by the fans for the fans

Imagi Animation Studios announced this week that it
will co-produce with Tatsunoko Production a feature-length CG animated film version of Tatsunoko’s popular TV anime series, SCIENCE NINJA TEAM GATCHAMAN. Originally produced in 1972, KAGAKU NINJA TAI GATCHAMAN was in many ways the forefather of the live action Super Sentai genre (known in the US as POWER RANGERS), and GATCHAMAN and its sequels were later made popular worldwide through English adaptations such as BATTLE OF THE PLANETS, G-FORCE and EAGLE RIDERS (originally Gatchaman’s sequel series, GATCHAMAN II). Gatchaman made its first big screen debut in 1978 with a feature comprised of key episodes from the series and a new orchestral soundtrack, similar to Office Academy’s 1977 release, SPACE BATTLESHIP YAMATO (Uchu Senkan Yamato). More recently, Gatchaman has been undergoing a revival in popularity due in no small part to ADV Film’s release of the original and re-mastered episodes of the series on DVD in the U.S.

The original Gatchaman series followed the adventures of a team of 5 young superheroes who worked on behalf of the U.N.’s International Science Organization to protect earth’s environment and resources against the villainous terrorist organization Galactor, lead by Berg Katse, and their beast-like machines and biological weapons. According to Imagi’s CEO and Vice Chairman Francis Kao, the new film, scheduled for a 2008 release, will still feature the five caped heroes — Ken, Joe, Jun, Jinpei and Ryu — but it will be based on a “completely new and exhilarating story” and the characters “redesigned with a fresh look”.

Gatchaman 2008 will be helmed by writer/director Kevin Munroe, who is currently working on another Imagi project, The Weinstein Company’s all-CG Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles film scheduled for March 2007. “Growing up as a kid, Gatchaman was the first influence that pushed me into the world of animation, comics and writing,” Munroe is quoted in the press release. “I’m absolutely thrilled to get the chance to bring the high-flying adventures of Gatchaman to the big screen the way they were always meant to be - huge action mixed with the real human drama that arises when five teenagers must become the heroes of an entire planet. “Gatchaman” is a great next step after “TMNT”, not only personally in terms of storytelling and visual scope, but also for Imagi as a production company… Gatchaman is going to be huge, and I couldn’t be happier to be a part of it. It’s literally a childhood dream come true.”

Enjoy the news!!!

Saludos Lobi

Some pics of the work in progress






Sources links: SciFi Japan.com | IMAGI.com


Saludos Lobi

i have forgotten about this project.

but i like the illustrations.

thanxz lobi

nice to see another series hit the big screen, please tell me that christina ricci is NOT going to be in this one...........
Just hope this movie will have an active fanbase, or it might go the way of speed racer.....

Ive never seen gatcha man but i have been eyeing out to buy the adv dvds. I love the intro song. but i surely cant wait till i see it then the movie!


leela1977 what did you mean about the speed racer thing??

my comment about speed racer was the budget was hugh the attendance for the movie was lousy, was barely in the theatres for three weeks, and didn't really draw the old fans as the script was to predictable before the movie started.
Mine you, if it wasn't for me, i really don't think my local theatre would have shown it for three weeks, I saw the movie more than 5 times. two of the airings i was one of 5 people in the room.
and this was at the morning airings (ie 10:45/11am)on the weekends.
hoping gatchaman can do better than speed.
funny thing thou, gatchaman seems to have a fan writing torchwood books, saw the name mentioned.

More pics of the work in progress

The new Gatchaman logo



The Utoland, Joe's muscle car at the left corner



Car chase sence of Joe



Galactor invade ISO



Sources links: Felix Ip blog | IMAGI.com

Who is Felix Ip?
Illustrator, Art Director, Concept artist, Creative Director of Imagi Studio

Enjoy the news!!!

Saludos Lobi

This is the first glimpse of the new cgi gatchaman movie.



Enjoy it!!!


Saludos Lobi

More new stills for the wor in progress


Attack over Utoland

Exterior ISO

Ready for the action

Meteor

Utoland


Saludos Lobi

pretty cool, although the stills look more like they're from a video game