Press Release
Retailers, fans and collectors outside of Japan have long desired a central source for getting the fabulous merchandise based on the titles from Tezuka Osamu, whose substantial output and innovative techniques earned him the revered reputation as the “father of the manga format.”
After seeing this clip from the upcoming Astro Boy movie, it’s no wonder they’re already talking sequel.
IDW Publishing has sent Major Spoilers a sneak peek of titles arriving in stores on June 3, 2009. Take the jump for Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Movie Adaptation #3, Transformers Best of the UK: City of Fear #5, G.I. Joe Movie Prequel #4, GI Joe: The Best of Duke TPB, Angel: Not Fade Away #2, Doctor Who Classics: Series 2 #7, Star Trek: Crew #4, Astro Boy Movie Prequel: Underground #2.
IDW sent a whole lotta titles arriving in stores next week. Company offerings include G.I. Joe: Cobra #3, GI Joe: The Best of Cobra Commander TPB, Astro Boy Movie Prequel: Underground #1, From the Ashes #, Angel: Not Fade Away #1, Star Trek: Mission’s End #3, Doctor Who Classics: Series 2 #6, Complete Chester Gould’s Dick Tracy, Vol. 7 HC, Complete Little Orphan Annie Vol. 3, and Robinson Crusoe.
I’m liking this more and more.
Press Release
Los Angeles (November 14, 2008) – Imagi Studios announced today that it has signed worldwide licensing agreements with IDW Publishing, American Greetings, Penguin Group (USA) Inc., Jazwares Inc., and D3Publisher for Astro Boy, its upcoming CG-animated film based on the adventures of the superhero icon. The studio’s agreement with American Greetings also extends to future Imagi films. Astro Boy, slated for domestic release on October 23, 2009, is being distributed worldwide by Summit Entertainment except for Imagi’s reserved territories of Japan, Hong Kong and China.
Summit Entertainment has announced Astro Boy will see a North America release on Friday, October 23, 2009.
Astro Boy’s all-star cast features the voices of Academy Award®-winning actor Nicolas Cage, Donald Sutherland, Nathan Lane, Bill Nighy and Eugene Levy with Freddie Highmore in the title role. David Bowers (Flushed Away) is directing Astro Boy from a screenplay written by Timothy Harris (Trading Places, Kindergarten Cop), with Maryann Garger producing.
The company will push the film hard, as the CG-animated movie will land on 3,000 screens.
If you are in love with Kristen Bell’s voice, then you’ll want to head down to the theater when the CG-animated Astro Boy movie arrives in 2009. Bell, along with Nicolas Cage, Donald Sutherland, Bill Nighy, Freddie Highmore, Nathan Lane, and Eugene Levy will retell Japan’s favorite robot franchise of all time for American audiences.
Why yes, there are more pictures of Ms. Bell after the jump.
It’s being reported that young thespian Freddie Highmore will be providing the voice of Astro Boy in the upcoming CGI movie.
Set in futuristic Metro City, Imagi’s “Astro Boy” tells the story of a young robot created by a scientist to replace the son he lost. Unable to fulfill the grieving father’s expectations, Astro Boy embarks on a journey of discovery before he returns to save Metro City and reconcile with his creator.
If you aren’t familiar with Highmore, you might want to head down to your local theater and check out the Spiderwick Chronicles.
I’ve had a love/hate relationship with Astro Boy for years. On the one hand, I love the early AB series from the 60s, but hate the reboot stuff that came out a few years ago.