GUNDAM to become live-action Netflix film
Jordan Vogt-Roberts has been set to direct and produce Legendary’s first-ever live-action feature film version of Sunrise’s GUNDAM for Netflix.
live action anime
Mankind To Battle Mutant Cockaroaches On Mars In Miike Takashi’s Live-Action TERRA FORMARS Movie
Japanese film auteur Miike Takashi (Crows, Yatterman, Ichi The Killer) is still on par to release his latest self-described return to form with the upcoming action horror, Yakuza Apocalypse. Obviously based on the most recent teaser, such a film will delve into the usual gonzo array of gory imagery and wackiness to accomdate the creative vision planned here, but that’s Miike for you, and to suggest there’s a limit to his style would be the equivalent of expecting gravity to work in outer space, which reminds me…
Terra Formars (テラフォーマーズ) is a 2011 Japanese sci-fi manga written by Yū Sasuga and illustrated by Kenichi Tachibana. The story follows that in an attempt to colonize Mars, 21st century humanity first sought to terra form the planet by sending modified algae to change the planets atmosphere. Cockroaches were cleverly used as the method to transport the algae across the planet. Five hundred years later, the first humans descended upon Mars to see if the terra forming experiment was successful. What greeted them were giant, mutated cockroaches who possessed immense strength. The landing party was completely wiped out but not before sending a warning back to Earth. Decades later, (and with a mysterious illness sweeping Earth that may have connections to the terra forming experiment) another expedition is launched but this time, the passengers have had their DNA grafted with other bugs and animals which has bestowed them with increased strength and durability. Now, this new expedition must get to the bottom of the mysterious illness and the true catalyst behind this astounding evolution.
Such is the current description (via Blastr) of Miike‘s new project now in the form of the live-action manga installment, Terra Formars, based on Shueisha’s 2011 publication by sci-fi manga authors Tachibana Kenichi & Sasuga Yū. The franchise has already built itself a following both in-print and on the small screen through original video animes as as one of the more highly rated properties as of late. Readers in North America can find the manga available via Viz Media as more info about the film should come.
In the meantime… going from battling Yakuza vampires to hunting down giant humanoid cockaroaches on Mars huh Miike? …hmmk cool.
H/T: ANN
ASTRO BOY Is Gearing Up For A Live-Action Return To The Big Screen
Late animator and author Tezuka Osamu’s Astro Boy has seen many a take on the title character spanning several movies, shows and books sixty years since its creation Kodansha publication. A 2009 CGI animated film came from Summit Entertainment and didn’t exactly bode well for American audiences, although now the effort is being revamped for a live-action franchise.
Based on the classic story, the film centers on a robotic boy, built in the image of his creators deceased son, who is abandoned and taken under by a new scientist who enhances him with special abilities to use to fight crime. THR brings the word that Australian production house, Animal Logic, known largey for its VFX work on projects like X-Men: Days Of Future Past, 300, The Matrix, The LEGO Moive and the upcoming Avengers: Age Of Ultron, is teaming up with Tezuka Productions to create a four-film franchise suited for today’s comic book movie audience.
The production is in search of a screenwriter with no director attached just yet. In the meantime, it’s been a while Hollywood became the ire of many a fan of Japanese content and we’ve seen some improvements thusfar in films like Edge Of Tomorrow. Yes, the forthcoming Ghost In The Shell movie has its own issues, but hopefully this will be an upward trend that sees the ascension and improvement of how we observe Japanese novels and animes.
How do you feel about a live-action Astro Boy? Comment below or on our Facebook page!
H/T: ComingSoon.net
WB's Live-Action ROBOTECH Is Back From Limbo, Andy Muschetti Sought To Direct
Aside from all the Transformers and Pacific Rim fanfare with live-action Patlabor plans taking effect in Japan, at least one other giant robot movie vehicle has been in the works for sometime now. 1985 was the year that Harmony Gold USA and Tatsunoko Productions saw the release of the animated epic science fiction action adventure series, Robotech, recycled from three earlier Japanese animated properties and distributed to the U.S. as a unique little series of its own.
AKIRA Creator Announces His Own Push For Live-Action Treatment
Contrary to how some may feel, Hollywood adaptations of Japanese properties have long been the ire of many hardcore fans heavily active in manga and anime lore. Such has largely been the case for filmmaker, author and writer Otomo Katsuhiro whose 1982 cyberpunk action manga epic from Kodansha, Akira, has received its recent accolades more so in the world of independent film than anything, on top of its thirty-year popularity.
Accordingly, you would think that twelve years would be more than enough for Warner Bros. to see the development and production of its own take on the popular manga/anime, now with uncredited Edge Of Tomorrow scribe Dante Harper providing a script for Non-Stop helmer Jaume Collet-Serra to direct. Well, that last update was over the summer, and it’s likely that fans are just passing the time to see what comes without too much anticipation at that.
However, if you’re waiting for the possibility of Japan getting a foothold on transitioning Otomo‘s work to live-action, then you may be in luck. By way of reports forwarded from French media through ANN, Otomo announced his own efforts for a live-action work-up during a ceremony in France where he was promoted to Officer nine years after after being knighted in the French Order of Arts and Letters back in 2005.
Proceeded by its feature-length anime in 1988, Akira centers on a post-apocalyptic future in the city of Neo-Tokyo where two childhood friends, Kaneda and Tetsuo, find themselves in the throes of government corruption and secrecy in a series of events that could endanger Tetsuo’s life, and in turn, millions more. Akira is long considered a staple of Japanese science fiction, cyberpunk and action entertainment culture, in addition to adding to much of Otomo‘s acclaim as one of the most prolific innovators in the world of film and entertainment.
So yeah, it’s easy to see why fans might prefer Otomo at the helm instead, and just as understandable. Twelve years, Warner? Give us something!
French Indie Short Project DRAGON BALL Z: THE FALL OF MEN Gets A Fiery New Teaser!
Fan fare over the success of manga author Akira Toriyama’s classic property, Dragon Ball Z is unyielding, and has inspired plenty of artists over the years to pursue their own vision in the universe in a way that would entertain fans. On this end, leave it to the likes of Normandy-based film school graduate and independent filmmaker Yohan Faure, and art director Vianney Griffon, who began showing for their efforts in a test teaser they accompanied with a push on Indiegogo last year to get things started, and unfortnately those efforts came short.
So what’s the big deal? Well, the big deal happens to be that somehow they’ve managed to get the engine running. And, not only is the upcoming short fan film in post production, but according to my source – the project’s featured stunt performer, stunt double and fight choreographer Anthony Pho, the shortfilm is also poised for a 3D presentation for its climactic final fight scene. And this is an indie project we’re talking, which is pretty rare. But with the awesome nature of the Dragon Ball universe, if you were a filmmaker and wanted to present a product that would succeed in turning heads with a small 3D ornamentation as a plus, then if the new official teaser below is any indication, you’re coming pretty damn close.
“The world is not like it is supposed to be, something happened in the course of time…”
With these words Trunks wakes up in the middle of a ruined city. He then remembers the loss of his friends, his preparation to fight Cell, even though he knows he might not be strong enough, he will still try to make a difference.
“The Fall of Men” is born from our desire to tell the DRAGON BALL Z story in a more realistic and dramatic way. Set in a different future than the canon, this untold story focuses on the son of VEGETA who tries to save the Earth against the infamous CELL.
Dragon Ball Z: The Fall Of Men has a Facebook that could use your attention between now and its release sometime next year. So, feel free to watch the trailer below and head over to the Facebook page and follow where this goes.
UPDATE – 7/12/14 – 7:00am EST: A previous version of this article stated the entire shortfilm was getting a 3D conversion. That detail has since been corrected.
Look At This Big Batch Of RUROUNI KENSHIN Sequel Promo Images!
August 1 can’t come fast enough for moviegoers in Japan ahead of the release of director Keishi Otomo‘s new sequels to the 2012 smash hit, Rurouni Kenshin.
Several posters, pictures and a few trailers have already gone viral for the upcoming release of Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno and the September 13 release of Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends. However, if that is not enough, the highly anticipated movies are being graced with a ton-and-a-half of promotional artwork, including six new character posters featuring Takeru Satoh reprising his role, along with Emi Takei, Yosuke Eguchi, Ryunosuke Kamiki, Yusuke Iseya and Tatsuya Fujiwara. The images come courtesy the official Facebook page for the sequels, and readers of Comic Book Movie.
Click each photo for larger viewing, and stay tuned for more info!
TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES Unshells Four New Character Posters And Trailer
Aside from anything revelant to the etymology of the character from the original comics by creators Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird, director Jonathan Liebesman‘s forthcoming iteration of the classic villain in his new film, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, will center on actor William Fichtner‘s portrayal of Eric Sachs, a doctor who apparently worked with reporter April O’Neil’s father to, as he puts it, “create heroes”. Evidently at some point, every hero needs a villain, and somehow Sachs becomes the monstrous incarnation we now see in the new photo above, and in addition to a brand new trailer and character posters as of this week.
SYNOPSIS:
The city needs heroes. Darkness has settled over New York City as Shredder and his evil Foot Clan have an iron grip on everything from the police to the politicians. The future is grim until four unlikely outcast brothers rise from the sewers and discover their destiny as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. The Turtles must work with fearless reporter April and her wise-cracking cameraman Vern Fenwick to save the city and unravel Shredder’s diabolical plan.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles releases nationwide on August 8 and stars actress Megan Fox as April O’Neil and actor Will Arnett as Vernon Fenwick, with principle respective performances of characters Splinter, Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello and Raphael by actors Danny Woodburn accompanied by the voice of Tony Shahloub, Pete Plozek with the voice of Johnny Knoxville, and actors Noel Fisher, Jeremy Howard and Alan Ritchson.
The New Teaser For TOKYO TRIBE Brings An Orchestra Of Chaos!
Why Don’t You Play In Hell director Sono Sion is back in the fray this week ahead of the upcoming release of his latest beat-em-up gangster flick, Tokyo Tribe, based on manga author Santa Inoue’s 1993 publication and subsequent serial anime. Following the first promotional still released several days ago, we now get to see some of the brutal live-action chaos set to dazzle audiences in the form of a glorious new teaser with hip hop artist Young Dais leading in his big screen debut, along with Ryuta Sato, Nana Seino, Ryohei Suzuki, Shoko Nakagawa and Riki Takeuchi.
Tokyo Tribe releases in Japan on August 30.
SYNOPSIS:
Set sometime in the future, five years have passed since the Shibuya riots. There are now several tribes that exists in Tokyo. Boys makeup tribes and they occupy areas under their influence. Kai Deguchi is a member of the tribe Musashino Saru led by Tera.
One day, a member of Musashino Saru is killed by rival tribe Bukuro Wu-RONZ led by Mera. Kai and Mera are former best friends, but not anymore. Meanwhile, Tera, the leader of Musashino Saru and a moderate who forbids using violence, is killed by Mera from Bukuro Wu-RONZ.
Musashino Saru is now divided by two sides: one advocates following their slain leader’s non-violence idealogy and the other side who wants to use violence to exact revenge. A riot soon ensues among the tribes.
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