http://www.comicbookmovie.com/fansites/portals/news/?a=10843
Talk about jumping the gun!
My best guess is that the first one won't hit the hoped-for numbers, thus making a potential franchise far from a given. I mean, even factoring-in the world market we're still talking about residuals for the not-cheap Hollywood voice cast.
An' the other thing? Toys haven't hit yet and the flick hits in two weeks -- what's up with that? Resident Target Troll Fran will be on that literally as it rolls off the trucks, and I expect a full, squealing fanboy review as soon as he gets internet back (can you believe I helped his ass move yet AGAIN?)
P.S. Anyone got the 411 on Imagi's Gatchaman flick?!?!?
7 comments:
I guess there's some money in it somewhere if they're talking sequel. Or something. Odds are the movie will make good money on DVD/Blu Ray because they can market it to the video babysitter crowd which is pretty big. Face it, everybody was once a cartoon devouring kid.
The DVD/Blu Ray video market always saves a movie's bacon, to the point where sequels these days have become no-brainers. But it seems like Imagi is really kinda hurtin' and needing a big return from this one before they do anything else.
What surprises me is not that they'll market this to the babysitter set but that they're not doing more to market to older generations -- Gen X and Late Boomers, that's the true demographic imho. I mean even if it irks some of us for being less than accurate per the original Tezuka rendition, I know there will be many more who will see it as great for their kids and especially grandkids. The only ads I've seen have been on Adult Swim, but that's the only T.V. I watch (specifically King of the Hill).
I've seen the trailers playing on Nick, Disney and Cartoon network. So they're aiming young. And that makes sense. But you're right, you'd think they'd have some marketing aimed at the demographic that actually grew up with the original Astro Boy, i.e. us and older.
Then again, maybe we're over thinking it. It's a given that ones that grew up with Astro are gonna want to share it with their kids. If nothing else this movie should help Right Stuf and move a few DVD sets of the 60s and 80s shows. That is if they can get them on the shelves at Walmart and Target at the right price point.
Are they making toys for this? I was surprised that they're making the video game as an after thought. You'd think that'd be a no brainer.
Toys and video games are definitely a no-brainer with Astro.
> That is if they can get them on the shelves at Walmart and Target at the right price point.
TRS *could* clean up with retail placements like that, and Lord knows they've got backstock. I'd love for there to be a knock-on effect, here. I'd love it even more if this brought a new focus on Tezuka's work! But you can't really expect that much these days with our Twitter and Facebook attention spans...
Right Stuf has alright screwed the pooch. Those two "Mini Collections" of the 60s show are priced at $50 each. Not exactly in the realm of an impulse purchase if you ask me. A real missed opportunity. Then again, you can get the 80s box set for under $30. And the Sony box set for under $20. Much more in line with what I was thinking of.
I had bookmarked a blog that had some nice development art for the Gatchman movie, but I can't find it now.
Again, why make a Gatchaman movie?
Gatchaman is good stuff, one of my favorites, but I hear ya. I thought Tatsunoko Jumped the Shark with the franchise after the dull 1990s remake, leading to a dim future for franchise and remakes.
The development art looked so good that I was interested in seeing more, but from what I've heard the Astro Boy film took precedent and the remaining momentum was lost when the market tanked last fall.
The other thing? Over the years I've heard a lot of people say "Well duh, Gatchaman is *really* a Toku show done as anime, so it NEEDS to have a live action version!", but I'm not so sure -- what classic T.V. program needs let alone benefits from a live action vs. cartoon rendition (did it work for "Gilligan's Planet"?) On the other hand, if it worked for Speed Racer and Yatterman....
Post a Comment