Dragonball

[Red Hood]

http://www.getthebigpicture.net/blog...ragonball.html

Is Dragonball in trouble? The divisive live-action adaptation of the classic Japanese anime series (and its million or so offshoots) is currently scheduled for an April 2009 release, but Film Junk is hearing differently.

The site claims to have received a tip from an anonymous source who says Fox executives aren't doing back flips over the footage they've been shown, and they might even consider shutting down the operation before spending a boatload of money to market it. What could fuel this kind of talk? Well, the film's absence at Comic Con could certainly be a red flag, especially since we've seen some images from the film already and quite a few teaser posters. Fox was there promoting The Day the Earth Stood Still, The Rocker, and Wolverine, so to not have this film represented is...curious.

Film Junk also reminds us that the movie was once scheduled to be part of the summer 2008 campaign before being shifted to April of next year. I could understand if you think they're just delaying the inevitable here.

I have one theory, although this is even more speculative than relying on an anonymous source from another site (although I like Film Junk a lot and they don't usually spread idle gossip): What if Fox is keeping an extra close eye on the Watchmen ruling in part because that possible windfall could wipe out Dragonball's potential losses?

I haven't been overwhelmed by anything I've seen to this point. Fans of the series, at least the ones who've chimed in here, seem to loathe the casting and can't believe what parts of the overall arc the film will include and exclude. It would be a bold move to cancel it altogether or even to dump a project of this size on the home video market without a theatrical run, but if Fox is going to gravy train some Watchmen money, it may be worth the hassle to sweep this under the rug. Let's face facts: It was always a risky proposition, for a number of reasons. Some risks don't pay off. If you recognize that sooner than later, you can minimize the damage.

On the other hand, MovieWeb says they have a source close to the production, and the whole rumor is false. "Everyone involved seems to think they have a hit on their hands," reports their source, who rates the film as, "pretty darn awesome. There is certainly talk about a sequel. I have no doubt that it will happen. I'm sure that it will be a trilogy."

Well, that last part seems overly optimistic. At least for now. And if Fox was so excited about the first edit (which is reportedly what they viewed), it does prompt the question of why the film was absent at the biggest geekfest of the year. Hell, at this point, anything's possible with Dragonball. It could be the worst movie of 2009 or a completely original kick in the ass, and it wouldn't surprise me either way.

[Blu-ray Fanatic]

Dragonball will be a guaranteed box office bomb if it ever releases.

[Nerdkiller likes BD]

I find it strange that all these Anime's (don't really like the genre though) are just being made into live action movies. We've had Speed Racer, there's Dragonball right there, whats next, Sailor Moon? No wait...didn't they already do that in Japan?

[trunksvegeta187]

As thrilled as I was when I heard about it last year, I know it will bomb, but I still want to see it for the sake of seeing a live action adaptation of DB ( im not counting the early 90's foreign film)

[fighter4luv]

Originally Posted by Nerdkiller likes BD

I find it strange that all these Anime's (don't really like the genre though) are just being made into live action movies. We've had Speed Racer, there's Dragonball right there, whats next, Sailor Moon? No wait...didn't they already do that in Japan?

There was a series, but they never made a movie. I'm sure in the future someone will come up with an awesome screenplay for a Sailor Moon movie *looks forward to that*

[jeabombers]

Originally Posted by fighter4luv

There was a series, but they never made a movie. I'm sure in the future someone will come up with an awesome screenplay for a Sailor Moon movie *looks forward to that*

I'll only look forward to it if they include at least the full changing "animations" *wink**wink*.

[Red Hood]

I heard the movie will be 90 mins long. 87 mins of constipated screaming and 3 mins of credits.

[Kryptron]

I heard the movie will be 90 mins long. 87 mins of constipated screaming and 3 mins of credits.

So true. I don't see how they could make this a live action movie. I liked the cartoon, but it just doesn't fit live action imo. It's going to be super saiyan level 3 cheesetastic.

[EricJ]

For those who don't want to sit through "Max Payne" just to see the DBZ trailer, a few early purported sneak shots, assuming the website hasn't pulled them by now:

(Yes, Piccolo isn't green. Get over it.
At least, as the website comments, he's got that Nosferatu thing going.)

[ShawnJ]

When I heard that Akira Toriyama was let go and not going to be a part of the production of the live action film, I figured that it might end up being a "cheesy" movie. We all got to see how awful Dragonball GT turned out with out Toriyama!

[Red Hood]

I actually liked gt better. I think because there wasn't 210 filler episodes of flying and screaming.

I did like the original though. Just not Z

[STARSCREAM]

If it's released it will bomb big time.

[MOONPHASE]

Originally Posted by Pyre

I actually liked gt better. I think because there wasn't 210 filler episodes of flying and screaming.

I did like the original though. Just not Z

Well Dragon Ball GT it had the whole finding the Black Star Dragon Balls which kind of got me bored until Baby showed up which wasn't until like at least episode 20, maybe more. But anyways theres going to be a Dragon Ball Evolution PSP game coming out to Japan and America.

[MOONPHASE]

Originally Posted by ShawnJ

When I heard that Akira Toriyama was let go and not going to be a part of the production of the live action film, I figured that it might end up being a "cheesy" movie. We all got to see how awful Dragonball GT turned out with out Toriyama!

I thought it was kind of funny when Toriyama saw the Dragon Ball Evolution movie he tried to be all polite about it http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news...ragonball-film

[Afrobean]

Originally Posted by MOONPHASE

I thought it was kind of funny when Toriyama saw the Dragon Ball Evolution movie he tried to be all polite about it http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news...ragonball-film

What's funny about that? He took the stance that any artist should when his art is adapted into another format and he is not directly involved with it. "Guys, just think of it as another universe, because it's clearly not related to the previous incarnations."

And you guys, there's nothing inherent in the design of Dragon Ball which makes it a poor translation into live action. Did any of you see Kung Fu Hustle? Obviously, they won't be doing cartoon running like in that, but Kung Fu Hustle manages to strike pretty much exactly the kind of tone that a good Dragon Ball adaptation would, all while mixing good humor with great action.

[Diesel]

Originally Posted by STARSCREAM

If it's released it will bomb big time.

most likely

but i'll be in the theater watching
i want to see if its a load of crap in person instead of on the internet
lol

im kind of hoping its one of those movies that is so bad its worth 8.50 (ticket prices here) to see
but i wouldnt mind it being good of course, but it prolly wont be