Title: Gatchaman 2008 Film Feature (Pending) Air Dates: Tentatively scheduled for theatrical release in 2008 Number of Episodes: 1 (feature film) Released By: Imagi Entertainment Current Commercial Availability: None yet.

At Last... Long-Standing Rumors Made Real?

As long as English-speaking fans have known about Gatchaman, rumors about a Gatchaman live-action feature film have been circulating in newsletters and mailing lists. Those rumors have always been proven false until now. Although this feature will use computer-generated imagery instead of live-action, as of 2006, there is a brand-new Gatchaman feature in the works.

Imagi Animation Studios has been gearing up for a series of films featuring popular icons of earlier decades, starting with the 2007 release of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. With luck and funding, the Gatchaman film will follow.

Imagi is a small production company based in Hong Kong with the management office in Los Angeles. Previous works include Zentrix (2002), Digital Monster X-Evolution and production work on Father of the Pride. Imagi is also working with the Japanese production company Mad House (you've seen the work of Mad House on various animated productions, including Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust and an anime version of Highlander available in 2007).

Here's what we know about the 2008 Gatchaman feature so far:

• The feature will be directed by Kevin Munroe, the director for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Some of the original design staff have connections to earlier Gatchaman productions in Japan.
• The storyline will feature an all-new adventure focusing on Ken, Joe, Jun, Jinpei and Ryu. The story is tentatively set to take place before the team's first official mission, and will show how the heroes develop into the Science Ninja Team.
• The story will take place on Earth.
• The story will be set in the Gatchaman universe, not Battle of the Planets. There is no Spectra, no Zoltar and no 7-Zark-7 (however, I wouldn't put any in-jokes past the production crew).
• The atmosphere will have a dark, gritty feel with plenty of fighting action (concept art at right is of Ken and Joe in Utoland). Check out the latest concept art on Imagi's Web site and Ain't It Cool News.
• According to Harry Knowles at aintitcool.com, the character designs resemble the originals, only modeled in CG.
• A two-minute trailer premiered March 22, 2007 at the 2007 Digital Entertainment Leadership Forum in Hong Kong. Description available at Butterboom.com.
• Imagi just signed Robert Mike Kamen to write the screenplay. Kamen's other works include Taps, The Karate Kid and its sequels, A Walk in the Clouds, The Power of One, Lethal Weapon 3, The Professional, The Fifth Element, Kiss of the Dragon, Bandidas, the Transporter movies and the upcoming Taken, starring Liam Neeson.

On July 19, 2006, I took a tour of Imagi Studios and got a look at the progress made. You can find my report here.

Production Notes

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