Bubblegum is no longer just a chewable treat, it's officially a crisis. Well, it's been a crisis since the 1980s in the form of the much-beloved Japanese anime and manga series "Bubblegum Crisis" -- and that crisis is about to head overseas in a big way.
A live-action feature film adaptation of "Bubblegum Crisis" is officially in the works, says The Hollywood Reporter. Six different production companies are teaming together to bring the movie to life, spearheaded by Singapore's Axxis International -- whose Benjamin Toh will executive produce -- and including Tokyo's Anime International Company, Australia's Arclight Films, Canada's Wizzfilms, China's Infotainment China Media Co. and the U.K.'s Latex International.
According to the Reporter, the film is set for delivery in early 2012 with a $30 million budget. While the involved production companies hail from many different parts of the globe, the movie will showcase English as the primary spoken language amongst cast members, who have yet to be selected.
For the uninitiated, "Bubblegum Crisis" focuses on a futuristic Tokyo that has been literally divided in two by way of an earthquake. In the wake of this new city, a powerful corporation called GENOM begins producing artificial lifeforms called Boomers, which are intended for labor purposes but become quite dangerous when they fall into the wrong hands. The story focuses on a quartet of female Knight Sabers, a mercenary group that uses power armor suits, as they track the Boomers down.
Dark Horse Comics previously published a four-issue miniseries by Adam Warren based on the series.
While cast members have yet to be named, THR notes that there will be two Caucasian and two Asian actresses to play the leading roles of Sylia, Priscilla, Nene and Linna. This calls to mind the similar use of race in "Dragonball Evolution," in which some of the traditionally Asian characters were depicted by American actors, while others stayed true to original form.
Are you excited to see the multinational take on "Bubblegum Crisis," or are you worried that the property will be mishandled? Give us your thoughts in the comments!