Some potentially horrible news for anime fans awaiting the arrival of the feature adaptation of Osamu Tezuka's Astro Boy: production house Imagi Animation have realized that they are unable to make payroll leading to them laying off eighty animators and halting production. They say this is a temporary situation brought on by the loss of an investor in late 2008 and that bridge financing is on the way but this can't be a good sign for this or future Imagi productions such as Gatchaman.
A thrilling tale of a true hero, 'Astro Boy' is an all-new, full-length feature film full of action, adventure, humor and heart. It will be brought to life on the big screen in breathtaking CGI animation on October 23, 2009.Set in futuristic Metro City, 'Astro Boy' is about a young robot with incredible powers. Powered by pure positive "blue" energy, Astro Boy (Freddie Highmore) is endowed with super strength, x-ray vision, unbelievable speed and the ability to fly- not to mention the purest spirit on the planet.
Embarking on a journey across the planet to discover his powers, Astro Boy encounters a netherworld of robot gladiators and other comic characters, and learns the joys and emotions of being human. When he learns his friends and family are in danger, Astro Boy marshals all his awesome super powers and returns to Metro City, in a valiant effort to save everything he cares about and to embrace his place in the world.