Dragonball Z

[Watashi]

Emmy Rossum has joined the cast of 20th Century Fox's live-action adaptation of the popular Japanese comic "Dragonball."

"Heroes" actress Eriko Tamura, who plays Mai, and newcomer Joon Park, who plays bad boy Yamcha, are also coming aboard the film.

Rossum, who starred in "The Phantom of the Opera," joins a cast that includes Justin Chatwin, James Marsters and Jamie Chung.

The sci-fi adventure is being directed by James Wong. Stephen Chow, the filmmaker behind "Kung Fu Hustle" and "Shaolin Soccer," is producing.

Rossum's credits include "Poseidon," "Mystic River" and "The Day After Tomorrow." She recently released the album, "Inside Out," on Geffen Records and has a bundle of Christmas music available on iTunes.

Rossum is repped by CAA and Benderspink.

Tamura is repped by McKeon-Myones Entertainment and the law firm of Jackoway Tyerman.

Park is a former member of the Korean pop group G.O.D., one of the highest-selling acts in Asia. His credits include the upcoming film "Speed Racer" where he plays a Yakuza driver. He is repped by Essential Talent Management in Los Angeles and JYP Entertainment in

Still can't believe this film is being made. I wonder if they go all "Speed Racer" with it and make it cartoonish as possible.

[Sycophant]

I know virtually nothing about Dragonball Z other than, really, people making fun of its clichés (nicely or not), but for some reason (okay, it's Chow) this film is one I'm anticipating more than just about anything else right now.

[Rowland]

but for some reason (okay, it's Chow) this film is one I'm anticipating more than just about anything else right now.But he's only producing.

[Sycophant]

But he's only producing.That's enough for me.

[KK2.0]

But he's only producing.


But thinking further, in a hollywood feature, producers actually have more control over the movie than directors so, perhaps he's in the right position to interfere.

Just like Speed Racer, it's a bad idea to turn this into a live-action feature but i'm dead curious to see how it will turn.

[Sycophant]

The fact that Chow is apparently a drooling DBZ fanboy makes me happy. And for Hollywood debuts, Hong Kong directors haven't historically done so well jumping into the director's chair, so I think this is a good route for him to take. I mean... he is the biggest name attached to the project and probably ultimately has more control than anyone.

[MadMan]

I don't know about this. However I do remember enjoying the show back when I was in middle school....

[Watashi]

Goddammit, now I have to see this movie.


Chow Yun-Fat will star in 20th Century Fox's live-action adaptation of Dragonball, says The Hollywood Reporter.

Chow will play Master Roshi. He rounds out a cast that includes Justin Chatwin, James Marsters, Emmy Rossum and Jamie Chung.

Dragonball is shooting in Mexico City and Los Angeles.

The film, directed by James Wong, follows Goku (Chatwin), a warrior alien who protects the Earth from an endless stream of rogues bent on dominating the universe and controlling mystical objects known as Dragon Balls. Stephen Chow is producing.

Master Roshi is Goku's mentor, helping him achieve the highest state of fighting and spiritual powers.

[EvilShoe]

This has Bulletproof Monk written all over it.

[Wryan]

/spends 28 minutes and two commercial breaks charging up Pangaea-sized orb of elemental power and releases it at sartorially-inclined opponent

...

+7 dmg

[MadMan]

/spends 28 minutes and two commercial breaks charging up Pangaea-sized orb of elemental power and releases it at sartorially-inclined opponent

...

+7 dmgThrow in the screaming, the cries of "Nooooo!!!!" or "It can't be!!!!" plus lots of scenes where the hero and the villain float in mid air while dueling and you've got the rest of the show.

[Rowland]

Wait, this is the James Wong who directed The One? :lol:

[MadMan]

Wait, this is the James Wong who directed The One? :lol:That's the flick with Jet Li fighting himself right? That's not good news considering just how much that flick really sucked.

[number8]

Justin Chatwin as Goku:

http://blogs.hoycinema.com/myfiles/movieland/dbzmex1.jpg

[Wryan]

Justin Chatwin as Goku:

http://blogs.hoycinema.com/myfiles/movieland/dbzmex1.jpg

Yup! This'll work!

[Sycophant]

Delayed to April 3, 2009.

I'm stupid for actually having hopes for this movie, aren't I?

[MadMan]

Delayed to April 3, 2009.

I'm stupid for actually having hopes for this movie, aren't I?Nope. I'll probably see it, either on the big screen or via rental.

[Skitch]

I still haven't gotten season 4...grrrrr...

[Qrazy]

That's enough for me.

I find using producers as a barometer for film potential almost always falls short of the mark.

[EyesWideOpen]

http://dbthemovie.com/gallery/albums/official/gokuposter.jpeg

[EyesWideOpen]

No one cares about the first Dragonball movie poster? What is wrong with you people?

[Grouchy]

It's incredible that this movie is being made. So was Speed Racer when you think about it.

There was already a Japanese live-action Dragon Ball movie, though. I came across it on TV once or twice. It's one of those that destroy brain cells, though. I wonder if we'll remember this one like we remember something like the Super Mario Bros. movie with John Leguizamo and Dennis Hopper.

[Stay Puft]

No one cares about the first Dragonball movie poster? What is wrong with you people?

I've also witnessed this nightmare, which has numbed the senses:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v409/BronsonBeliever/44319.jpg

And yet, I might just be there opening night. I can only hope for Super Mario Bros. levels of entertainment.

[Wryan]

Legends better stop coming to life or I'm gonna start bashing heads.

[eternity]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jp6NQH0dC0k

This looks even worse than I could imagine.

[chrisnu]

I have seen the Devil, and his name is Dragonball (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HxVJ1YKFRfw).

[D_Davis]

I love that they kept her name as Bulma, I wonder if they know what it means?

[number8]

I love that they kept her name as Bulma, I wonder if they know what it means?

What, you want them to rename her "Panties"?

[Thirdmango]

Awesome, I love the show, gonna love the movie.

[Skitch]

You know how bad a movie has to look for me to be disappointed?

Damn.


Still see it, but damn.

[D_Davis]

What, you want them to rename her "Panties"?

Exactly.

[EyesWideOpen]

New Dragonball trailer. The movie has been retitled Dragonball Evolution. This movie is gonna be awesome.


http://www.joblo.com/dragonball-trailer

[Stay Puft]

:eek:

I still can't believe this project exists.

[Sycophant]

This movie is going to tank in America, isn't it?

But I'll be giving it $10.

[lovejuice]

pictures (http://www.latinoreview.com/news/scratch-your-dragonballs-with-all-of-these-new-pics-new-video-clip-6245).

kinda weird. looks more power-ranger-like than dbz-like.

[Dukefrukem]

None of those images are raising my interest. And I watched Dragonball Z.

[number8]

I dunno, that's about what I'd expect a Dragon Ball movie to look.

Are Americans only familiar with Dragon Ball Z and not the original?

[megladon8]

This looks really, really horrible.

Is there a reason why they have a white guy playing Goku? I never watched the show - was he white in the show?

Also, on top of him being white, he also has a constant deer-caught-in-the-headlights look on his face.

[number8]

Is there a reason why they have a white guy playing Goku? I never watched the show - was he white in the show?

It takes place in a fantasy world. He's about as Asian as Frodo Baggins is white, if you get my meaning.

In any case, he's an alien.

[Skitch]

I dunno, that's about what I'd expect a Dragon Ball movie to look.

Are Americans only familiar with Dragon Ball Z and not the original?


Since I probably be banned by morning, I'm just gonna go there.

1. Mr. 8, while I've always enjoyed your posts, for the most part, I've always found you unintentianly condescending, and arrogant. That being said, I still manage to thoroughly enjoy every one of your posts, dispite disagreeing with you most of the time.

2. I vehemently defend the majority of bad films packed with badass special effects.

3. I completely agree with you here.

Dragonball the live action feature should be completely up my alley, but everything I've seen about it so far...fuck me...UGH. I am familiar with the series. This looks awful, and thats coming from a douchebag that defends Daredevil to this day. I pray I'm wrong...somehow...but I can't fathom this being anything but a steaming pile.

[number8]

At least you know that it's unintentional.

I'm genuinely curious though, because I have no idea. Was the original ever become popular here, or did they jump straight into DBZ?

[Sycophant]

From my understanding, the original Dragon Ball series was not very popular over here in the States. Wikipedia tells me that it was aired a few times by different companies but apparently never even completed a run until after DBZ became popular. I knew of Dragon Ball Z from some friends and relatives (never actually watched it myself) starting in the late nineties. It seems to have been the most popular and was seemingly the first (and often only) exposure most Americans have had to the series.

[number8]

That's the problem right there. People are expecting this to be a DBZ movie. But it's not.

[Qrazy]

Since I probably be banned by morning, I'm just gonna go there.

1. Mr. 8, while I've always enjoyed your posts, for the most part, I've always found you unintentianly condescending, and arrogant. That being said, I still manage to thoroughly enjoy every one of your posts, dispite disagreeing with you most of the time.

2. I vehemently defend the majority of bad films packed with badass special effects.

3. I completely agree with you here.

Dragonball the live action feature should be completely up my alley, but everything I've seen about it so far...fuck me...UGH. I am familiar with the series. This looks awful, and thats coming from a douchebag that defends Daredevil to this day. I pray I'm wrong...somehow...but I can't fathom this being anything but a steaming pile.

Sober up.

[lovejuice]

i really dislike this serie and always associate it to anything bad and rotten about anime/manga. so in theory, i couldn't care less about the adaptation.

but deep inside, i know there's potentially a good story there. i can't see it happen though.

[Skitch]

Sober up.

Drink more.

[Qrazy]

Drink more.

I drink enough.

[D_Davis]

DB > DBZ

I have a DB movie on VHS, only in Japanese, where Goku fights Frankenstein - and it is AWESOME.

Amazing animation as well. I wish it would come out here on DVD, with subs.

I always enjoyed the original DB series because it was more closely connected to Chinese mythology, and it was more fun, more of a grand adventure, and not just a series of never-ending fights.

I also remember playing the NES game made by Bandai, although they changed the name when they localized it. I was in elementary school when it came out, and I discovered it was actually called Dragon Ball, thus my interest in the series was sparked. It was a very cool adventure game ala Zelda.

[lovejuice]

db is a really good show. very creative. dbz, on the other hand, is toriyama akira inventing newer and newer foes and some lame-ass reason why he's stronger than the last (who's supposed to be the strongest persona in the universe and shit.) then another even lamer way for goku to improve his skill.

[Kurosawa Fan]

Trailer (http://www.apple.com/trailers/fox/dragonballevolution/)

[megladon8]

Trailer (http://www.apple.com/trailers/fox/dragonballevolution/)


Jamie Chung is pretty cute.

[Sycophant]

I just realized that Justin Chatwin looks a hell of a lot like this (very good) local actor 'round here.

I'll probably regret being so pumped for this movie, but I am so pumped for this movie.

[number8]

DB > DBZ

I have a DB movie on VHS, only in Japanese, where Goku fights Frankenstein - and it is AWESOME.

Amazing animation as well. I wish it would come out here on DVD, with subs.

I always enjoyed the original DB series because it was more closely connected to Chinese mythology, and it was more fun, more of a grand adventure, and not just a series of never-ending fights.

I also remember playing the NES game made by Bandai, although they changed the name when they localized it. I was in elementary school when it came out, and I discovered it was actually called Dragon Ball, thus my interest in the series was sparked. It was a very cool adventure game ala Zelda.

Plus, it was actually about the dragon balls, which Toriyama seems to have forgotten once he introduced Vegeta. It was a fun adventure, collecting the balls and running into silly foes and all.

I don't think what you have is a movie, though, maybe a collection of episodes. I remember that storyline, where Goku's trying to go up a castle Game of Death style and every level has a different foe. Frankenstein's monster was one of them. Then there's a Star Wars-style monster in a trapdoor.

The funniest, though, is this terribly hapless ninja, who would perform ninjutsu incompetently--like hiding behind a camouflage cloth, only he would have it backwards so instead of a wall print, he's on the wall holding up an American flag.

[Skitch]

Roommate got season 7 today. Sweeeeeet.

[lovejuice]

I don't think what you have is a movie, though, maybe a collection of episodes. I remember that storyline, where Goku's trying to go up a castle Game of Death style and every level has a different foe...

ahh....good time. that tower is actually part of the main storyline, goku versus "the red ribbon," the military group with color-named generals: White, Blue, Red, Black and Brown. that tower's belong to general White. The episodes with Blue are kinda cool since they have to go underwater/underground to hunt for the ball, and General Blue is a psychic-mind-reading gayman.

damn Vegeta! damn toriyama akira. and damn the popularity!

[[ETM]]

damn Vegeta!

That name has always been hilarious to me, since it's the name of a very famous brand of vegetable seasoning in these parts:
http://www.coffeeandvanilla.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2007/08/vegeta-2.jpg

[lovejuice]

;142546']That name has always been hilarious to me, since it's the name of a very famous brand of vegetable seasoning in these parts:


just so you know, almost every character in db/dbz is named after food. so, yes, vegeta is "vegetable." the japanese name of "goku" is "gohan" which means "meal." the same is also true for akira's previous work, "dr. slump."

[[ETM]]

Indeed, it's just that our word for "vegetable" doesn't even resemble the English one, so unlike the Japanese ones, this one makes me "lol" infinitely.
It's the level of brand name recognition of, say, "ipod" for "mp3 player".

[lovejuice]

so anyone plans on seeing this? we seem to have more fun speculating about it than actually watching it.

and it looks like crap.

[Sycophant]

Saw this this afternoon. Yeah, it was pretty bad.

Not offensively bad. But everything moves along too fast and plot points and character motivations just aren't supported. 84 minutes is not enough to convey an epic story like this.

There was some middle-aged goober three seats away from me who laughed way too hard at everything in this movie.

There's a part of me, though, that's pretty happy that this bizarre thing is going to be a part of the cultural vocabulary for this generation's children.

[lovejuice]

this thing sure tanks hard on the box office. is anyone surprise?

[Thirdmango]

I should probably throw in my two cents on this one. Note that before I start I am probably the biggest fan of the original Dragonball series on this here Match Cut. After all I do own the first 5 manga books and plan on getting them all once I can find them and have money at the same time.

This movie was really fun but it was very loosely based on the original source material. It worked at first but near the end it fell apart. Of course I doubt anyone could really like this movie having had no prior influence of Dragonball in their life. It doesn't really explain things well enough and it leaves a bunch of major characters out. In fact the whole Goku becoming the monkey wasn't even mentioned until he became the monkey.

I should probably say it like this, I liked it because I already loved the source material, but if I hadn't I can't imagine myself liking the movie. Low expectations are key for this one.

[Skitch]

I'll probably catch a matinee today.