Stephen Chow to Produce "Dragon Ball" in Hollywood

[saikira]

Wednesday November 14,2007 USA

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."

credits: jayne. posted by shinobi

edit with new ppl castin in this movie



Park Joon-hyung of G.O.D fame will be part of the big budget Hollywood adaption of the super popular Japanese based manga Dragonball.

Joon Park as he is called in the U.S., will play bad boy Yamcha, a thief turned Z fighter. Also, Emmy Rossum recently signed up to play Bulma, a scientist and inventor whose father's Dragon Ball is stolen by the villain, Piccolo. And Eriko Tamura, the popular Japanese actress who depicted Yaeko in popular TV series Heroes, will play the character of Mai.

The cast also includes Justin Chatwin, James Marsters and Jamie Chung.

Park Joon-hyung also has a part of the upcoming movie with fellow Korean singer, Rain, in Speed Racer (2008) where he plays a Yakuza driver.

credits: popseoul.

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.


Chow Yun Fat u noe~ from POTC

[DeadlyNightshade]

OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG!!!!!!!!!!!! SPIKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *squeals*

*coughs* anyway, a live action? hm..... i doubt it'll actually work. i've seen the one of sailor moon and i hated it! they just didn't suit the characters and if you can't "cosplay" well, then the show will suck.

and justin looks.... ugly, lol

[blackrabbit2999]

but... why???
its going to be so weird.

[gerald.woo]

Um... I don't know what else to say other than being straight forward, this is going to suck. Just my opinion, it might be better if Japan produced this live-action series.

[konekoneko]

I heard about this yesterday from my friend! I'd see it, just to support Stephen Chow. <3

If it sucks, eh..at least it'll probably provide a few laughs.

[aska215]

I heard it on the radio but i thought i hear wrongly.. turns out to be true!
OMG, its gonna be disastrous..the actors dont even look like the anime characters..how are they gonna make goku in super saiyan?............... weird..........

[jplu]

i wonder how this will turn out~_~ i hope they won't mess it up. Dragon Ball is a very famous anime series and people will have huge expectations. hopefully they'll give it enough justice.

[chillerkid]

come on guys.. what could go wrong if it's steven chow and james wong directing it? they both very good directors and i'm sure it will turn out good super saiyan. cgi?

[DEPTHSING]

a foreigner as goku....gawd....let's hoep stephen chow dun makes dragon ball into another comedy.

[spyboy]

Ugh...a movie I dread to see yet somehow excited at the same time. Mostly dread on my part though. We'll see how well this movie project goes with the coming months ahead.

[milkyway]

hmmm...i really am totally confused @ how he is gnna make the movie (especially the super sayain part) witout makin it look CHEEZY! also the story line...is it gnna be new or he gnna make 1 up?

[Kanra]

who cares about this, i hope cj7 is good =O and after that, i will worry about dbz

[delorian]

hahahha... hopefully it will turn out to be good?!

[lemanz]

cool... making dragon ball into movie... wandering how will they make the super-saiyan hairstyle... with comedy in the storyline (maybe)...

[rjdrew]

this will be very interesting indeed wheter ya love or hate DB, i personally dont really like it. then again though stephen chow could make it work.