News

Imagi Studios Announces Astro Boy Licensing Deals
Source:Imagi Studios, Wolf
November 10, 2008


Imagi Studios announced today that it has signed worldwide licensing agreements with American Greetings, Penguin Group (USA) Inc., Jazwares Inc., D3Publisher and IDW Publishing for Astro Boy, its upcoming CG-animated film based on the adventures of the superhero icon. The studio's agreement with American Greetings also extends to future Imagi films. Astro Boy, slated for domestic release on October 23, 2009, is being distributed worldwide by Summit Entertainment except for Imagi's reserved territories of Japan, Hong Kong and China.

"The strategic partnerships with these product category leaders speak volumes about Astro Boy and its reach to fans of all ages around the world," said Erin Corbett, President, Imagi Studios U.S. "In addition, the ongoing relationship with American Greetings reflects a shared vision for the enduring appeal of our upcoming titles and the characters that bring them to life."

"The suite of promotions that has formed in support of the worldwide roll out of this wonderful family film is extraordinary," said Nancy Kirkpatrick, President of Worldwide Marketing for Summit Entertainment. "The blue-chip partners on board are a testament to a high level of early anticipation for this animated adventure."

American Greetings, one of the world's largest creators, manufacturers and distributors of social expression products, will create items such as greeting cards, stationery, gift wrap and party goods inspired by Imagi properties.

"Imagi's upcoming films include an array of beloved characters with terrific storylines, which lend themselves perfectly for consumers to celebrate through a number of product formats within the social expression category," said Michael Brown, VP of Licensing, American Greetings Corporation. "We are excited to be embarking on a long-term alliance with Imagi Studios."

The innovative children's toy and activity company Jazwares will be the master toy licensee for Astro Boy.

Penguin, one of the world's largest trade book publishers, will introduce a full range of Astro Boy publications.

In addition, IDW Publishing will support Astro Boy with comic book and graphic novel titles inspired by the film.

Imagi has also partnered with interactive entertainment software leader D3Publisher to publish and distribute Astro Boy game software.

"We're thrilled at the prospect of both building the 'Astro Boy' brand and further developing our relationship with Imagi," said Bill Anker, VP of Business Development and Licensing, North America and Europe, D3P. "Our agreement is an excellent complement to our portfolio and the 'Astro Boy' videogame will be a new way for fans, as well as gamers, to experience this renowned character."

Imagi Studios and Summit Entertainment, the distributor for Astro Boy, also concurrently announced global marketing partnerships with Striker Entertainment as the exclusive licensing agent for the Astro Boy movie while Rogers & Cowan will serve as the promotional agency.

Licensing veterans Russell Binder and Marc Mostman, working together under the Striker Entertainment banner, will deliver a full-fledged consumer products program on a worldwide basis to mass-market consumers with focus on the core six-to-14 demographic.

Striker Entertainment's Russell Binder said: "Imagi delivers exceptionally high-quality CG animation with a ton of entertainment value that should naturally translate to toys, videogames, publishing and other key categories. Imagi's production style, coupled with the global iconic character of 'Astro Boy,' perpetrates a 'perfect storm' entertainment brand."

Rogers & Cowan, a leading entertainment public relations and marketing agency, will facilitate promotional partnerships for Astro Boy.

Tom Tardio, Rogers & Cowan CEO, said: "We are thrilled to be working with Imagi Studios on this high-profile project. The family-friendly appeal of the 'Astro Boy' film positions the franchise as a perfect promotional partner for consumer brands seeking to reach kids of all ages and their parents."

In related news, Felix Ip has posted this new standee on his Blog, where he revealed that a teaser trailer is coming within a month (we assume with Summit Entertainment's Twilight on Nov. 21).


Set in the future, Imagi Studios' Astro Boy is a classic superhero origin story about a young robot with incredible powers and his adventure-filled journey in search of his identity and destiny, taking him into a netherworld of robot gladiators before he returns to save Metro City.

David Bowers (Flushed Away) is directing Astro Boy and Maryann Garger is the producer. The all-star cast is headed by Academy AwardŽ-winning actor Nicolas Cage, Kristen Bell, Nathan Lane, Bill Nighy, Eugene Levy and Donald Sutherland, with Freddie Highmore in the title role. The story is by David Bowers, and Timothy Harris (Kindergarten Cop, Trading Places) wrote the screenplay.


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Comments

Posted by: KHAAAAAAAAAAN! on November 10, 2008 at 11:19:44

Why exactly is this movie being made?


Posted by: Leo Jussila on November 10, 2008 at 11:27:33

I agree with KHAAAAAAAAAAAAAN! why is this movie being made?

I mean, just the picture.. gosh.
Kids probably loves it.


Posted by: B on November 10, 2008 at 12:31:57

damn the astro boy stuff bring on more turtles!!!


Posted by: Gigli on November 10, 2008 at 12:40:18

Astro kicks hiney!


Posted by: FoamyDog on November 10, 2008 at 13:05:20

Astro Boy is awesome.


Posted by: BishopCable on November 10, 2008 at 13:10:47

The movie is being made because Astro Boy is an icon. If imagi is going to make TMNT - which doesn't have as large a following as Astro Boy. then making Astro Boy is a no-brainer. TMNT rocks by the way, so this is sure to be great as well!

Imagi Rules!


Posted by: Fanboiii on November 10, 2008 at 14:08:51

Astroboy rocks. Even if its for kids, it can still be a good and fun movie for adults.

I thought TMNT was done really well and respectful to the show.


Posted by: Darknightwatchmen on November 10, 2008 at 14:25:42

They Finally gave him a shirt he can fly in.
No more tear away Kirk shirts!


Posted by: SERIOUSLY????? on November 10, 2008 at 15:08:39

Who really cares about this garbage? get this off this site before i start going to aintitcoolnews or something


Posted by: Lee on November 10, 2008 at 15:21:56

Awesome news! I can't wait to see this. If only they gave Dragonball this much justice....it would have probably...ahh nevermind. This movie makes up for the Dragonball screw-up a for the most part.

Astroboy is a first weekend watcher for me. Finally an anime based movie I can look forward to!


Posted by: jrobert on November 10, 2008 at 16:07:43

''Astro Boy-Built for Adventure'' that type of tagline sounds incredibly corny. But I should say that I used to watch the cartoon,like so many other cartoons when I was a youth and I thoroughly enjoyed it.I love all forms of art and animation,as well as anime but I draw the line at falling into that sub-category of comic book or anime fans who are into kiddie porn that look like future pedophiles or end up on America`s Most Wanted(let`s face it, there are comic book and anime fans like that that give the rest of us a bad name,obviously they`re in the minority,but they do exist).

Astro Boy will be a good movie,I`m sure,even though the promotional poster reminds me of Jimmy Neutron as well as the upcoming Pixar picture with the super-dog Bolt.I agree with the posts from KHAAAAAAAAAAN! and Leo Jussila,I`m not quite sure why eactly a Astro Boy movie is being made.Having said that though,I won`t discount a Astro Boy movie completely because I`m sure it will be good for who it`s good for.I can`t see myself going to see it,but oh well, I`m sure the kids and other adults besides myself will love it.


Posted by: The Fire Fly2 on November 10, 2008 at 17:34:35

Posted by: SERIOUSLY????? on November 10, 2008 at 15:08:39

Who really cares about this garbage? get this off this site before i start going to aintitcoolnews or something

OH NO SERIOUSLY??? PLEASE DONT DO THAT!!!!
HAHAHAHAHA NEXT!!!


Posted by: ¿uoods on November 10, 2008 at 18:57:09

Is it just me, or does the astroboy in the standee look a little constipated?


Posted by: Somebody on November 10, 2008 at 19:07:37

Wow, that pic looks really bad.

I've just lost any interest in seeing this movie due to the poor character design.


Posted by: mrfood on November 10, 2008 at 19:29:53

Looks more like Bigboy than Astro


Posted by: IT'S NOT A TUMOR on November 10, 2008 at 20:30:29

WOW! I see the critics are off the leash and scrathing their itch today. To the nay sayers, I say, give the movie a chance. This movie is being made for the kids. Kids like you once were. When I was in grade school, I remember watching this show alot. Now that I have grown, I like that this kind of movie can be made. I recently took my girlfriend to see Wall-e, and out of all the movies I saw this summer, I have to say that it was by far the best of the season. So to the crab apples who have nothing better to do but B I T C H, I say

GROW THE HELL UP!!!!!!!!!!!


Posted by: BishopCable on November 10, 2008 at 21:22:28

Enough with the morons thinking this looks like garbage or thinking it shouldn't be made. Astroboy is extremely popular and deservedly so. He's the Japanese equivalent to Mickey Mouse. So far from all the promo material I've seen this movie looks like it's going to do justice to the original manga and previous animated series. If you have any doubts, reserve judgement until the trailer.

Astoboy is not just for kids, like Pixar films the manga and tv shows are very heart felt and inspiring. There was one episode where Astro fell in love with a girl robot who ended up sacrificng herslef so Astro could live. He then in turn had Dr. Elefun put her robot legs on to his body so they could be togther forever. It was one of the most touching and saddest things I have ever seen. Far too complex for a seven year old to comprehend.

Seriously????.... if you want to got to AICN then get out of here and good riddance to trash like you, and Khaaaan!! why don't you just go watch the over rated Dark Knight for the 100th time or something you philistine.


Posted by: wat on November 11, 2008 at 01:21:24

ASTRO BOY IS COOL!!!!



.....if you were born in 1935


Posted by: Spider on November 11, 2008 at 05:25:46

IT'S NOT A TUMOR...

Wall-E is the best movie this summer for you? And "by far" too? What, did you miss Iron Man and The Dark Knight for some reason?


Posted by: IT'S NOT A TUMOR on November 11, 2008 at 11:58:58

@Spider

Somebody always has to mention The Dark Knight in these things. Go back to Gotham, Goober!

Heath Ledger was totally G A Y!


Posted by: Fanboiii on November 11, 2008 at 12:46:51

Funny how people who don't care for this movie care enough to leave a comment about it. Idiots.


Posted by: TheBat on November 12, 2008 at 07:04:20

I was born in 1968, not 1935, & I've enjoyed the show over the years and will at least rent this if not go see it in theatre w/ the girlfriend. Wouldn't go alone to see it though. I will say that he doesn't look quite right to me though. Doesn't have the same classic feel that I'd like but I suppose they are trying to apeal to a wide audience.

TDK was not over rated and Ledger was not G A Y in it at all. I believe he was married to a hot blond and likely had sex with her because they have a child together. Don't be such a homophobe Tumor. I'm sure you have enough brains to come up with a better insult for Spider, who apparently thinks everyone has to feel the same way about movies as he does. Well, Spider Wall-E must have been a decent movie for many people since it won a Scream award and I've heard several people say how much they enjoyed it. Didn't see it myself but I will be renting it.

As for Seriously???? Go ahead and get your moronic ass out of here. Do you really think any of us, and especially SHH cares if you read some other website? Do you actually think yourself so important and amazing that we couldn't survive without your brilliantly ignorant comments?!? Please, do us the favor and say bye-bye.

Aside from this slap at TDK, I'd have to agree with BishopCable.


Posted by: Why so serious? on November 14, 2008 at 13:28:03

Astro Boy looks cool.
Please don't compare one of the first anime's to another American cartoon. AB will do well, as it is mosly aimed for ages 6-14...and TDK was really good as was Iron Man, funny, IM's tagline was " Heroes aren't born, they're built."


Posted by: hotrider12 on November 18, 2008 at 08:08:17

this astro boy look way different from the 1960's astro boy b/w cartoon's this astro boy (in the pic.) looks more like a modern day penokio I know I spelled the name wrong but you guys know who Im talking about wooden boy. with a slick back pointy hair style. this not the astro boy I remember as a child back in the day


Posted by: laila ayman mohamed wagi maawad mostafa on December 24, 2008 at 13:56:10

i was very happy but i want to see the cartoon of (pinokio) thanks


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