Gatchaman Feature Under Way

Posted by bob in Films, News on August 9th, 2008

Imagi Animation Studios (Astro Boy) has begun production on the feature film version of the 1972 Gatchaman series.   The legendary anime originally debuted as a Japanese television show called Science Ninja Team Gatchaman and aired in the U.S. during the 1970s and 1980s as Battle of the Planets and G-Force.  The upcoming release will carry the same title, but the animation will be very CGI heavy and less photorealistic.

Paul Dini, perhaps best known known for Batman: The Animated Series has taken over what was originally Kevin Munroe’s (TMNT) position of writing and directing the script for the movie.  Munroe was taken off the project due to creative differences.

The screenplay is set in the future and focuses on the formation of the Science Ninja Team.  The team is comprised of five heroes: Ken, Joe, Jun, Kinpel, and Ryu, who must rise together to prevent Galactor, extra-terrestrial criminals, from gaining control over the Earth’s resources. As with all anime, the heroes carry normal items that, when a special wristband is activated, transform these items in to high-tech gear they need to battle mecha of all size and shape.

The adaptation will be released in theaters April 2009 by Warner Bros. and will potentially have a PG-13 rating due to its tone and violent themes.