Summit Adopts ‘Astro Boy’

Continuing their run of big time acquisitions, boutique
distributor Summit Entertainment has scooped up worldwide rights for Imagi
Entertainment’s CG animated Astro Boy. Curiously, the pic was previously set to
be distributed domestically and worldwide by Warner Bros. and The Weinstein
Company respectively.

Created by world-renowned “God of manga” Osamu Tezuka in
1952, Astro Boy tells the story of a precocious young robot built by a genius
scientist in the image of his deceased son. When the robot fails to meet the
grieving scientist’s expectations, he is cast out onto the world in search of
purpose. Designed with fantastic powers, the robot boy soon becomes a sort of
super-hero battling both robot-hating humans and alien intruders – all in hopes
of ultimately reconciling with his estranged “father.” The series is widely
considered the prototype for all anime and the character of Astro Boy is as
recognizable as Mickey Mouse in many corners of the world.

The film is directed by David Bowers (Flushed Away) and
stars IT child actor Freddie Highmore as the titular hero. Vets Nicolas Cage,
Donald Sutherland, Nathan Lane, Bill Nighy and Eugene Levy round out the
all-star voice cast. Timothy Harris, who’s last screen credit was for 1996’s
Space Jam (…),  penned the adaptation.
Imagi Studios found moderate success last year with its John Woo-produced TMNT revival which grossed $95 million worldwide.

Set for a global release next year, Astro Boy is far and away the biggest picture Summit has
taken on; having dealt primarily in art-house and specialty fare such as The
Fall and Penelope. Along with last week’s announcement that they will be
handling the film version of Warren Ellis’ Red, the company is also distributing
another Nic Cage vehicle Knowing directed by Alex Proyas. Summit seems to be committed to spreading
its proverbial wings as a theatrical distributor.