Exclusive: Famed comic book creator and New York Times bestselling author Brian K. Vaughan has signed on to write the screenplay for Gundam, the first live-action film based on the popular Mecha anime and science fiction media franchise created by Sunrise. The project hails from Legendary Entertainment, in a co-production with Sunrise. Vaughan, best known for creating comic book series like Y: The Last Man, Ex Machina, and Runaways, will also serve as an executive producer on the pic.
Next month marks the 40th anniversary of Mobile Suit Gundam, the mecha anime series that launched the Gundam success story as both a media and toy franchise. That 1979 series, created and directed by Yoshiyuki Tomino, was a middling success when first aired but then won over an impassioned fan following through reruns and a popular tie-in toy line.
Tomino’s animated saga was part of the mecha genre, the sci-fi subgenre...
Next month marks the 40th anniversary of Mobile Suit Gundam, the mecha anime series that launched the Gundam success story as both a media and toy franchise. That 1979 series, created and directed by Yoshiyuki Tomino, was a middling success when first aired but then won over an impassioned fan following through reruns and a popular tie-in toy line.
Tomino’s animated saga was part of the mecha genre, the sci-fi subgenre...
- 3/6/2019
- by Amanda N'Duka and Geoff Boucher
- Deadline Film + TV
The first wave of anime to arrive in America was usually found in syndication, filler in the mornings and afternoons for the off-network stations in the New York area. It all started with Astro Boy but was quickly followed by Eighth Man and Gigantor, Kimba the White Lion to the Amazing Three. And then there was Marine Boy, the first of the color animated series to be broadcast in America. In his native Japan, the name translated to Undersea Boy Marine and was therefore Americanized.
Produced by Minoru Adachi and Japan Tele-Cartoons, there were 78 episodes in total and the first season or 26 episodes, have now been collected by Warner Archive, which is fitting since Warner was the company to distribute the series back in the 1960s.
Sometime in the future, there lived a boy, maybe 15, remarkable enough to serve as a full-fledged agent of the Ocean Patrol. Their mission was...
Produced by Minoru Adachi and Japan Tele-Cartoons, there were 78 episodes in total and the first season or 26 episodes, have now been collected by Warner Archive, which is fitting since Warner was the company to distribute the series back in the 1960s.
Sometime in the future, there lived a boy, maybe 15, remarkable enough to serve as a full-fledged agent of the Ocean Patrol. Their mission was...
- 9/2/2013
- by Robert Greenberger
- Comicmix.com
One of the films that fans of action and sci-fi films are looking forward to in 2013 is Guillermo del Toro’s upcoming movie Pacific Rim, which chronicles the efforts of human-operated robots defending Earth against monsters from the deep. It’s a big budget action romp that pays tribute to Japanese sci-fi.
The Plot of Pacific Rim is described as follows: “When legions of monstrous creatures, known as Kaiju, start rising from the sea, a war begins that will take millions of lives and consume humanity’s resources for years on end. To combat the giant Kaiju, a special type of weapon is devised: massive robots, called Jaegers, which are controlled simultaneously by two pilots whose minds are locked in a neural bridge. But even the Jaegers are proving nearly defenseless in the face of the relentless Kaiju. On the verge of defeat, the forces defending mankind have no choice...
The Plot of Pacific Rim is described as follows: “When legions of monstrous creatures, known as Kaiju, start rising from the sea, a war begins that will take millions of lives and consume humanity’s resources for years on end. To combat the giant Kaiju, a special type of weapon is devised: massive robots, called Jaegers, which are controlled simultaneously by two pilots whose minds are locked in a neural bridge. But even the Jaegers are proving nearly defenseless in the face of the relentless Kaiju. On the verge of defeat, the forces defending mankind have no choice...
- 2/26/2013
- by feeds@cinelinx.com (Rob Young)
- Cinelinx
There’s no doubt that competition to land the big directing jobs in Hollywood is fierce in this economy. Director Bryan Barber (Idlewild) has decided to take a more proactive approach and is now bringing a project that fits right into the context of Transformers and Real Steel to the studios.
Deadline reports that Barber wants to bring Gigantor, the 1960’s Japanese cartoon import, back to the silver screen for new generations of children to enjoy. Barber grew up watching Gigantor and tracked down the rights to Fred Ladd, an 86-year old voice-over artist. After a long courtship with Ladd, a detailed storyboard presentation sold the project to Ladd. Barber now controls the movie, merchandise and videogame rights to Gigantor and will, of course, direct the film.
Barber describes his Gigantor to be “Transformers meets Goonies:”
“There’s a film here that doesn’t take itself too seriously, with heart and visual effects,...
Deadline reports that Barber wants to bring Gigantor, the 1960’s Japanese cartoon import, back to the silver screen for new generations of children to enjoy. Barber grew up watching Gigantor and tracked down the rights to Fred Ladd, an 86-year old voice-over artist. After a long courtship with Ladd, a detailed storyboard presentation sold the project to Ladd. Barber now controls the movie, merchandise and videogame rights to Gigantor and will, of course, direct the film.
Barber describes his Gigantor to be “Transformers meets Goonies:”
“There’s a film here that doesn’t take itself too seriously, with heart and visual effects,...
- 10/24/2011
- by Lillian 'zenbitch' Standefer
- ScifiMafia
This is kind of a funny story whether you know what a 'Gigantor' is or not. Deadline reports that director Bryan Barber is so fed up with losing out on directing jobs that he has bought the rights to 'Gigantor' from an elderly man, and is placing himself at the helm of a $60 million live-action adaptation. He's being smart with the live-action approach. The animated robot route didn't play out very well for the similarly themed 2009 film, 'Astro Boy.' As for 'Gigantor,' it's a nothing story about a superhero-like (and gigantic) robot who combats various threats such as aliens and criminals. But in an industry that is currently enchanted with robots in general, giant robot rights are a good thing to be holding. Barber calls his vision for the film "'Transformers' meets 'Goonies.'"With very little to his name as a director besides the crime/musical,...
- 10/21/2011
- LRMonline.com
Director Bryan Barber has taken control of his own destiny with next project in Gigantor. Deadline reports that the video director-turned film director of 2006's Idlewild has secured movie, merchandise and video game rights to the family-friendly film about the giant flying robot. The deal came together after courting the 86-year old voiceover artist who controlled the rights. With all the Transformers news this week and the very likely Real Steel sequel on the horizon this project sounds good to me. The story focuses on "a 12-year old boy who ends up with the controls to the giant weaponized world-saving robot."
Idelewild was not a financial hit at the box office, and as a result the offers Barber received were more art house instead of the blockbuster movies he wants to direct. Here is what he had to say about his choice to pursue Gigantor:
“Shortly after my film came out,...
Idelewild was not a financial hit at the box office, and as a result the offers Barber received were more art house instead of the blockbuster movies he wants to direct. Here is what he had to say about his choice to pursue Gigantor:
“Shortly after my film came out,...
- 10/21/2011
- by Tiberius
- GeekTyrant
Cynopsis reports that Peter Fernandez, best known as the American voice of the title character in the Speed Racer television series from the 1960s, died last Thursday from lung cancer. He was 83.
Peter also was the voice for Speed's brother Racer X and other characters for the Japanese anime series that was dubbed in English. He voiced other characters for Lupin III, Astro Boy, Gigantor and Marine Boy. Additionally, Peter made a cameo appearance in the Warner Bros.' 2008 live-action Speed Racer film.
Born in New York City, Fernandez started as a child model for the John Robert Power Agency. He then appeared on both radio and Broadway until he was drafted into the Army at age 18, late in World War II. His radio appearances included roles on "Superman", "Mr. District Attorney", "Let's Pretend", "Gangbusters", "My Best Girls", and "Suspense", as well as on many soap operas. After his discharge...
Peter also was the voice for Speed's brother Racer X and other characters for the Japanese anime series that was dubbed in English. He voiced other characters for Lupin III, Astro Boy, Gigantor and Marine Boy. Additionally, Peter made a cameo appearance in the Warner Bros.' 2008 live-action Speed Racer film.
Born in New York City, Fernandez started as a child model for the John Robert Power Agency. He then appeared on both radio and Broadway until he was drafted into the Army at age 18, late in World War II. His radio appearances included roles on "Superman", "Mr. District Attorney", "Let's Pretend", "Gangbusters", "My Best Girls", and "Suspense", as well as on many soap operas. After his discharge...
- 7/19/2010
- by Glenn Hauman
- Comicmix.com
Child Broadway star and celebrated American voiceover actor Peter Fernandez has lost his battle with lung cancer. He was 83.
Fernandez died at his home in Pomona, New York on Thursday.
He appeared in Broadway play Whiteoaks when he was 11 and went on to act on children’s radio shows.
However, he was perhaps best-known for providing the voice of the title character in hit U.S. 1960's animated TV series Speed Racer, an adaptation of Japanese anime series Mach Go Go Go.
He also provided the voice of the title character's brother Racer X, wrote the American lyrics for the show’s theme song and directed the dubbing cast.
His voice can be heard in other titles including Astro Boy, Gigantor, Marine Boy, Star Blazers: The Bolar Wars and Superbook.
In 2008, he made a cameo appearance as an announcer in the live-action Speed Racer film.
Fernandez is survived by his wife, Noel Smith, three children, nine grandchildren, a sister and a brother.
Fernandez died at his home in Pomona, New York on Thursday.
He appeared in Broadway play Whiteoaks when he was 11 and went on to act on children’s radio shows.
However, he was perhaps best-known for providing the voice of the title character in hit U.S. 1960's animated TV series Speed Racer, an adaptation of Japanese anime series Mach Go Go Go.
He also provided the voice of the title character's brother Racer X, wrote the American lyrics for the show’s theme song and directed the dubbing cast.
His voice can be heard in other titles including Astro Boy, Gigantor, Marine Boy, Star Blazers: The Bolar Wars and Superbook.
In 2008, he made a cameo appearance as an announcer in the live-action Speed Racer film.
Fernandez is survived by his wife, Noel Smith, three children, nine grandchildren, a sister and a brother.
- 7/18/2010
- WENN
Speed Racer has been silenced. Peter Fernandez, who voiced the iconic character in the American import of the 1960s Japanese cartoon and who also wrote the lyrics to the indelible theme song, has died. He succumbed to lung cancer at 83, according to the Anime News Network. Aside from Speed, Fernandez also voiced Racer X and miscellaneous minor characters on the high-octane toon. He also lent his pipes to key parts in the English-language versions of Astro Boy, Ultraman, Gigantor and Star Blazers. The Wachowski brothers even gave him a cameo in their 2008 live-action remake. Rest in peace.
- 7/16/2010
- E! Online
Peter Fernandez, who voiced the title character in the 1960s animated "Speed Racer" TV series, died Thursday of lung cancer. He was 83.
Fernandez also provided the voices for Speed's brother Racer X and several other characters in the English-dubbed adaptation of Tatsunoko's "Mach Go Go Go" series, according to the Anime News Network. He directed the voice cast and wrote the lyrics to the signature theme song ("Go Speed Racer, Go!") as well.
Fernandez later played Lupin III, Daisuke Jigen and President Jimmy Carter in the Jal dubbing of the "Lupin III: The Secret of Mamo" (1978). His voice also can be heard in such dubbed anime titles as "Astro Boy," "Gigantor" and "Marine Boy," and he made a cameo appearance in the 2008 live-action "Speed Racer" film from Warner Bros.
Fernandez appeared in the 1949 film "Cry Across the RIver" and in the early TV series "Captain Video and His Video Rangers.
Fernandez also provided the voices for Speed's brother Racer X and several other characters in the English-dubbed adaptation of Tatsunoko's "Mach Go Go Go" series, according to the Anime News Network. He directed the voice cast and wrote the lyrics to the signature theme song ("Go Speed Racer, Go!") as well.
Fernandez later played Lupin III, Daisuke Jigen and President Jimmy Carter in the Jal dubbing of the "Lupin III: The Secret of Mamo" (1978). His voice also can be heard in such dubbed anime titles as "Astro Boy," "Gigantor" and "Marine Boy," and he made a cameo appearance in the 2008 live-action "Speed Racer" film from Warner Bros.
Fernandez appeared in the 1949 film "Cry Across the RIver" and in the early TV series "Captain Video and His Video Rangers.
- 7/15/2010
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Mamoru Oshii isn’t wasting any time before starting on his next project. The acclaimed director has announced he’ll start work on a film adaptation of Mitsuteru Yokoyama's “Tetsujin 28-go,” a manga from the late 50’s and early 60’s which was adapted in the late 60’s as the anime “Gigantor.”
This isn’t Oshii’s first go at the material. Earlier this year he directed a stage play which featured an 1,100 pound, 20 foot tall replica of the titular robot (that would have been a site to see!). Oshii’s live-action version of the story is likely to be a spectacle en-par with that stage rendition but I must admit I wouldn’t be adverse to an animated version of the story, especially coming from Oshii.
To confuse matters a tad, there’s a second project on the go based on this manga. T28 is being produced by Hikari Productions and Imagi Entertainment.
This isn’t Oshii’s first go at the material. Earlier this year he directed a stage play which featured an 1,100 pound, 20 foot tall replica of the titular robot (that would have been a site to see!). Oshii’s live-action version of the story is likely to be a spectacle en-par with that stage rendition but I must admit I wouldn’t be adverse to an animated version of the story, especially coming from Oshii.
To confuse matters a tad, there’s a second project on the go based on this manga. T28 is being produced by Hikari Productions and Imagi Entertainment.
- 12/28/2009
- QuietEarth.us
I think that we should first of all indulge in a little primer on Tesujin 28-go aka Gigantor, my favourite giant robot of all - because, yes, I do like some giant robots, honest. Created in the mid-50s as a Manga series, Tetsujin 28-go tells the story of a three-storey tall robot invented to help fight on behalf of Japan in World War 2. By the time the robot is perfected - which is after 27 failed builds, if you couldn't guess - the war is actually over and so there's nothing else to do but... er... give the remote controlled weapon-bot to a ten year old boy. Don't ask me, I'm only passing this along - it was Mitsuteru Yokoyama that actually baked it all up in the first place. Luckily, this young lad doesn't use the robot the way I think many kids would (you'd have to see...
- 12/28/2009
- by Brendon Connelly
- Slash Film
Seems like director Mamoru Oshii has regained his love for live-action during his work on his latest film Assault Girls. According to Ann, director of titles Ghost in the Shell, The Sky Crawlers and Avalon revealed in Tokyo during a press conference for Assault Girls that his next film will be a live-action adaptation of Mitsuteru Yokoyama’s classic manga Tetsujin 28 (aka Gigantor).
Imagi Studios are currently working on a CG anime adaptation of the manga named T28, which will (according to IMDb) open in theaters in 2011. Oshii didn’t mention any dates in his announcement, but since he already directed a stage play version of Tetsujin 28-gō featuring a 500kg replica of the giant robot in January I guess we won’t have to wait too long.
Imagi Studios are currently working on a CG anime adaptation of the manga named T28, which will (according to IMDb) open in theaters in 2011. Oshii didn’t mention any dates in his announcement, but since he already directed a stage play version of Tetsujin 28-gō featuring a 500kg replica of the giant robot in January I guess we won’t have to wait too long.
- 12/27/2009
- by Ulrik
- Affenheimtheater
Gigantor was a Japanese cartoon that aired in the U.S. in the mid sixties, ten years after its original release in Japan. The show chronicles the adventures of 12-year old Jimmy Sparks who has been given the remote control to the giant robot Gigantor, which was built by his Uncle, Dr. Bob Brilliant, to prevent war and stop crime. The cartoon was brought over after the successful translation of the Japanese cartoon Astro Boy. These “Pre-Anime” cartoons paved the way for the proliferation of anime in the United States later on. These shows are reminiscent of American cartoons from the same period, but feature early versions of the visual motifs and storytelling elements that would become standards for anime in the future.
In certain ways Gigantor paved the way for most of the Japanese animation we see today. First and foremost, Gigantor is one the first anime series about giant robots,...
In certain ways Gigantor paved the way for most of the Japanese animation we see today. First and foremost, Gigantor is one the first anime series about giant robots,...
- 9/30/2009
- by Michael Epstein
- JustPressPlay.net
I'm not trying to stir up hate or anything, but when a country builds two giant robots in one year, I'm allowed to be paranoid. Not long after Tokyo finished the life-size Gundam project, now Kobe is doing the same for their Wakamatsu Park with a full scale statue of Tetsujin 28-go, better known in the Us as Gigantor.
Unlike the Gundam statue, this one is meant to be a permanent tourist attraction for Kobe. It stands 60-feet tall, weighs 50 tons and is expected to finish construction in September, which, what a coincidence, is the same month I plan to buy a fallout shelter.
{youtube}h8P33ohPhXc{/youtube}
Created by one of Kobe's most famous native son, manga-ka Mitsuteru Yokoyama in 1956, Tetsujin 28-go (literally means Iron Man #28) is noted for being the first ever "giant robot" comic book. A popular black-and-white anime adaptation was made in 1963. It...
Unlike the Gundam statue, this one is meant to be a permanent tourist attraction for Kobe. It stands 60-feet tall, weighs 50 tons and is expected to finish construction in September, which, what a coincidence, is the same month I plan to buy a fallout shelter.
{youtube}h8P33ohPhXc{/youtube}
Created by one of Kobe's most famous native son, manga-ka Mitsuteru Yokoyama in 1956, Tetsujin 28-go (literally means Iron Man #28) is noted for being the first ever "giant robot" comic book. A popular black-and-white anime adaptation was made in 1963. It...
- 6/29/2009
- by Arya Ponto
- JustPressPlay.net
Retro - relating to, reviving, or being the styles and especially the fashions of the past: fashionably nostalgic or old-fashioned. (Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary)
Don’t you hate things that start with the definition of a word? I hope you won’t chalk this up to pretension when I say I realized while watching Gigantor that I didn’t really know exactly what “retro” meant. What is this obsession a lot of us have with old things? Is it some semblance of nostalgia passed down from our parents? A willingness to make a connection to a different time period, if only momentarily? Or maybe you think vinyl will always sound better than an MP3 (which it does, most of the time.)
I didn’t grow up with Gigantor but my own oft-retro sensibilities drew me to it, expecting a defining series for American anime. Adapted from the influential Mitsuteru Yokoyama manga...
Don’t you hate things that start with the definition of a word? I hope you won’t chalk this up to pretension when I say I realized while watching Gigantor that I didn’t really know exactly what “retro” meant. What is this obsession a lot of us have with old things? Is it some semblance of nostalgia passed down from our parents? A willingness to make a connection to a different time period, if only momentarily? Or maybe you think vinyl will always sound better than an MP3 (which it does, most of the time.)
I didn’t grow up with Gigantor but my own oft-retro sensibilities drew me to it, expecting a defining series for American anime. Adapted from the influential Mitsuteru Yokoyama manga...
- 5/17/2009
- by Mark Zhuravsky
- JustPressPlay.net
On top of Astro Boy and Gatchaman already in the works from Imagi Studios, you can now mark down Tetsujin 28 on the list as another classic Japanese property receiving the CG treatment. Based on a 50’s sci-fi manga series created by Mitsuteru Yokoyama, Tetsujin 28 was widely recognized as the first manga to introduce giant robots. It spawn several anime TV series (the 1963 version was released in America as Gigantor) and a 2005 live action film. Although Imagi has launched a teaser trailer and a website, the animated film hasn’t been officially green lit yet. The teaser trailer is actually a CG animation test footage used as a proof of concept for backers and rights holder to decide whether or not to move forward with the project. The visuals doesn’t necessary represent how the film will look if it does go into production but it still looks cool nevertheless.
- 1/11/2009
- by Al Young
- Screen Anarchy
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