According to zandor117, this is what was said:

Questioner: “Is there anything new about the EVA movie?”

David Williams: “The EVA movie is now in Production”

Questioner: “Can you tell us the director?”

David Williams: “I am not allowed to say that yet.”

ADV has not yet commented further.

While this does not seem like full production (i.e. filming actors) or even fully fledged pre-production like set building, the main concrete news seems to be that a director has signed on, moving the project beyond the proposal and development phase. Previously, negotiations were under way with a shortlist of directors who had expressed an interest, but the decision had not been made yet.

Read the original discussion thread

“As expected, a large portion of questions revolved around the live-action version of Neon Genesis Evangelion. Greenfield confirmed that the project was very much alive, and they were currently in the process of finding a director. While naming no names, Greenfield did confirm that interest has been shown by several major directors, including one who has won an Oscar. He also mentioned that the probable location of the shoot would be New Zealand, the same country where WETA, the studio slated to create special effects for Evangelion, is located. When asked how soon the movie would be finished, Greenfield indicated it would be at least a year, most likely 3 or 4.”

This past weekend (Feb. 18–20) I took a trip down to Crystal City to host an Evangelion panel for the Katsucon anime convention. Among other topics we discussed the Live Action Evangelion film.

Please note that the following is an unofficial source and should for now be treated as nothing more than rumor.

One of the attendees claimed to have an associate currently interning in WETA’s prop shop (for lack of a better term). He claimed that WETA artists have produced more than just the conceptual artwork we’ve seen thus far, including some preliminary 3D models and so forth.

Also of interest is that the word around the studio is that Peter Jackson is indeed interested in directing this project, however due to contractual agreements with Universal (?), he is currently tied into working on King Kong, and is unable to head up Live Action Evangelion, and may well be in line or have vouched for Live Action Eva once King Kong’s production closes.

Once again, this is pure unsubstaniated rumor, and should be taken with a grain of salt. The possibility for Peter Jackson’s direction may exist, according to what I was told. However, this is not a credible source and needs further verification.

Due to the lack of news of late, I felt it neccessary, if for no other reason than to give you something to think about.

Tiffany stated that;

• If she were to make a cameo in the movie, she would like to play Asuka’s mother
• She toyed with the ideas of Hugo Weaving playing Gendo and Jennifer Garner playing Misato (a good pick IMO)

Still only miniscule threads of news at the moment folks. A lull in the (live) action.

Thanks to Tero Niemi

The film instead covers, “the problems with the centralizing powers within the EU and versus the USA. Great powers collide, God is manipulated and people have their own agendas.. Nothing is sacred.” In a A futuristic and religious sci-fi action thriller. Thus, moving on…

The film will not be directed by Hideaki Anno, neither will it be directed by Peter Jackson. Rumors have been flying around about who might be involved in a directing sense; who could do the series justice, remain true to the storyline and still pull off a fantastic movie? That is the question that Gainax have to answer.

Source: Anime Tourist

Like LOTR, the core of the principle photography will be filmed in New Zealand.

Along the lines of a plot and adaptation of the series, recent internet rumors suggest the film will focus on the first half of the 26 episode series — possibly extending the story with a later sequel — all the content covered within NGE is difficult to include yet often too important to miss out.

Gainax are keeping hush hush about details of the flick although they have a busy schedule for the movie and its “promotion”, so expect to find out more saucy details in the coming weeks.

Source: Anime Tourist