonably lashing out at him. One Tweet from August 26 read, “Sorry trolls but the artist always wins in the long run.” He then reportedly wrote, “I love how many people feel personally attacked by this tweet. Its [sic] almost like troll bait. Those that bit expose themselves.” To clarify his willingness to receive constructive criticism, Wingard reportedly said, "Film criticism is different than b*tching at filmmakers on twitter.”

While it's understandable that fans of the original Death Note manga and anime were upset about the changes made to the work they admire, many Twitter users agree with Wingard that harassing the director was inappropriate. Here are some tweeted responses to Wingard deleting his account:

The film premiered via streaming on Netflix on August 25. It stars Nat Wolff as Light Turner, Keith Stanfield as L, Margaret Qualley as Mia Sutton, Willem Dafoe as the voice of Ryuk, Paul Nakauchi as Watari, and Shea Whigham as James Turner.

Wingard said in an interview on the day the film debuted that he had "pitched it as at least a two-film series, maybe three." However, he went on to say the first film is designed as a "closed loop" as "sequels are never guaranteed."

In addition to previous film, novel, game, musical, and other adaptations, German publisher Lübbe is adapting Death Note into a 12-hour audio drama. The drama will be have both English and German versions.

[Via AICN Anime, ComicBook]