Astro Boy (live action)

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A Live-Action Astro Boy Film is in Development

The Hollywood Reporter brings word today that the classic character Astro Boy is going to star in his own live-action feature with Australia’s Animal Logic Entertainment partnering with Japan’s Tezuka Productions. Zareh Nalbandian from Animal Logic will produce along with Jason Lust as executive producer. Mike Callaghan and Reuben Liber from Ranger 7 Films will also executive produce. No director is currently attached, but the search for a screenwriter on the project has begun.

Primarily a visual effects studio, Animal Logic Entertainment has done work on X-Men: Days of Future Past, 300, The LEGO Movie, The Matrix, and even the upcoming Avengers: Age of Ultron. They also have some other properties in development, including a live-action animated hybrid film of Betty Boop and an adaptation of Jeff Smith’s Bone.

Created by Osamu Tezuka in 1952, Astro Boy tells the story of a young robot built by a scientist to replace his recently deceased son. After being abandoned Astro is raised by another scientist where he’s given upgrades that allow him to fight crime. Several TV shows based on the character have been made and an animated feature was released in 2009 featuring the voices of Freddie Highmore, Kristen Bell, and Nicolas Cage. That film only earned $39.9 million worldwide on a $65 million budget.