Imagi Restarts Astro Boy Production
David Bowers, Imagi Brings Osamu Tezuka Manga To Cinemas
Feb 25, 2009
Imagi Animation has found the necessary financing to bring their CGI adaptation of Astro Boy to the silver screen.
According to Variety, Imagi scored $25 million in financing after they were forced to suspend production of the film last month. The cash also means that the studio will also keep on developing their Gatchaman and Tusker feature film projects.
The studio's US president, Erin Corbett, told Variety that Imagi called back all but 23 of the 100 animators laid off at its Sherman Oaks location in order to complete the flick.
Imagi reportedly raised the cash by tapping existing investors for more funds, in addition to courting new sources of income.
Imagi also admitted that Francis Kao, son of the company's founder, has resigned as chairman to devote more time to his other job as chief creative officer. Richard Witts – who has over 35 years of experience in Asia including management posts with the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, Schroder Securities, United Mok Ying Kie and CLSA – will take over as chairman.
Corbett says that the company is confident that the movie will put the company back on track: "We are thrilled by the incredible response to Astro Boy's early film footage and stills."
However, Steve Hulett – the business rep for The Animation Guild Local 839 (IATSE) – doesn't share Corbett's sunny optimism.
"I spent the afternoon at Imagi in Sherman Oaks, and to keep folks up to date, about 40-50% of the staff is back at work as of today," he wrote in his blog on February 23rd. "As one of the freshly returned artists said to me: 'The company seems to be working to make things right, but if it doesn't come through on its promises, I won't be around here long ...'"
Astro Boy Stars Freddie Highmore, Nicolas Cage, Bill Nighy
The film is based on the classic cartoon character created in 1951 by Osamu Tezuka, called 'the god of manga.' Since its inception, the little robot boy has become an institution in Asia, at times rivaling Disney's Mickey Mouse in terms of sheer popularity.
Here's the synopsis for Imagi's Astro Boy movie, courtesy of IMDb:
"Set in futuristic Metro City, Astro Boy is about a young robot with incredible powers created by a brilliant scientist in the image of the son he has lost. Unable to fulfill the grieving man's expectations, our hero embarks on a journey in search of acceptance, experiencing betrayal and a netherworld of robot gladiators, before he returns to save Metro City and reconcile with the father who had rejected him."
Actors Nicolas Cage (National Treasure: Book of Secrets), Donald Sutherland (Fools' Gold), Nathan Lane (The Producers), Bill Nighy (Shawn of the Dead) and Eugene Levy (Best in Show) have signed up to voice roles in Astro Boy. They join Freddie Highmore (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) as the voice of the titular robot.
David Bowers (Flushed Away) is directing from a scipt written by Timothy Harris (Kindergarten Cop).
Astro Boy comes out October 23rd.
 |
