Thanks to David from team fortyseven, we now have the official announcement of the Astro Boy video game, based on the upcoming CG Movie by Imagi. The video game is being published by D3Publisher and will be available this fall on Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS, Playstation 2, and PSP.
What's most exciting about this announcement is that the Wii, DS, and PSP versions of the game are being developed by High Voltage, the creative group responsible for one of the most highly anticipated Wii games of the year, The Conduit. If you're been following development of The Conduit, then you know that these guys are pushing the Wii to do some really impressive stuff. This should bode well for Astro.
The DS version of the game is being developed by Art Co. Ltd. It will likely be a different game all together from the other versions.
According to the press release, the game features an intuitive combat system through both classic platforming and flight combat levels, never before seen enemies, unlockable elements to collect, and butt machine guns. Yes, you read that right. The but machine guns are in the game. There will also be a 2 player co-op mode, and it'll be interesting to see how that works out.
The box art image included with this post was obtained from GoNintendo, but I am not sure if it is final or just temporary.
Read all the details by clicking the link below!
LOS ANGELES – May 7, 2009 – D3Publisher (D3P), a publisher and developer of interactive entertainment software, today announced that it will bring Imagi Studios’ new CG-animated movie, ASTRO BOY, to Wii™, Nintendo DS™, PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, and the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system. Based on the upcoming feature film which itself is inspired by one of the most beloved characters of all time, ASTRO BOY: THE VIDEO GAME will allow players to become Astro Boy, a young boy robot with incredible powers. ASTRO BOY: THE VIDEO GAME is slated to ship worldwide this fall to coincide with the North American and international release of the movie in October 2009 from Summit Entertainment.
“We are confident that the ASTRO BOY: THE VIDEO GAME will be a faithful adaption of the movie by successfully blending action gameplay with immersive storytelling,” said Alison Quirion, vice president of marketing, D3Publisher. “Players of all ages will interact with the much-loved characters from the movie and square off against powerful foes from the movie for a rock solid gameplay experience from start to finish.”
In ASTRO BOY: THE VIDEO GAME, players become the iconic hero, Astro Boy, and take to the streets and skies on an epic adventure to save Metro City from the clutches of the evil President Stone and his robot army. Utilizing Astro’s entire arsenal of iconic weapons and abilities--Finger Lasers, Arm Cannon, Butt Machine Guns and Drill Attacks, players will battle hordes of robot enemies and colossal bosses including some never-before-seen enemies across Metro City and the mysterious Surface. Using an intuitive combat system that adds depth to gameplay, players will experience classic platform action and exhilarating flight combat levels as they use Astro’s unique rocket boosters to hover, avoid enemies and zip out of the way of danger. ASTRO BOY: THE VIDEO GAME offers numerous unlockable and collectible elements that include exclusive art work, different versions of Astro Boy and more, as players live the story solo or side by side with a friend in 2 player co-op mode on Wii and the PlayStation 2 system.
ASTRO BOY: THE VIDEO GAME for Wii, PlayStation 2 system and PSP system is under development by High Voltage Software and Nintendo DS by Art Co. Ltd. The game is currently rated “RP” (“Rating Pending”) by the ESRB.
About ASTRO BOY
Imagi Studios is currently in production on Astro Boy, produced by Maryann Garger, directed by David Bowers (Flushed Away), and written by Timothy Harris (Kindergarten Cop, Trading Places) and Bowers. The CG-animated motion picture features the voices of Freddie Highmore, Kristen Bell, Nathan Lane, Eugene Levy, Matt Lucas, Bill Nighy, Donald Sutherland and Nicolas Cage as ‘Dr. Tenma’.
Set in the future, Astro Boy is a classic superhero origin story about a young robot with incredible powers and his adventure-filled journey in search of his identity and destiny, taking him into a netherworld of robot gladiators before he returns to save Metro City.
The iconic character Astro Boy has found global popularity since his creation in the early 1950s by Japan’s Osamu Tezuka, known as the “god of manga” and “father of anime”, and has been the hero of three acclaimed animated television series aired around the world.
Astro Boy, slated for North American release on October 23, 2009, is being distributed worldwide by Summit Entertainment except for Imagi’s reserved territories of Japan, Hong Kong and China.
About Summit Entertainment, LLC
Summit Entertainment, LLC is a worldwide theatrical motion picture development, financing, production and distribution studio. The studio handles all aspects of marketing and distribution for both its own internally developed motion pictures as well as acquired pictures. Summit Entertainment also represents international sales for both its own slate and third-party product. Summit Entertainment plans to release 10 to 12 films annually.
About Imagi
Imagi International Holdings Limited (Stock Code 585, OTCQX: IINHY) is a listed company on the main board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Imagi Studios’ principal business is the development and production of CG-animated theatrical feature films. Imagi’s first theatrical movie TMNT was released in March 2007, opening #1 in U.S. box office revenue, the first time in history that an Asian animated film achieved that honor. Imagi’s CG production studios are located at its Chai Wan (Hong Kong) corporate headquarters with development and marketing operations based in Los Angeles, California, and an office in Tokyo. Astro Boy is Imagi’s next motion picture for worldwide theatrical release in October 2009. For further information, please visit www.imagi.com.hk.
About High Voltage Software, Inc.
High Voltage Software, Inc. is an award-winning studio that has been developing games and simulations for over 16 years. Located in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, it now employs over 170 staff members. The independent company has successfully produced a wide variety of license-based video game titles that include competitive racing, professional sports, horror, motion picture adaptations, and military simulations, and is now making its foray into original and innovative intellectual properties. More information about High Voltage Software and its products can be found at www.high-voltage.com.
About D3Publisher
D3Publisher, a subsidiary of D3, Inc., is a leading interactive entertainment publisher and distributor for licensed and original titles for personal computers, major console platforms and handheld systems. D3Publisher has operations in the U.S., U.K., and Japan. The company also owns development studio Vicious Cycle Software, Inc., and its technology platform, Vicious Engine. Recent releases have included Dark Sector®, Dead Head Fred®, Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords®, Ben 10™: Protector of Earth and BEN 10 ALIEN FORCE™The Game. For more information about D3Publisher, please visit: www.d3publisher.com.
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Dark Sector® is a registered trademark of Digital Extremes. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners and used with permission. All rights reserved.
Friday, May 8, 2009
Astro Video Game press release
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Jazwares Press Release & Urban Vinyl pics
With special thanks to Jazwares' PR representative Shannon, here are two, extremely high quality images of the Astro Boy figures from the Jazwares Urban Vinyl line, which they are calling “JUVIs” (a play on "Jazwares Urban Vinyl").
***EDIT***
Sorry, Even though I was sent this information by PR representative for Jazwares, I have now been told to remove this post, because the images and press release had not yet been approved by Imagi. However, I was also told that when there is new info, AstroBoy World will be bringing it to you first.
My apologies to everyone. I hope no one got into any trouble over this! There was no reason for me to believe that that the information sent to me wasn't ok to share. But, hey, in my book, being told to remove materials from the Internet means that I have truly made it as a Webmaster!
Monday, May 4, 2009
Scary Astro Statues!
Yet another set of oddities dug up on eBay and discovered via the Astroboy Online Forums. These bizarre, creepy Astro Boy statues are certainly not licensed products and are likely to give you nightmares! But, hey, kudos to creativity, I guess.
This first one has got some kind of Tim Burton-esque Nightmare Before Christmas thing going on. Freaky. Click the images for a larger view.
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And then this one is some kind of weird cyborg thing. I don't know.
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Both of these eBay auctions ended without any bids. Go figure, right? I am not posting links, but if you're interested, try to find them yourself. Just don't complain if you buy one and it swallows your soul. Continue reading "Scary Astro Statues!"...
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Astro Movie Comics now up for Pre-Order!
IDW is rolling out brand new comics based on the upcoming CG animated Astro Boy movie, and now we've got a look at the covers of the collected versions, now available for pre-order on Amazon.com. They are set for release on September 29. Let's take a look at the artwork that will be gracing the covers!
Here is the cover image of The Movie Prequel: Underground. It is written by Scott Tipton and drawn by Diego Jourdan, with the cover artwork shown here painted by Ashley Wood.
And here is the cover to The Movie Adaptation. It is also written by Scott Tipton and drawn by E.J. Su, though this cover artwork looks like it's by Diego Jourdan.
I wonder if the cover art is going to stay this way. It seems odd to have Diego's art as the cover to E.J.'s book but not his own book. Perhaps it is just temporary, or perhaps this is the way the company wants it. Diego, E.J., can either of you two gents shed some light on this?
Major thanks go out to the ever-adorable AstroBoyGF from the Astroboy Online forums, who brought these Amazon listings to my attention.
If you're interested in ordering these books, please consider using the Amazon links below, as doing so will help to support the further development of AstroBoy World!
More on a Potential Pluto Movie
Back in Feburary I posted an article about Naoki Urasawa, the notable manga artist behind the re-imagined Astro Boy story "Pluto". In the article, the possibility of a Pluto movie is brought up.
Cristoph Mark, the original writer of the article, has stopped by AstroBoy World to deliver some more insight into what he knows about this potential film project.
Hi, I'm the writer of the original story. I don't know why I didn't include this in the original article, but Urasawa and Nagasaki both said the Hollywood version of Pluto would be live-action, not animated. There are also a few Japanese companies looking at it for different kinds of releases, but the Hollywood take on Pluto was something I thought we should all hope for...So there you have it. The current plan is that if a Pluto movie is made, and if that movie is developed through the Hollywood system, then it will be a live action movie. However, the possibility also exists that Japanese companies are looking into doing something as well. It will be exciting to see just what ends up happening with it!
Big time thanks go out to Cris for visiting the site and sharing this great bit of info with us! Continue reading "More on a Potential Pluto Movie"...
Full Trailer to the MW Movie
Up till now, all we've seen of the live action film adaptation of Osamu Tezuka's "MW" is some mysterious, sinister looking Japanese text. But now we've got a full trailer! Take a look right here.
Thanks to Twitch!
You can watch the original teaser trailer here.
From insects to Astro Boy
Here's a quick article from The Yomiuri Shimbun about the previously reported Osamu Tezuka Exhibition, where Tezuka's desk and work area is on display. It's happening right now in Tokyo.
Renegade surgeon Black Jack, sensitive robot Tetsuwan Atom, dashing gender-bender Princess Sapphire, regal white-maned lion Leo...These and many other characters, from samurai to space aliens, emerged from the fertile imagination of mangaka Osamu Tezuka (1928-1989) to delight manga and anime fans worldwide.Continue reading "From insects to Astro Boy"...
Fans can learn more about the artist at the Osamu Tezuka Exhibition being held through June 21 at the Edo-Tokyo Museum in Sumida Ward, Tokyo, a two-minute walk from Ryogoku Station.
The displays begin with memorabilia of Tezuka's childhood, including several minutes of home movies. There are notebooks in which the boy drew meticulous color pictures of butterflies and other insects, as well as his early attempts at manga-style storytelling.
The show includes dozens of pages of original manga manuscripts the adult Tezuka drew by hand, as well as artifacts such as the desk and chair he used while drawing, and his trademark beret and glasses.
Particular attention is paid to Atom, better known in English as Astro Boy. In addition to manuscript pages, there is a life-sized effigy of Astro Boy lying on a lab table waiting to be brought to life as multicolored lights play over him. A minute or so of footage from Hollywood's upcoming computer-graphic take on the character can also be seen.
The exhibition, in Japanese, is open 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. (to 7:30 p.m. on Saturdays), with final admission 30 minutes before closing. The museum is closed May 7 and Mondays except May 4, 11 and 18. Admission is 1,300 yen for adults, 1,040 yen for university students and 650 yen for high school students and those over 65.
(May. 1, 2009)
