Is there gonna be a Death Note American live action movie?

Warner Bros. acquired the rights to make Death Note movie back in 2009. Charley and Vlas Parlapanides were hired for screenplay adaption. On January 13, 2011, it was announced that Shane Black has been hired to direct the film, with the script being written by Anthony Bagarozzi and Charles Mondry.

So it's not TOTALLY DEFINITE that it will really happen, but Warner Bros. has the rights and is working on it. But it seems they are still in the beginning stages of adapting the story into something suitable for a movie. They aren't yet doing casting calls or filming or anything like that yet.

The thing about Zac Efron was mostly rumor. Efron did state once that he is an anime and manga fan and said he "[loves] Death Note" and had a meeting about his possible involvement with a film for it, but that was back in 2009. So yes he is interested (what fan wouldn't be!) but it is not a definite that he would play the role of Light. It's mostly because of those little comments, everyone talked about it like he already had the part.

@Orum: yeah I have trouble imagining it too. Probably cause Efron's biggest movie roles were in happier, family or feel-good types of movies. Whereas Light is an incredibly messed up dude in a dark and psychological story. So it just seems out of place based on his previous roles.

Well Warner Bros. has the rights for a remake and yes they are planning to make such thing.

And Zac Effron thing is just a rumor, don't believe everything you see.

I can't imagine Zac being light for some reason.

Unfortunately, yes. Warner Bros. have earned rights for live action movie on Death Note AND Bleach. They are going to suffer the same fate as Dragonball in Evolution. Unless, they have some clever strategy its going to be ruined too.