Ask a typical American about Japan, and the response will usually involve automobiles, sushi, and Godzilla--fairly trivial nuggets of information. But if one of those Americans asked happens to be under 25 years of age, he'll probably gush about Dragon Ball.
The wildly popular Dragon Ball franchise began as a Japanese manga in the mid-1980s in Japan, but has spread across the world and into other media such as video games, card games, and multiple animated television series. Soon, the franchise will topple one of the last forms of entertainment that has eluded it: a live-action film translation.
A Dragon Ball movie will be produced by 20th Century Fox and, if all goes according to plan, will hit theaters on August 18, 2008, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Justin Chatwin, who played Tom Cruise's son in War of the Worlds, will star as the popular main character Son Goku. Playing the film's villain will be James Marsters, best known as Spike from Buffy the Vampire Slayer. James Wong (Final Destination) will direct, and Stephen "Kung Fu Hustle" Chow will produce.
The story follows the superpowered alien Goku, who is sent to Earth as an infant to take the planet over. However, upon realizing his species' intent, Goku has a change of heart and opts to protect the planet from extraterrestrial attacks.
Chatwin's other roles include a pot-dealing gay teen on Weeds, a pot-growing hitchhiker on Lost, and SuperBabies: Baby Geniuses 2, which isn't tolerable even with insane amounts of pot. Marsters, whose hotness is apparent even without insane amounts of pot, was also featured on Buffy spin-off Angel, as well as Smallville.
The Dragonball franchise has produced several shows, including Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball GT, and the massively popular Dragon Ball Z.
Comments (111)
Hell naw this fools gonna ruin db's good name!
I wanted this movie but i dont know about live action,its the exact same thing there doing with avatar and there gonna simply ruin both of them.
Btw does anyone know where i can watch the old db episodes plz send me a message.
I have been waiting in anticipation for a few years for DBZ to come onto the big screen, I believe that they are really going to pull this one off, it doesnt matter who plays Goku. And I feel that even if we are going to be watching the same things that we have seen in the series, there is no way they will be able to put everything into one movie, so this is great, this could lead to a really good and ongoing movie saga. I mean, just think of the special effects that they can come up with. I cant wait for this to hit the cinemas.
Horrible idea
This movie is a terrible idea!! Hollywood is ruining everything!
I am not sure about this guy being Goku but I said that about Hugh Jackman before X-Men came out. So you never know, I'll go see it cause I was a big DragonBall fan never care too much for DBZ or GT Goku and the rest just got horribly over powered. So I unlike the fair weather DB fans out there look foward to seeing this.
have a nice day
Jackie Chan should play Goku, he is fan of the show, and the creator is a fan of his.
This movie is either going to be really bad or really good. Yes the DBZ series is over, but this live action movie might spark up something great. If they are able to make the actors look like the characters in DBZ and are able to get the special effects down, the movie will be good. I believe all DBZ fans should go see this movie. Those who are saying they don't want to ruin their DBZ memories by seeing the movie are already showing negative vibes towards the movie. Just go see it. If its bad so what. You still will always be able to watch DBZ episodes and movies again. One thing thats certain is if the movie does well, they will have to think about making another movie. They are only including the days when piccolo was goku's rival. But we all know that DBZ fans want to see the cell and majin buu sagas and at least the saiyan saga.moreless
i think people are getting a little unnecessarily carried away with things like the casting seeing as tho it's due 2 release in 9 months, calista flockheart could play the part with the right diet and trainingbut again i agree with all of the pesimistswhen i was younger i would rush home 2 watch an episode of (my prefered) dragonball z, in school we would even fight over who could do the best kahmehameyai don't know if i'll watch this, i'll really want 2 but i just don't want it 2 spoil my fond childhood memories and love for it
Well, I don't know what to say, I thought this was a good idea a few years ago, but now that I think about it, it seems weird. USE A LOT OF GEL, JUSTIN.
Fox is stupid, what is this the 90's............STUPID
All I can say is finally! However I was really into DBZ when I was like 13 and when I first heard about the movie I was probably only a little older than that. It had been in development hell for so long I sorta lost interest in it but I’ll see it anyways...
Dumbest Idea EVER
I've had a bit of a difficult time following all the plot twists in the t.v. series. Hopefully this movie will be straightforward. I'm not familiar with the main actor.
The main problem that this movie is going to face, which is what most remakes of TV series face, is the fact that all the older fans of DBZ, which the movie should really be targetted towards, is going to spend most of the movie comparing it to the animated series. DBZ, while still a great anime, is past its time to make a live action movie, and should really just stick to been animated anyway. I get the feeling the special effects like flying and energy blasts will be totally lame. Hopefully I am wrong...
As much of a Dragonball and DBZ fan as I was in the late 90's... this isn't the 90's anymore. I was hoping most fans of this series had moved on to bigger and better anime... but I guess there's enough left (maybe overseas?) for this to make sense :(
Not an big fan of DB.But I will check this live action one out.I doubt I wouldn't liked this live action movie.
maybe ill watch it
that justin guy as goku? i've never seen him, but how can they put that thing as the most powerful life form in the universe?! as i thought this will suck
Not a big Anime or DB fan (& thats putting it mildly) so i doubt i'll be seeing it
i hate cartoon to live action it ruins it. this would be amazing if it was a cartoon still in theaters and maybe new stuff this is just going to be a crappy remake of wat weve already seen.
Let's just hope it turns out good.
I think all the weeaboos in America just orgasmed
Justin Chatwin was lame in "The Invisables" and I've never liked James Marsters... I hate him on Buffy...
But I will for sure check out the DB Movie, how can I not?
As soon as I found out it was the kid from War of the Worlds, I knew another franchise will be ruined by bad casting. James Marsters yes, the WOW kid, no!
Whatever, I will be dissapointed reguardless.
LOL! Justin Chatwin as Goku eh? They should have picked a better actor to play Goku hes gonna ruin Dragonball for sure sheesh! oh well see how well hes gonna do for the role as Goku when dragonball comes out.
Worst idea ever.
omg...awfull.....the worst casting everr.. XD
wow... I'm not really much for live action movies.
Since when was Goku white?
i think they shuld get rid of those gay shows like foster, pokemon,camp lazlo, and all that other crap and put dragon ball, dragon ballz,and dragon ball Gt,back on the air. And they should show the movies more often.And they should show zoids again.and they should put toonami back on the air around 4:00 P.M.
This is a Dragonball movie notr DBZ.Chatwin will play 18 year old GokuMasters will play Piccolobetter movie news sites tell u this...like CHUD
Let's not forget other Japanese creations to movie attempts that were supposed to be "amazing". There was Mortal Kombat which wasn't too bad but they should have stopped at the first. Also, as others have mentioned, the other Dragonball...no comment. And who can forget the "Muscles-from-Brussels" playing all-American Gile in Street Fighter. Oh, yeah, there was also Double Dragon with Robert Patrick with really bad hair...what's next?? Fighting Fury, Macross (Robotech), or (please may this never happen) Astroboy. Hollywood usually makes a mess moving from animated to live action.
The best thing of Dragon Ball is the way you can watch how the characters grow stronger, with time and training. It will no make any sense if they start with an adult Goku that just can fly, move to high speed and make kame-hame-has. I love this series but I think the movie will never make it justice.
YEY cant wait ...YATTA!!
wtf!? They cast this guy to be goku? I'd rather have my elementray school spanish teacher play him. He doesn't look anything like goku! I mean no amount of makeup is gonna help that guy.
omg i hope this movie is good and not some wierd piece of crap no1 will eva watch again
OMG!!! they are finally doing the live action movie? after much hype? hmm well it should be a massivly good one then, it better not be a let down!
i woulduve cast roger fan as goku. will yun lee/ sung kang as vegeta. just my two cents.
This'll be indeed interesting. Though if Marsters is going to play Picolo (my fave character and very fitting) WHY would he be the main villain? He was Gohan's protector in the series wasn't he? I only caught about half of DBZ so maybe at one point he was but... wahhh... strange casting for Goku though.
In the link it says Marsters will be playing Piccolo. So..he's going to be wearing a lot of makeup, and antenna.
I hope it would be a retelling of Dragon Ball, as opposed to the wretched DBZ.
OMFG! this is going to be interesting^^
I don't think they want to put everything in a movie, that's impossible! I think only one saga will be implemented.
Also the fact that there will be a movie of this series now proves the success, so for the maker of DBZ, this is aan honor even if it will suck.
I can't wait to see it!
It could be a good news to make a DragonBall Z live-action movie. I can't wait to see it.
I agree with the pesimists. There is no way that it can live up to the animated series. I merely hope that it's "okay." And honestly this kid isn't even bult like Goku... God I hope it's not cheesy...
I strongly belive they should of gave the role to a proper fan who will know everything and how to act it out as the best possible way.. not sum american reject.