Imagi Studios has signed FLUSHED AWAY director David Bowers to direct the CG-animated motion picture ASTROBOY, replacing previously announced director Colin Brady.
Bowers said, "I've had a lifelong affection for the original ASTROBOY, so I am looking forward to giving him the full action-adventure Hollywood treatment. His story is both emotional and spectacular, so it absolutely lends itself to the big screen. With the amazing crew that Imagi has assembled, I feel there's an opportunity to create something very special -- a film to surprise audiences, have them on the edge of their seats, and hopefully make them laugh, too."
ASTROBOY producer Maryann Garger said, "I'm incredibly excited to be working again with David. Not only is he a visionary director, but he brings extraordinary passion and care to his films." Garger was a co-producer on FLUSHED AWAY.
Based on the manga from legendary Osamu Tezuka, ASTROBOY follows a young robot with incredible powers created by a brilliant scientist in the image of the son he has lost. Unable to fulfill the grieving man's expectations, AstroBoy embarks on a journey in search of acceptance, experiencing betrayal and a netherworld of robot gladiators, before he returns to save Metro City and reconcile with the father who had rejected him.
ASTROBOY is slated for worldwide release in 2009 from Warner Bros. Pictures and The Weinstein Co.
No reason was given for Brady leaving what would have been his first animated feature directing job. Previously he served as a supervisor on Imagi's TMNT. He's also been attached as the director of THE SMURFS feature.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
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