Big time update on the Astro Boy video game, set for release this fall from D3Publisher to coincide with the CG animated movie by Imagi.
Freddie Highmore (Astro) and Kristen Bell (Cora) will be reprising their vocal roles from the film in the game. This should give players a great experience to go along with the movie. I would not expect others like Nicolas Cage to be in the game too, but at least it's something.
There is a brand new Astro Boy: The Game website, with pictures and information, as well as a Facebook page dedicated to the game, for you kids out there who are into that sort of thing.
Thanks to David at fortyseven communications for sending me this info directly! You can check out a press release with all the details by clicking the link below.
Freddie Highmore and Kristen Bell Reprise Their Film Roles in Video Game Based on Imagi Studios’ Astro Boy Movie To Be Released by Summit Entertainment On October 23, 2009
LOS ANGELES – July 14, 2009 – D3Publisher announced today that ASTRO BOY: THE VIDEO GAME, based on Imagi Studios’ highly anticipated CG-animated movie, will feature the voice talents of Freddie Highmore and Kristen Bell. Both actors will reprise their onscreen voiced roles of Astro Boy (Highmore), and Cora (Bell) in a video game that will take players on an epic adventure to save Metro City from the clutches of evil. ASTRO BOY: THE VIDEO GAME will be available in North American retail stores for Wii™, Nintendo DS™, PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, and the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system on October 20, 2009 to coincide with Summit Entertainment’s nationwide domestic release of the movie on October 23, 2009.
“We’re pleased to work with both Freddie Highmore and Kristen Bell on ASTRO BOY: THE VIDEO GAME,” said Alison Quirion, vice president of marketing, D3Publisher. “Their participation adds an even greater level of authenticity to the video game and further immerses players in the Astro Boy universe.”
Erin Corbett, president of Imagi Studios U.S. and chief marketing officer worldwide, said: “ASTRO BOY: THE VIDEO GAME is a prime representation of the deep and wide-ranging partnerships we have lined up in all major licensing and promotional partner categories. We are pleased to be able to expand the Astro Boy universe along with the fan experience through the film’s video game companion.”
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 rated “E10+” (Everyone 10 and up – Fantasy Violence) and is under development by High Voltage Software. The Nintendo DS version is rated “E” (Everyone – Fantasy Violence) and is under development by Art Co. Ltd.
For more information on ASTRO BOY: THE VIDEO GAME, including game features, screenshots, and videos, please visit: www.AstroBoytheVideogame.com.
About Astro Boy
Imagi Studios is currently in post-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.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Astro Game Voice Talent & Website
Monday, July 13, 2009
Hard to Swallow?
Check out this cool promo image for the English version of Osamu Tezuka's manga "Swallowing the Earth", available now thanks to the fine folks at Digital Manga Publishing. Click for a larger version.
My interest is piqued! It's a very cool ad considering the age of the material. It's about time old-school manga got some play like this!
You can get a copy and help support AstroBoyWorld by clicking on this Amazon link.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Astro Movie @ Comic Con 2009
Here is our first batch of news about how the upcoming CG Animated Astro Boy movie from Imagi will be making an impact at the San Diego Comic Con later this month.
Here are two notable events from the schedule for Thursday July 23rd, which is the first official day of the convention.
10:15 A.M. - 11:15 A.M.: Summit Entertainment: "Astro Boy" (Room 6BCF)Wow, you're going to want to get up early for that! A whole hour panel dedicated to Astro Boy.
* Director David Bowers, producer Maryanne Grager, and stars Freddie Highmore and Kristen Bell debut footage exclusive to Comic-Con 2009 and answer your questions about bringing this beloved hero to the big screen.
And later that day.
1:45 P.M. - 2:45 P.M.: Summit Entertainment (Hall H)*So we have one more trailer to look forward to, and those of you attending in San Diego will get to see it first.
* Join Freddie Highmore and Kristen Bell as they premiere the final trailer for "Astro Boy" before it's in theaters.
I'll be looking into other events related to Astro Boy, Tezuka, and things of common interest soon. If anyone is planning to be there, please contact me. It would be great to have an agent on the scene! Continue reading "Astro Movie @ Comic Con 2009"...
Tezuka's Animated Shorts Coming to DVD!
I'm back, and with some big news!
Kino International has anounced that they will be releasing a DVD containing Osamu Tezuka's experimental animated short films. This is sure to be an incredible opportunity for fans in the US and Canada to finally see and officially own these unique pieces of animation history. Included in the collection are such classics as Jumping, Broken Down Film, and the original Legend of the Forest. A subtitled interview with Tezuka is also included on the disk.
This DVD is set for release on July 28th. Check out all the details on "The Astonishing Work of Tezuka Osamu" on Kino.com and watch a brief trailer with some examples of the animation included in the collection. The link below also has the product description and track listing. Make sure you pre-order, because I can't see this DVD lasting very long once it's released!The Astonishing Work of TEZUKA OSAMU
Known as the “god of manga” and the “father of anime,” Tezuka Osamu (1928 – 1989) has created hundreds of comics, dozens of films, and even some television series (including such internationally beloved shows as “Astro Boy” and “Kimba the White Lion.”) His pioneering, unparalleled career is without rival for its extraordinary range of visual styles.
Included in this set are some of Osamu’s most legendary works, including Pictures at an Exhibition and Legend of the Forest. The former combines 10 individual short vignettes to create stunning visual riffs on classic fine art. But the 30-minute Legend of the Forest is the animator’s masterpiece. An epic of forest faeries, sprites, wizards, and animals defending themselves against greedy industrialists bent on destroying nature, the film stylistically traces the evolution of animation from 19th-century etchings, to Disney and Fleischer cartoons, to contemporary anime. The animation in Legend of the Forest is as ravishing and inventive as anything seen in Disney’s Fantasia.
Kimstim is proud to release this astonishingly imaginative collection of Osamu’s 13 most innovative pieces, many of which are the master’s own personal favorites.
1. Tales of the Street Corner / 1962 / 16:9 / 39:04 / English Subtitles
2. Male / 1962 / 4:3 / 03:09 / English Subtitles
3. Memory / 1964 / 4:3 / 05:40 / English Subtitles
4. Mermaid / 1964 / 4:3 / 08:17 / No Dialog
5. The Drop / 1965 / 4:3 / 04:18 / No Dialog
6. Pictures at an Exhibition / 1966 / 16:9 / 32:56 / No dialog
7. The Genesis / 1968 / 4:3 / 04:02 / English Subtitles / B&W
8. Jumping / 1984 / 4:3 / 06:22 / No Dialog
9. Broken Down Film / 1985 / 4:3 / 05:42 / No Dialog / B&W
10. Push / 1987 / 4:3 / 04:16 / English Subtitles
11. Muramasa / 1987 / 16:9 / 08:42 / No Dialog
12. Legend of the Forest / 1987 / 16:9 / 29:25 / No Dialog
13. Self Portrait / 1988 / 0.13 / No Dialog
Also includes:
Interview with Tezuka / 1986 / 4:3 / 18:19 / English Subtitles
Monday, July 6, 2009
SPOON!
I have nothing to talk about right now and I might not be able to update for the next few days.
So, to tide you over, here are some spoons.
Astro Spoons!
Wish I knew more about these, but the fact that they exist is freaky/cool enough for me.
Friday, July 3, 2009
New Astro Game Screens + Impressions
Wow, that's a lot of bad guys.
Kotaku recently got a close look at the Nintendo Wii version of the upcoming Astro Boy video game, developed by High Voltage Software and published by D3 Publisher. There are plenty of screens and some new impressions of the game, including a little bit about how the game will take advantage of the Wii's unique controller. Make sure you check out Kotaku's Astro Boy Video Game Impressions and see for yourself.
It seems to be shaping up nicely!
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Kristen Bell Winning Hearts
Slice of Sci-Fi has a short interview with actress Kristen Bell, who is well known for her roles in Veronica Mars and Heroes, and will be the voice of Cora in the upcoming animated Astro Boy movie from Imagi.
There is some new information about who exactly Cora is, as well as a revelation that footage of the movie will debut at the San Diego Comic Con later this month.
It's also got a picture of Kristen dressed up as Princess Leia in the gold bikini from the movie Fanboys, which is a nice bonus!
You can read Bell Looks To Win Hearts with “AstroBoy” on SliceOfSciFi.com or by clicking the link below for an archived version right here.Bell Looks To Win Hearts with “AstroBoy”
July 1, 2009 by Michael Hickerson
Already near and dear to the hearts of fanboys everywhere, actress Kristen Bell acknowledges that her new voice-over role in the upcoming big-screen, CGI version of “AstroBoy” could win her even more a legion of new fanboys.
“I play Cora, who is a girl who befriends Astro when he comes down from Metro City onto the surface of Earth,” Bell told SciFi Wire. “She runs a little kind of like Peter Pan group of kids. She’s pretty tough, pretty sassy.”
And despite being a self-professed fan of a lot of genre properties, Bell admits she was a novice when it came to the universe of “AstroBoy.”
“I didn’t know Astro Boy at all, but now I’m immersed and have all the little toys and stuff,” she said.
As for the movie, which will debut some footage at the upcoming San Diego ComicCon, Bell says she’s seen a lot of the movie and that it looks fantastic.
“It looks amazing,” she said. “To be involved in the process is really exciting, because you see the layers that they put on, and you see when they don’t have the 3-D involved and then when they do, and you see when it’s just penciled out. It was a really interesting process.”
Bell is best-known for her work on two television series. She played the title character on “Veronica Mars” and had a recurring role as Elle on “Heroes.” She also starred in the just-released-on-DVD movie “Fanboys” where she memorably dressed up in the famous metal bikini from “Return of the Jedi.”
