Ah, the remake, the adaptation, the re-envisaging!!!!! Actually, it’s more about taking our childhood and turning it into oooooodles of cash. Ok, so kiddie/cartoon TV shows have always branched into film – TMNT, Care Bears, He-Man, Spongebob Squarepants… blah blah blah. But Hollywood isn’t going for current hits right now, it’s raiding the cookie jar of yesteryear, namely about 20 years ago or more. We’ve had a search and here’s what’s going down; hold your breath and get comfortable.
ASTROBOY
The story (which began as manga in the 50s, then became animation in the 60s and again in the 80s) of a robot boy created by Dr Boynton to take the place of a dead son (Astroboy also ended up with a little robot sister, Uran). He falls into the care of Dr Elefun and Daddy Walrus. Astroboy fights evil.
The film, which is now complete and due for release soon, has Freddie Highmore (Spiderwick Chronicles), but also Nic Cage (hmmm) and Matt Lucas (danger! danger!). It’s all done by the Imagi Animation Studio (who are also taking on Gatchaman).
Check the trailer here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y23aI4HO_w8
GATCHAMAN
If this looks more like G-Force or Battle of The Planets (which is what I knew it as) then yes, you’d be right, they’re Western versions of the show. You might also remember it for the urban legend that has Keyop’s dialect as undecipherable but it’s all major swearing in Japanese. The film is said to be a more direct version of the 70s original and there is a trailer out (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOu7TAZUmhc) but it’s a barely there teaser. Rumour has Gatachman has hit trouble with several key members of the crew (i.e. director) bailing out. So fingers crossed!
VOLTRON
Voltron lurks vividly in the memory stakes. The final show had me run in tears to my room as I had to bid farewell to my fave intergalactic heroes. Of course, there was the far inferior Vehicle series, but by far the Lion team rocked! And there was Keith, the dreamy leader! After the success of Transformers, it was said Voltron was to be a live action flick and New Regency came into the fray, though with a slate of hideous releases (Jumper, Alvin and the Chipmunks), well, it could be a stinker.
When Cloverfield first began its viral campaign, it was rumoured that this was the long promised Voltron movie. Alas, no. Don’t hold your breath for Voltron though, the Japanese company TOEI are said to be battling with Hollywood over the rights to fuck around with their beloved robot.
THUNDERCATS
The boys’ favorite, Thundercats, will arrive next year. After live-action rumours, it’s now said it will be CGI, and has names like Hugh Jackman (not a far stretch for him considering he was Wolverine) and Jessica Simpson as Cheetara (???). The dudes behind Gods of War and Gears of War are meant to be helming the art and directing chairs and though there is no trailer yet online, hopes are high. I just hope that Mumm-ra is as spine chilling as he was to me as a very small girl!!!
HE-MAN
The last film version had Dolph Lundgren as the muscle-bound hero, which was as camp as tits and looked like Mad Max crossed with Conan the Barbarian. He-Man and Flash Gordon always seemed to be straight out of the San Franciso leather bars and this film did nothing to help the cause.
He-Man, as an upcoming film, has John Stevenson (Kung Fu Panda) now attached as the director and Justin Marks as writer (he has recently completed the Streetfighter script – please god don’t let it be as truly horrible as the 90s one). There is still no word on who will be playing any of the characters.
This (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zffk-Lw8cwE) however, is not anything official but imagine the possibilities if so. It would be very very very cool.
Hot Wheels is also in the pipeline, and GI Joe is fully cast using Dennis Quaid, Sienna Miller and Christopher Ecclestone, amongst others. Stephen Sommers is directing, he of The Mummy I/II and Van Helsing, so you can be guaranteed that this is going to be a lot of bang for ya buck and no brain. It’s rumoured Emily the Strange will make a transition to the big screen and on the sequel front, there is the horrifying news that Goonies 2 will hitting us alongside Donnie Darko (no Jake, just his sister, ummmmm). Oh yes, and 21 Jump St is being made into a film. All together now – rape! Pillage!! Seriously Hollywood, get some new fucking ideas!!!!!
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