astroboy-cgi-1-6729055

#SDCC: Astro Boy Panel

ByKim Kindya

astroboy-cgi-1-6729055A new CG-animated version of the classic manga and anime, “Astro Boy,” created by the “god of manga,” Osamu Tezuka in the 1950’s, debuted clips at Comic-Con 2009. This seminal work about a heroic boy robot was a generation’s first exposure to the Japanese art form when it aired in the U.S. in the 60’s, and is set to hopefully gain a whole new audience.

Director David Bowers, producer Maryann Garger, and stars Freddie
Highmore (Astro) and Kristen Bell (Cora) were there to answer audience questions.

Deb Aoki tweets from the panel:

  • Very
    nice clips from astro boy — saw at least 3 nods to tezuka in the first
    clip
  • Director david bowers: “macoto tezuka will be doing voice of the tezuka character in the japanese version of astro boy movie”
  • Also announced: Samuel l. Jackson, a.k.a. Mr. Comic-con is the voice of zog the junkyard robot in astro boy
  • Actually, this
    was the most positive, enthusiastic response to an astro boy movie
    preview that I’ve seen they’ve started to promo it
  • Nicolas cage,
    the voice of dr. Tenma was not at astro boy movie panel, but was
    described as a passionate Anime & manga fan. 

According to IGN news, Charlize Theron will also be voicing a character in the film.

USA Today has an article about the film, with lots of images.

(UPDATE 8/5: The artwork is early concept art for the movie, newer images (and a bit of an explanation) can be found here.)

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