| Gatchaman | |
|---|---|
| Produced by | Lynne Southerland Tom Gray |
| Written by | 2007 Treatment: Kevin Munroe Paul Dini Screenplay: Robert Mark Kamen Original story: Jinzo Toriumi |
| Studio | Imagi Animation Studios Tatsunoko |
| Distributed by | Warner Bros. Pictures Columbia Pictures The Weinstein Company |
| Release date(s) | 2011 |
| Country | United States Japan Hong Kong |
| Budget | $100 milion |
Gatchaman is an upcoming CGI feature film by Imagi Animation Studios in association with Tatsunoko Production and Warner Bros. Pictures, based on the anime series of the same name and an original story by Jinzo Toriumi. Announced in 2006, it was at first to be written by Paul Dini and Kevin Munroe, with Munroe co-directing with Jun Falkenstein. After initial scriptwork, both Dini and Munroe left the project, with Munroe going to direct Dylan Dog. Robert Mark Kamen was brought in to complete the project. Funding difficulties resulted in numerous missed release dates. The film is currently scheduled for release in 2011.
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After the success of the 1978 film Science Ninja Team Gatchaman: The Movie, which was exclusive to Japan, Imagi began development in 2004 of another Gatchaman film. Producer Tom Gray shared that the Imagi release will differ from the television series and earlier Gatchaman films in that it will have PG-13 rating, possibly pushing toward R.[1]
When plans for a Gatchaman film were first announced in February 2006,[2] it was with an expected 2008 release.[3][4] Kevin Munroe (TMNT) was scheduled to write and direct,[5] with Lynne Southerland (co-director of Mulan 2) as producer,[6] and had begun initial treatment,[7] however, in 2008 Munroe was taken off the project to direct Dylan Dog.[8] Early script treatments were written by Paul Dini,[9] but in the Fall of 2007 he was released from the project.[10] In June 2007 it was announced that Robert Mark Kamen was signed to write the screenplay in preparation for a 2008 release.[11][12]
At the July 2008 Comic-Con Imagi shared a Paul Dini scripted trailer. In August art director Filix Ip began posting screenshots from the tailer. Neil Miller of 'Film School Rejects' wrote "At this point, I was not only forced to give the film a second look, but I was also very intrigued. What is this Gatchaman, and why does it look so damn cool? The answer to the latter question is simple, the folks over at Imagi have some serious game."[13]
In December 2009, auditors reported a "going concern qualification" toward the half-year results posted by Imagi. The company had reported that they were "on course" for release of Astro Boy, but the audit firm felt that "it is uncertain whether the group will have the necessary financial resources to complete" the films Gatchaman, Tusker, and Cat Tale.[14] Then in January 2009, the auditing firm officially announced that the studio lacked funding to complete the release of Tusker, Cat Tale, and Gatchaman,[15] even though Felix Ip had reported that Gatchaman's release was expected later in 2009.[4] In June 2009 Imagi opened Gatchaman to licensing partners and announced a planned 3-D theatrical release for 2011.[15]
In July 2009 at the Anime Expo, Imagi shared another 45 second teaser trailer as scripted by Dini. The trailer did not reveal much of the plot, but acted to allow the first public look at the new 3D characterizations of the main villain Galactor and the Gatchaman team both in and out of costume. The trailer also shared the film's theme with juxtaposed text stating "A world in chaos, an alien evil, a lone warrior is found, earth's last hope, five shall rise, 'Gatchaman.'"[16]
On December 11, 2009, Imagi's Hong Kong based parent company Imagi International Holdings Limited laid off 100 employess.[17], but in January 2010 announced that the Gatchaman project will be "delivered in 100% Stereoscopic 3D", but in order to safeguard working capital it would be closing its United States subsidiaries. The US closure was finalized in late January with the layoff of approximately 30 staffers, and the retaining of a few key personnel who would continue to work as consultants as Imagi seeks $30 million from investors to continue its animation projects.[18][19][20] The parent company laid off another 300 employess in early February 2010, calling the layoffs "temporary" as it seeks new investors.[17]
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