News

Astro Boy Gets Release Date

The U.S. feature adaptation of Astro Boy, the 1960s Japanese cartoon, is back in production after a brief hiatus and has been assigned a release date of October 23. The project was temporarily suspended last month due to financial issues experienced by Imagi Entertainment. The company has called its staffers back to work on the project, despite having suspended their employment while funding was sought. The cartoon revolved around a robot boy and his scientist father and was a huge hit in Japan from 1963 through 1966.

Production on Astro Boy was forced to be temporarily shut down while Imagi secured a final round of funding for its domestic operations. The $25 million in financing came through for the film, which boasts an impressive voice cast that includes Nicolas Cage, Kristen Bell, Donald Sutherland, and Freddie Highmore. Summit Entertainment is handling U.S. distribution.

Now that Imagi has secured the necessary funding, it will continue to develop other properties, including Gatchaman and Tusker.

—The ARTISTdirect Staff
03.17.09