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Hollywood studio plans movie based on Japanese comic book series 'Dragonball'

HONG KONG (AP) -- Hollywood studio Twentieth Century Fox plans to make a movie version of the popular Japanese comic book series "Dragonball" -- with help from a famed filmmaker from Hong Kong, where Japanese comics and animation are popular.

Fox said in a statement issued Wednesday in Hong Kong that local comedian Stephen Chow will produce the live action movie "Dragonball" and James Wong, a former writer for the TV series "The X-Files" and director of "Final Destination," will direct.

Chow's credits include "Shaolin Soccer" and "Kung Fu Hustle."

Fox said Justin Chatwin, who played the son of Tom Cruise's character in "War of the Worlds," will portray the lead character Goku and James Marsters is cast as Goku's main enemy, Piccolo.

Marsters played the vampire Spike on the TV series "Buffy the Vampire Slayer."

"Dragonball" revolves around Goku's quest to protect Earth from evil forces who want to take over the planet and control mystical objects known as "dragonballs."

Fox said the film, whose budget was not announced, will start shooting later this year and will be released worldwide on Aug. 15, 2008.

Stephen Chow Sing Chi will be producing a live-action version of famed Japanese anime, "Dragon Ball" in Hollywood. The movie will be funded by Twentieth Century Fox studios. Although the movie has not started filming yet, the USA release date has been slated for August 15, 2008, which will capture the summer audience.

James Wong will be directing the movie. Cast members include Justin Chatwin and James Marsters. Justin will play the lead role, Son Goku.

Combining Western and Eastern talents, what will result in Stephen Chow's "Dragon Ball?"
Will it do justice to Akira Toriyama's famed manga and anime classic?

Other cast members have not been confirmed yet. But it was widely speculated that Stephen may choose to employ artists under his production company, such as Zhang Yuqi. In an interview yesterday, Stephen also said that he would like to cast Edison Chen Kuen Hei in the movie as well. However, the final casting choices will be determined by Director James Wong.

The script has not been revealed yet. Will Stephen's movie focus on the quest of the 7 dragon balls and Son Goku's battle with the universe's greatest martial artist? Or will it center around "Dragonball Z's" plot, where Son Goku defends Earth against various super villains? Undoubtedly, the live-action version of "Dragon Ball" will be highly anticipated among manga and anime fans!

In 2004, when Stephen promoted "Kung Fu Hustle" in Japan, he admitted he was a great fan of "Dragon Ball." Also, at the end of "Kung Fu Hustle," Stephen's character utilized a fighting style reminiscent of Son Goku's trademark style in "Dragon Ball."

where that bulma BTW?

Chi Chi so HOT!

Rumor has it that Mexican actress Camila Sodi auditioned for the role of Bulma, which makes sense as the movie is being shot in Mexico. If true, she might be a good choice. Aqua hair aside, she at least looks like her anime counterpart.

i would love to say that in manga thier environment do look like somewhere at Mexico

Chung goes live with 'Dragonball'





Jamie Chung has joined Justin Chatwin and James Marsters in Fox's "Dragonball," the live-action adaptation of the popular Japanese comic.

James Wong is directing the science fiction action-adventure, which centers on an adult humanoid alien named Goku (Chatwin) who, after discovering he was sent to Earth to destroy the population, tries to fulfill the wish of his dying grandfather and collect all seven of the world's mystical Dragon Balls to keep them out of the hands of the evil aliens.

Chung will play Chi Chi, the love interest of Goku when he's growing up.

Marsters ("Buffy, the Vampire Slayer") plays the evil Piccolo, who tries to take over the world.

"Dragonball," which is being produced by Stephen Chow, is one of the most successful Japanese cultural exports of all time.

Created by Akira Toriyama and published by Tokyo's Jump Comics, the manga was adapted into graphic novels, video games and a successful television series that ran in Europe, Asia, Latin America and North America.

Chung, whose credits include ABC's "Samurai Girl" and "Greek," is repped by Gersh and Kritzer/Levine/Wilkins Entertainment.

Chow rolls to Fox for 'Dragonball'



Chow Yun-Fat is the latest to join 20th Century Fox's live-action adaptation of "Dragonball."

Chow will play Master Roshi. He rounds out a cast that includes Justin Chatwin, James Marsters, Emmy Rossum and Jamie Chung. Chow is repped by CAA.

"Dragonball" is shooting in Mexico City and Los Angeles.

The film, directed by James Wong, follows Goku (Chatwin), a warrior alien who protects the Earth from an endless stream of rogues bent on dominating the universe and controlling mystical objects known as Dragon Balls. Stephen Chow is producing.

Master Roshi is Goku's mentor, helping him achieve the highest state of fighting and spiritual powers.

Randall Duk Kim to Play Dragonball's Grandpa Gohan



Randall Duk Kim, the actor best known for playing The Keymaker in The Matrix Reloaded, announced on his website that he will play Gohan in Twentieth Century Fox's live-action adaptation of Akira Toriyama's Dragon Ball manga. Kim will also voice a character named Oogway in DreamWorks Animation's Kung-Fu Panda computer-graphics film. Kim's Gohan character raised the main character Goku (Justin Chatwin) in the manga, and is not to be confused with Goku's more famous son of the same name.

In a separate development, the TV Guide magazine has interviewed actor James Marsters (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) about his return to the Smallville television series as Brainiac and his anti-hero role of Lord Piccolo in the Dragon Ball movie. Marsters says, "I've been told I'm working for people who will just flay me alive if I give too much information, but what I can tell you is the character is green, bald, and has pointed ears. Heroic wouldn't be the wrong term by the end, but it's a long journey."

In addition to Chatwin, Marsters, and Kim, the cast includes Emmy Rossum (The Phantom of the Opera film, The Day After Tomorrow) as Bulma, Eriko Tamura (Heroes) as Mai, Jamie Chung (The Real World) as Chi Chi, Joon Park (Speed Racer) as Yamcha, and Chow Yun-Fat (A Better Tomorrow, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End) as Master Roshi. Shooting has begun in Mexico City, and the studio is planning for an August 15 release.