#SDCC: Astro Boy Panel
A 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.)
