Dragonball Z is go

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Strike Back below!
by: Dave Davis Nov. 13, 2007

Fox has been sitting on the rights to a live-action DRAGONBALL Z feature for years now, but apparently they've finally saved up enough to budget for all the required styling product and computer-rendered speed lines.

James Wong (FINAL DESTINATION) is directing the flick, based on the the seemingly endless animated Japanese import about fighters with oversized heads, exaggerated physiques and dangerously sharp hair as they train their outlandish martial arts skills and energetically beat the crap out of evil opponents as the fate of the universe hangs in the balance. Wong also wrote the script, as far as that might be necessary.

Justin Chatwin (Tom Cruise's annoying son in WAR OF THE WORLDS) plays the hero Goku, while James Marsters (best known as vampire Spike from TV's BUFFY and ANGEL) will be the villain Piccolo. Shooting begins later this month, with stunt performers/trainers 87Eleven (THE BOURNE SUPREMACY, 300) assisting with the ludicrous punches. The film's release is planned for August 2008.

Hong Kong superstar Stephen Chow (KUNG FU HUSTLE) is producing, which is pretty much the only thing about the whole project that interests me.

DRAGONBALL, created by Akira Toriyama, has been seen in countless manga volumes, videogames, ongoing cartoon series, and direct-to-video releases.

Source: Variety

Extra Tidbit: SMALLVILLE star Tom Welling was once rumored for the role of Goku.

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awesomemac
12:22AM on 11/17/2007 Add as a friend | MFC profile
NOOOOO!!!!
They're not starting with little kid Goku? Are they even gonna put the dragonballs in the story? AND it's not japanese? Haven't FUNimation ruined it enough?!
They're not starting with little kid Goku? Are they even gonna put the dragonballs in the story? AND it's not japanese? Haven't FUNimation ruined it enough?!
 
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afulinara
3:31PM on 11/15/2007 Add as a friend | MFC profile
So im guessing very few have interest in chronology, is that the trend nowadays?
So im guessing very few have interest in chronology, is that the trend nowadays?
 
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joeyatog
3:09PM on 11/15/2007 Add as a friend | MFC profile
who cares?
this is going to be so terrible!

afulinara: lion, witch, and wardrobe was the first book in the series. it may not be first chronologically, but i believe it was written first. besides, starting with 'The Magician's Nephew' might be a little confusing for the kiddies.
this is going to be so terrible!

afulinara: lion, witch, and wardrobe was the first book in the series. it may not be first chronologically, but i believe it was written first. besides, starting with 'The Magician's Nephew' might be a little confusing for the kiddies.
 
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Direcrux
7:16PM on 11/14/2007 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Now i've always thought a DBZ movie was a bad idea. It just can't work as a movie, period. Not without an artery busting amount of cheesiness added in.

But Chatwin as Goku? Come on. Worst casting choice ever.

Goku is a fairly muscle-y, large-ish guy, what're they gonna do give Chatin steroids? This movie was doomed before it even began, but this casting choice ...
Now i've always thought a DBZ movie was a bad idea. It just can't work as a movie, period. Not without an artery busting amount of cheesiness added in.

But Chatwin as Goku? Come on. Worst casting choice ever.

Goku is a fairly muscle-y, large-ish guy, what're they gonna do give Chatin steroids? This movie was doomed before it even began, but this casting choice just buried and stuck and cross in it
 
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Rebel Devil
4:06PM on 11/14/2007 Add as a friend | MFC profile
As much as I love James Marsters and hope he makes it in movies, I can't allow this movie to be made. Justin Chatwin as Goku is the worst casting decision I have ever witnessed. Screw boycotting, we have to slap some sense into anyone involved with this film. If they're not gonna do it right, they shouldn't do it.
As much as I love James Marsters and hope he makes it in movies, I can't allow this movie to be made. Justin Chatwin as Goku is the worst casting decision I have ever witnessed. Screw boycotting, we have to slap some sense into anyone involved with this film. If they're not gonna do it right, they shouldn't do it.
 
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offspring311
9:02AM on 11/14/2007 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Why?
Horrible idea all around. So, Peter Dinklage as Chauzu then?
Horrible idea all around. So, Peter Dinklage as Chauzu then?
 
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HessenRoots
6:08AM on 11/14/2007 Add as a friend | MFC profile
never seen it
Whats the Difference between Dragonball, Dragonball Z and any other variation on the theme? I think I was a bit too old when the trend kicked in so I've got no idea who they are or why they have such spikey hair.

If this makes even a few bucks it could open the door for the long awaited live action Pokemon movie though, I know we'd all be happy to see that.
Whats the Difference between Dragonball, Dragonball Z and any other variation on the theme? I think I was a bit too old when the trend kicked in so I've got no idea who they are or why they have such spikey hair.

If this makes even a few bucks it could open the door for the long awaited live action Pokemon movie though, I know we'd all be happy to see that.
 
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afulinara
1:54AM on 11/14/2007 Add as a friend | MFC profile
So, why not just start with Dragonball? The same question i had with Narnia, "Why start with The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe?"

How will they achieve the over-the-top spikey hair? And how will anyone take white guys with japanese names seriously? And how will anyone take one look at a pickely green "Spike" and not break out in laughter? lmfao. Oh well, we'll see. Im not as m...
So, why not just start with Dragonball? The same question i had with Narnia, "Why start with The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe?"

How will they achieve the over-the-top spikey hair? And how will anyone take white guys with japanese names seriously? And how will anyone take one look at a pickely green "Spike" and not break out in laughter? lmfao. Oh well, we'll see. Im not as much of a fan of the series as to preach "Oh no, leave this masterpiece alone!" But im extremely curious and anxious to see how they will (or wont) pull this off.
 
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Dask
12:28AM on 11/14/2007 Add as a friend | MFC profile
There is a very good reason this movie hasn't been made. It shouldn't be! I love the series, but it won't work live-action. It can't. The characters weren't designed to be played by actors. Leave it animated, or don't bother at all.
There is a very good reason this movie hasn't been made. It shouldn't be! I love the series, but it won't work live-action. It can't. The characters weren't designed to be played by actors. Leave it animated, or don't bother at all.
 
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Zeon636
12:02AM on 11/14/2007 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Please... no.
There is no way this is going to be good.
I have been (am) a DBZ nut for many years. There is no possible way it could be made into a compelling live action movie.
WELL I guess it's a go, so here's hoping.
There is no way this is going to be good.
I have been (am) a DBZ nut for many years. There is no possible way it could be made into a compelling live action movie.
WELL I guess it's a go, so here's hoping.
 
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NINJARTIST
11:58PM on 11/13/2007 Add as a friend | MFC profile
ORANGE PARACHUTE PANTS!
My friends used to watch this while I waited patiently for Toonami to play reruns of Batman... If the flick is to be anything like the show, they'll need at least ten movies to accomplish anything (if the show ever went anywhere).

Still, it could be entertaining, as I seem to recall characters launching massive blasts of energy at each other. Plus, the director did "The One," whi...
My friends used to watch this while I waited patiently for Toonami to play reruns of Batman... If the flick is to be anything like the show, they'll need at least ten movies to accomplish anything (if the show ever went anywhere).

Still, it could be entertaining, as I seem to recall characters launching massive blasts of energy at each other. Plus, the director did "The One," which was decent, mindless fun.
 
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daywatch
11:56PM on 11/13/2007 Add as a friend | MFC profile
I have a very bad feeling about this.....I wonder why they don't get some japanese actors to do this.
I have a very bad feeling about this.....I wonder why they don't get some japanese actors to do this.
 
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gaijin
11:48PM on 11/13/2007 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Dangerously Sharp Hairstyles Indeed!
I loved watching the anime when it was first shown years ago... but as far as giving this thing a "live-action" treatment borders on outright silliness. I seem to remember some schmoe here at JoBlo replying to an earlier post about this particular upcoming flick that it would be better if they made it CGI... I have to agree with that. but still, I'd probably still see it although I have huge do...
I loved watching the anime when it was first shown years ago... but as far as giving this thing a "live-action" treatment borders on outright silliness. I seem to remember some schmoe here at JoBlo replying to an earlier post about this particular upcoming flick that it would be better if they made it CGI... I have to agree with that. but still, I'd probably still see it although I have huge doubts that this will translate well outside of the anime medium.