Astro Boy

Imagi International, the digital workshop that is creating the CGI adaptation of the classic Japanese Anime “Astro Boy”, due out in theaters October 23rd, 2009, has released some artwork from the upcoming film. “Astro Boy” first debuted as a Japanese Manga series in 1952, created by Osamu Tezuka and its animated adaptation is largely considered to be the first animated series to follow the now-familiar “Anime” style and format. It came over the Us in the 1980’s in animated form and is considered one of the most successful Japanese characters ever, even named Japan’s official enjoy for overseas safety by the Japanese government in November 2007. “Astro Boy” [...]
Costa Koutsoutis

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Though earlier rumors suggested that "Astro Boy" has been shut down because of cash flow problems, the CG animated movie is still on the course to be released on the planned date. Addressing the issue to IO9, Imagi U.S. president Erin Corbett claimed that the studio's priority is to make sure that the feature film adaptation of the Japanese anime will see the big screens.
Though admitting that the production has to be halted temporarily, she further noted that studio has planned to resume production as soon as the new round of financing comes in on February 3. "Our number one objective is to get back on the rails," Corbett insisted when talking about the future of the David Bowers-directed animation. "We want to do everything to get Astro Boy out the door."
Back on Sunday, January 25, the president of The Animation Guild, Kevin Koch, reported that Imagi Studio
AceShowbiz.com

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Some potentially horrible news for anime fans awaiting the arrival of the feature adaptation of Osamu Tezuka’s Astro Boy:  production house Imagi Animation have realized that they are unable to make payroll leading to them laying off eighty animators and halting production.  They say this is a temporary situation brought on by the loss of an investor in late 2008 and that bridge financing is on the way but this can’t be a good sign for this or future Imagi productions such as Gatchaman.
A thrilling tale of a true hero, ‘Astro Boy’ is an all-new, full-length feature film full of action, adventure, humor and heart. It will be brought to life on the big screen in breathtaking CGI animation on October 23, 2009.
Set in futuristic Metro City, ‘Astro Boy’ is about a young robot with incredible powers. Powered by pure positive “blue” energy, Astro Boy (Freddie Highmore) is endowed with super strength,
Todd Brown

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