Dragonball Evolution Trailer Tease
Dune Entertainment Film Stars Justin Chatwin as Son Goku
Jan 17, 2009
Yes, it's another live action anime coming to the big screen in the spring of 2009. James Wong and Dune Entertainment are currently producing Dragonball Evolution, a live action film based on the world famous Dragonball manga series written by Akira Toriyama. Toriyama has watched his creation grace the world of animation and enthrall countless numbers of fanatics, and now he can see his characters portrayed by live actors with a very large special effects budget.
This live action movie has been a long time coming. Talk of it has floated around anime conventions since the mid-nineties. Now that it is here, it will be interesting to observe how it will captivate the anime fans and what new fanbase will join the masses.
The movie's website has posted the most recent trailer for viewing enjoyment.
Justin Chatwin, Chow Yun-Fat, and James Marsters Star in Dragonball Evolution
Dragonball Evolution is loosely based on the original Dragonball series, not Dragonball Z. It begins with the origin of the Dragonballs and then moves to young Goku (without his famous tail) still living with his grandfather, Gohan. His grandfather's last request was for Goku to find the great Master Roshi and with his help, uncover all seven of the legendary Dragonballs. Of course, he can't go on this journey without Bulma, who is quite a bit tougher than she was in the anime. This means she probably won't be as useless or as much of a comic relief either.
However, they aren't the only ones searching for the Dragonballs. The evil Lord Piccolo is also out to find them since the orbs will grant unlimited power to whoever collects them all, and with that power, he can take over the world. So Goku's mission: find the Dragonballs before Piccolo does and save the world.
Justin Chatwin stars as the spikey-haired hero Goku, martial arts star Chow Yun-Fat will play Master Roshi, and James Marsters will be Lord Piccolo. Ernie Hudson also makes an appearance as Master Mutaito. For those wondering which other Dragonball favorites will also grace the big screen, IMDB.com lists Yamcha, Chi Chi, and Mai (although there is no Emperor Pilaf listed, so one can only wonder what this Mai will be doing).
Twentieth Century Fox and Star Overseas to Distribute Dune Entertainment Film
One thing anime and manga fans will be sure to notice (and probably loudly point out) is that the film is not like the written or animated series. But they should take some solace in that Chatwin sports Goku's crazy hairstyle and then get excited when they see Goku get in his stance to form a Kamehameha. The trailer definitely shows that the writers have taken plenty of liberty with the story's background, but they kept all of the same corny action from the manga and the animation. However, this difference is a bonus for viewers who have never read or seen Dragonball before, in that they won't have to know anything about the series to possibly enjoy the live action film.
From the trailer alone, the movie really could go either way. It could be a huge success or fail to the Dragonball fans and fail to capture new fans. Most likely, it will be a corny live action version of a corny and outdated action manga, following the footsteps of the live action movie Speed Racer.
It will hit Japan first, of course, on March 13th and then open across the United States on April 8th.
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