One of the more interesting anime-related announcements out of New York Comic Con came from Bandai Namco Pictures, which announced plans for a live-action Hollywood take on superhero anime Tiger & Bunny. The process is in very early stages—they’re still looking for a screenwriter, director, and all the talent involved—but Ron Howard and Brian Grazer are set up to produce the film at Imagine Entertainment. Continue reading
Industry news source Anime! Anime! Biz reported on Thursday that anime studio Manglobe filed for bankruptcy on Tuesday. The report confirms earlier speculation of Manglobe’s insolvency.
The report notes that Manglobe has been insolvent for some time, and was investigating ways to settle its debts, but was in a state where it was unable to continue its current business. The report mentions that work on current projects had been proceeding up until the company filed for bankruptcy. Continue reading
Anime production company Production I.G announced the acquisition of the original rights to the FLCL OVA, which made its debut back in 2000. Recognizing the international popularity of the six-episode anime—directed by Kazuya Tsurumaki (Gunbuster 2), with I.G, Gainax, and King Records making up the production committee—and the exposure it got from its English-dubbed broadcast, The August 28th announcement notes the six-episode series’ international popularity and the exposure from its dubbed broadcast, before indicating I.G’s plans to take advantage of the acquired rights, with the possibility of a remake mentioned. Production I.G hinted at future plans.
One of those plans includes the possibility of a FLCL remake. We’ll have to wait and see if they actually go through with it, but the power is now in I.G’s hands, so we could see more FLCL in some form down the line. Continue reading
Lionsgate has signed Michael Gracey to direct an adaptation of the popular Japanese manga series “Naruto.”
The studio is in negotiations for the film rights to the “Naruto” series written and illustrated by Masashi Kishimoto, first published in 1997. The manga, which has sold more than 200 million copies in print, follows adolescent ninja Naruto Uzumaki, who dreams of becoming the village ninja, the community’s protector and leader.
Avi Arad and his son Ari Arad are producing through Arad Productions. Erik Feig, Geoff Shaveitz and Kelly O’Malley will oversee for the studio.
“Naruto” has generated an anime series in Japan that premiered in 2002 and lasted 220 episodes, while the “Naruto: Shippuden” sequel has been airing since 2007. In addition to the anime series, Studio Pierrot has developed 10 movies.
Gracey is a former visual effects specialist who has moved into directing. He’s been attached to several studio projects that are in development — Universal’s adaptation of the New York Times best-seller “Daughter of Smoke and Bone,” his Elton John biopic, Rocketman, with Tom Hardy attached and Fox’s P.T. Barnum biopic, The Greatest Showman on Earth.
Though it was meant to be announced officially sometime during the Anime Expo 2015 convention, the appearance of an AX shuttle bus wrap revealed plans for the Parasyte anime to make its way to Toonami. According to Sentai’s advertisement, Parasyte -the maxim- will kick off on Cartoon Network’s anime block this fall. Continue reading
Imagine a film that would have centered on Charlize Theron’s character. Now imagine it as an anime. Wouldn’t that have been something awesome? Continue reading
Deadline is reporting that James Wan is in talks with Sony to take the Robotech anime and transform it into a gigantic live-action movie with fighting robots, jets, and love. Continue reading
The first new, original Dragon Ball television anime in nearly two decades is coming this summer. And it will be called Dragon Ball Super.
The last Dragon Ball TV anime, Dragon Ball GT, aired from 1996 to 1997. Continue reading
Another beloved manga is apparently getting a US makeover. Adam Wingard, the cult director behind indie genre gems The Guest and You’re Next, has signed on to direct Death Note, an adaptation of a horror manga being developed at Warner Bros. Continue reading