Hong Kong- and Los Angeles-based Imagi Animation Studios has found a distributor for its upcoming CG-animated feature film Astro Boy. Based on Osamu Tezuka’s classic manga and anime property, the family flick has been picked up by Summit Ent. for worldwide distribution outside of Japan, Hong Kong and China, where the rollout will be handled by Imagi. The movie is slated for release in 2009 and will feature the voices of Freddie Highmore, Nicolas Cage, Donald Sutherland, Nathan Lane, Bill Nighy and Eugene Levy.
David Bowers (Flushed Away) is directing Astro Boy from a screenplay by Timothy Harris. Set in futuristic Metro City, the movie will tell the tale of a powerful young robot that a brilliant scientist created in the image of the son he lost. Unable to fulfill the grieving man’s expectations, our metalic hero embarks on a journey in search of acceptance, experiencing betrayal and a netherworld of robot gladiators before returning to save Metro City and reconcile with the father.
Imagi is hoping Astro Boy is received as well as its first animated theatrical effort, TMNT. Marking the return of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, the modestly budgeted production opened in the No. 1 spot at the North American Box Office in March of 2007 and went on to gross more than $95 million worldwide. The studio is also producing a toon feature based on the 1970s anime series Gatchaman, with TMNT director Kevin Munroe helming for a 2009 release as well.
Astro Boy is the second animated film to be picked up by Summit. The company will handle the Aug. 8, 2008 launch of nWave Pictures’ and Illuminata Pictures’ 3-D family film Fly Me to the Moon.
