The computer-animated feature film based on one of the most popular anime/manga properties in the known universe, "Astro Boy," finally has a North American release date: October 23, 2009.
Summit Entertainment and Imagi Studios made the announcement yesterday evening, stating that the CG-driven film will appear on approximately 3000 screens and be accompanied by the standard fare of toy and fast-food merchandising. This marks the most prominent push the character has received in North America thus far, despite being widely recognized as the property that first brought attention to anime-style animation back in the 1960s. "Astro Boy" was so popular, in fact, that Japan named the character the nation's "envoy for overseas safety" back in November 2007.
The CG-driven film will feature the voices of Nicolas Cage, Donald Sutherland, Kristin Bell, Nathan Lane, Bill Nighy and Eugene Levy, among other prominent names, with Freddie Highmore providing the voice of the film's hero.
For those who aren't up to speed on all things "Astro Boy," Summit offered up the following synopsis of the film: "Set in the future, Imagi Studio’s 'Astro Boy' is a classic superhero origin story about a young robot with incredible powers, created by a brilliant scientist, 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."
According to Imagi President Erin Corbett, “A beloved icon for over half-a-century, this marks Astro Boy’s first time on the big screen, making our film one of the most highly anticipated releases of the year."
While we're excited about the film's debut, it's worth noting that the timing of the "Astro Boy" release makes it likely that we'll be seeing quite a few speedo-and-boots costumes next Halloween. Think about it.
You can find more information about the film -- andthe full text of Summit's announcement -- over at the Summit Entertainment website.
Are you looking forward to seeing "Astro Boy" on the big screen? Were you a fan of any of the iterations of the series in print or on TV?
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