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SUMMITENTERTAINMENTANDIMAGISTUDIOSPRESENT

STARRING

FREDDIEHIGHMORE,KRISTENBELL,NATHANLANE,EUGENELEVY,MATTLUCAS,BILLNIGHY,DONALDSUTHERLANDANDNICOLASCAGEAS"DR.TENMA"

"ASTROBOY"MANGACREATEDBYTEZUKAOSAMUDIRECTEDBYDAVIDBOWERSSTORYBYDAVIDBOWERS

WRITTENBYTIMOTHYHARRISANDDAVIDBOWERS

Forsales,pleasecontact:InCannes:2laCroisettePenthouseDuplex,5thFloorCannes06400Tel:+33(0)497069023SantaMonica:1630StewartSt.,St.120SantaMonica,CATel:3103098400Fax:3108284132U.K.:77DeanStreetLondonW1D3SHTel:+442074941724Fax:+442074941725

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Setinthefuture,AstroBoyisaclassicsuperherooriginstory.Theall‐new,CGanimatedfeaturefilmtellsthestoryofayoungrobotwithincrediblepowersandhisadventure‐filledjourneyinsearchofhisidentityanddestiny.PresentedbySummitEntertainmentandImagiStudios,AstroBoyisdirectedbyDavidBowers(FlushedAway)andstarsFreddieHighmore(TheSpiderwickChronicles,CharlieandtheChocolateFactory),KristenBell(“Heroes,”“VeronicaMars”,ForgettingSarahMarshall),NathanLane(TheLionKing,TheBirdcage),EugeneLevy(OvertheHedge,AmericanPie),MattLucas(ShaunoftheDead),BillNighy(FlushedAway,PiratesoftheCaribbean),DonaldSutherland(Fool’sGold,TheItalianJob),SamuelL.Jackson(LakeviewTerrace,Unthinkable)andNicolasCage(G­Force,NationalTreasure,TheAntBully)as“Dr.Tenma”.WithascreenplaybyTimothyHarris(KindergartenCop,SpaceJam,TradingPlaces)andDavidBowers,fromastorybyBowers,thefilmisbasedon“AstroBoy,”themangacreatedbyOsamuTezuka.ProducerisMaryannGarger(FlushedAway).CecilKramer(Wallace&GromitTheCurseoftheWere­Rabbit),KenTsumura(CuriousGeorge),PaulWang(TMNT)andFrancisKao(TMNT)areexecutiveproducers.MusicisbyJohnOttman(Valkyrie).InthefuturisticworldofMetroCity,agleamingmetropolisinthesky,thebrilliantscientistDr.TenmacreatesAstroBoytoreplacethesonhehaslost,programminghiscreationwiththebestofhumancharacteristicsandvalues,aswellasendowinghimwithextraordinarysuperpowers.Castoutwhenhecannotmeetthegrievingfather’sexpectations,AstroBoyisdealtacrueldoubleblow–heisalsocrushedtolearnheisarobot,notevenahumanbeing.AstroBoy,whocarrieswithinhimselftheBlueCore,apowersourcemadeofpositive“blue”energy,issoughtoutbythetroopsofthemilitaristicPresidentStone,obsessedwithobtainingtheCoreforthe“Peacekeeper”robot,infactinventedtobeusedasaweapontodominateEarth.Fleeingfromthemilitary,AstroBoycrashestothesurfaceoftheEarth.Lostandunsureofhisidentity,AstroBoysimplyseekstofitin.Denyinghistruenature,hetriestopasshimselfoffasahumanbeingwithagangofchild‐vagabonds.HefallsnaivelyundertheswayoftheirleaderHamegg,inwhomheseesafatherfigure.ToAstroBoy’shorror,Hameggexposeshimasarobotandtriestoturnhimintoarobot‐gladiator.IntheBattlebotarena,AstroBoyisforcedtofacewaveuponwaveofrobots.Refusingtofight,butonlydisablinghisopponentwhenthesafetyofspectatorsisthreatened,AstroBoy’snobilitywinsthecrowdover.AlertedbytheCore’spowersurge,themilitaryswoopsdownandcapturesAstroBoy,whoresignshimselftohisfate.AsDr.Tenma,themanwhocreatedhim,removeshisenergysource,AstroBoyforgiveshimforwhatheisdoing.ThisdisplayofinnategoodnessfinallyopensDr.Tenma’seyestotheterriblemistakehehasmade.Reconciledtothesonhehadwronglyrejected,heallowsAstroBoytoescape.ThedestructivePeacekeeper,whichhasbeengiventheincrediblydangerousnegativeRedCoreenergybypresidentialorder,isoutofcontrolandcausinghavocinMetroCity.AstroBoyreturnstohelpthecitizens,fightingthePeacekeeperandsavingMetroCityfromcrashingtoEarth.Intheclimacticbattle,thestrandsofthestorycometogetherasAstroBoyacceptshismixedhuman‐robotnatureandfindshisdestinyasmankind’ssavoir.

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ABOUTTHEPRODUCTION

FewanimatedcharactershavemadeaspowerfuloraslastinganimpressiononinternationalpopularcultureasAstroBoy.Thelittlerobotfirstappearedin1951asacharacterinOsamuTezuka’slegendarymanga(Japanesecomicbook)andbecameaninstanticon.In1963,hestarredinablackandwhitetelevisionseriesproducedinJapan.Withhislargeexpressiveeyes,AstroBoybecamethestandardforanewformofanimationthathasbecomeworldfamousasanime.TheoriginalseriesalsogarneredadevotedfollowingwhenitdebutedintheU.S.thatsameyear.AstroBoycontinuedtoinspirefansina1982televisionseries,andthenagaininanAmerican‐madeseriesthatdebutedin2003.Airingin40countries,includingJapanandtheU.S.,thisthirdseriesappearedontheWBandCartoonNetwork,winningfirstplaceinitstimeslotfortwoyearsrunning.Tezukahasbeenhonouredasboththe“godofmanga”and“fatherofanime,”andAstroBoyandhiscreatorbecamesuchenormouscelebritiesintheirnativeJapanthattheyevenappearedonpostagestamps.In2004,AstroBoywasinductedintotheRobotHallofFamealongsideStarWars’C‐3POandRobbytheRobotfromForbiddenPlanet.AstroBoy’sstory,withitsthemesofdisplacementandtheneedtobelong,toucheddirectorDavidBowers.“AstroBoyisatimelessstoryinthetraditionofPinocchioorOliverTwist,”hesays.“It’sveryDickensian,butatthesametime,it’sverymodern.Heisachildcreatedtoreplacethesonthatafatherhaslost.Thefathercomestorealizethattheboycan’ttrulyreplacehislostson.Theboy,whothoughthewasarealkid,findsouthe’sarobot,andfromtherehislifejustgoescrazy.“ThinkingbacktofilmsI’velovedandthathavereallyinfluencedmeovertheyears,IrealizedthatthefirstmovieIsawinatheatrewasPinocchio,”saysBowers,ananimationveteranwhopreviouslydirectedFlushedAwayforDreamWorksandAardmanFeatures.“Myfathertookmetoseeitandithadanenormousimpact.‘WhenYouWishUponaStar’makesmecrytothisday.”Then,whenhewasresearchingAstroBoy,BowerslearnedthatOsamuTezukawashighlyinfluencedbytheworkofWaltDisney.“ItwaseasytoseewhereAstroBoycamefrom.ThereareallsortsofsimilaritieswithPinocchio—excepthe’simproveditwithgiantfightingrobots!”Stayingfaithfultotheoriginal“AstroBoy”whileupdatingitssensibilityfora21tstcenturyaudiencewasacentralconcernforeveryoneinvolvedwiththefilm,saysMaryannGarger,thefilm’sproducer.“AstroBoyisanationaltreasureinJapan.HeistheirMickeyMouse.WewantedtocreatethatsameexcitementandpassionforthecharacterinWesternaudiences.“IthinkviewerswhoknowthecharacterwillseeAstroBoy’sstoryinawaytheyhaven’tseenitbefore,”sheadds.“Ontheotherhand,ifyou’renewtoAstroBoy,it’sanincrediblyemotionalstory.It’ssortofPinocchio,butit’salsoStarWars.Andit’snotjustforkids.It’sforgrownups,too,andhopefullymoviegoersaroundtheworldwilldiscoverthat.”BowersisconfidentthatlongtimefanswillbehappywiththisupdatedAstroBoy.

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“HeisstilltheAstroBoyweknowandlove,exceptthisisthefirsttimeonthebigscreen,soit’samuchbiggerstory.Ithasmuchmorescopeandmuchmorescale,eveninthingsliketheemotionalaspectsofAstroBoy’sjourney.”ButwhileAstroBoyhasapoignantside,thefilmmakershavenotskimpedontheaction—orthehumour,saysBowers.“WehaveAstroBoyflyingdownthestreets,carsblowingup,buildingscollapsing.Wehaveflyingcitiescrashingtotheground.It’sheart‐warming,butatthesametimeveryexcitingandveryfunny,too.”WhileGargeradmitsshedidnotgrowupwithAstroBoy,shesaysitwasloveatfirstsight.“Hisisaveryenrichingstory,awonderfulemotionaljourneyandagreat,greatcharacter.It’seasytounderstandhowhebecameaworldwideicon.”ActorFreddieHighmore,whovoicesthepint‐sizedsuperhero,pointstowardAstroBoy’sinnatealtruismasonereasonforhisenduringpopularity.“He’sarealsuperherointhatheuseshispowersforgood,”saysHighmore.“Therearesomanypeopleintheworldwhoareverycleverortalentedinsomeway.Theyusuallyusetheirgiftsfortheirownbenefit.AstroBoyneverputshimselffirst.Hegoestosavethewholeworld.“AstroBoyistheindividualwhosetsouttochangethesociety,”theactorcontinues.“Inourworld,justlikeinhis,therearesomanyrulesandrestrictionsthatmakeithardfortheindividualtomakeadifference,butthat’swhatAstroBoyalwaystriestodo.”TheopportunitytodirectAstroBoywastoogoodanopportunityforBowerstopassup,hesays.“Myjob,firstandforemost,istobeastoryteller.Ihelpedharnessthecreativeenergiesofalltheseamazingpeoplesurroundingmetogetthestoryoutthereassomethingthatpeoplecanenjoy.Ihopethatit’ssomethingthatwillbearoundforawhile.Ifwecanmovepeople,ifwecanmakepeoplelaughandmakepeoplecry,thenIthinkwe’vedoneourjob.Ifwecanexcitethemandhavethemattheedgeoftheirseats,too,thenwe’vedoneourjobreallywell.”Puttingtogetherthebestprojectpossiblemeantassemblinganall‐starcreativeteam,saysthedirector.“Wemanagedtogettheseamazingtalentstoworkonourfilm.EverybodywascommittedtomakingAstroBoythemostspectacular,fantastic,excitingandfunniestfilmmoviethatwecouldpossiblycreate.ThefilmisproducedbyImagiStudios,aHongKong‐basedanimationstudiowithacreativedevelopmentandproductionfacilityinLosAngelesandanofficeinTokyo.Thecompany'sfirstmajorCG‐animatedtheatricalmovie,TMNT,wasreleaseddomesticallyMarch23,2007byWarnerBros.andopenedNo.1attheboxoffice.“Imagihasallthesegreatartistsfromaroundtheworldwhoareverypassionate,”Bowersadds.“AlotoftopcreativepeoplethatIworkedwithatotherstudiosarethere,soitreallyfeltlikeweweregettingthebandbacktogether.IwasthrilledtobereunitedwithMaryannGarger,whowastheco‐producerofFlushedAway.”Gargerechoeshisenthusiasm.“Imagiisespeciallyexcitingformebecausewehaveanopportunitytohelpbuildthestudio,”shesays.“ThatwassomethingIloveddoingwhenIwasatDreamWorks.BecauseImagiisastart‐upstudio,there’salotofartisticenergywhichtranslatestothescreen.Wehavemadeafilmthatwe’reveryproudofthatwillcompeteintoday’sglobalmarketplace.”

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Thefilm’sscreenplayisbyBowersandTimothyHarris,aseasonedwriterwhosecreditsincludesuchhitsasTradingPlacesandKindergartenCopaswellastheblockbusteranimatedactioncomedySpaceJam.Bowerssaysthatasaparent,hewasparticularlyexcitedtobemakingAstroBoy.“Mydaughterisonlytwoyearsold,butwhenIstartedsketchingathomeandthinkingofideasforAstroBoy,sheaskedmewhatitwas.Itoldherandnow,whenIcomehomeatnight,IhavetodrawAstroBoyformydaughter.“WhenkidsgotothemovietheatretoseeAstroBoy,Ihopeitwillbeanamazingexperienceforthem,”thedirectorsays.“Butwhentheycomeoutofthemovietheatre,Iwantthatexperiencetoexpandintotheireverydaylives.That’showAstroBoyisinJapan,andI’dloveforittobethatintheUnitedStates.”

GIVINGVOICETOASTROBOY

Attheageof17,FreddieHighmorehasaresumeanyactorwouldenvy,butAstroBoyishisfirstforayintosuperherostatus.WorkingonthefilmwasaneducationforHighmore,whowasnotinitiallyfamiliarwiththecharacter.“Itwasexcitingtolearnaboutthiswholenewworld,”hesays.“SometimesIfeellikeweknowthishugesecret,andwe’reabouttogoandtellallthesepeopleaboutit.”HighmorevoicesbothTobyandAstroBoyinthemovie,givinghimtheadditionalchallengeofcreatingtwosimilar,butdistinct,characters.“Itwasreallyinterestingtoplay,”hesays.“Theyarequitedifferent.“Allgreatcharacterschangethroughthecourseofamovie,”henotes.“AstroBoydefinitelylearnsmanythingsabouthimselfandabouthowtoliveintheworld.Herealizesthathehasalltheseamazingpowers.Ashediscovershispowers,theaudiencediscoversthemaswellandhopefullytheygothroughtheemotionswithhim.”OneofthethingsthatattractedHighmoretotheprojectwasitsinnovativeapproachtoanimation.“It’squiteoriginalandit’sgotamodernfeeltoit,”hesays.“Theykeptsomeofthetraditionsofmanga,butalteredthemslightly.EveryonehastheirownimageofAstroBoyandsonothingisgoingtobeexactlylikethemangaorexactlyliketheTVshow,buttheoriginalcoreofthecharactersisstillthere.Itisdefinitelysomethingnew,butfanswillbeabletorecognizetheoldfacesandseethecharacterscometolifeinadifferentway.”NicolasCage,whovoicesDr.Tenma,AstroBoy’sfather,sayshegrewupwatchingtheoriginalblackandwhite“AstroBoy”televisionseries.“TherewasatremendousamountofemotioninthoselittleJapanesecartoons,”heremembers.“Icouldn’ttakemyeyesoffofit.Therewasthismarvellouscharminseeingsomebodythatsmallbethatpowerful.Ithinkthat’ssomethingthatalotofchildrencangetinstepwith.”Cageoncehopedtomakealiveactionfeaturebasedonthecharacter.“Itwasn’tsomethingthatevergotofftheground,”hesays.“ButMr.Tezukasentmealittlewoodenclockwithallhischaracterscarvedintoit.EventhoughInevermettheman,Ihadpersonalconnectiontohim,whichwaspartofthereasonIchosetoparticipateinthismovie.”ThekeytoAstroBoy’spopularity,saysCage,ishisinherenthumanity.“IloveAstroBoy’sgood‐heartedness,hiswantingtobelong,wantingtobeloved,even

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thoughhe’sthislittlerobot.Youcan’thelpbutadorethecharacter,becauseyoufeelsomuchforhim.ThosethingsseparateAstrofromotheranime.”Cagealsohascompassionforthecharacterheplays,althoughTenmainitiallyrejectshiscreation.“Dr.Tenmaisatragiccharacter.HehaslosthischildandhethinkshecanusehisknowledgeofroboticstobringTobyback.Instead,itbecomespainfulforhimtolookatAstroBoy,wholooksjustlikeToby,butwillneverbehim.Itmakesforanadditionallayerofcomplexity,becauseitgivesTenmaandAstroBoyaplacetogointermsofhealingtherelationship.”Heacknowledgesasenseofobligationtomakeamoviethatlivesuptotheoriginal“AstroBoy.”“Ithinkeverybodyinvolvedhasafeelingofresponsibilityforit,”heexplains.“Wewantittobeamovingexperience,becauseweareconnectedtothematerial.MyhopeisthataudiencesreceivethismovietheywaydidearlierclassicslikePinocchioorTheIronGiant.Thosemoviesarefuntowatch,buttheyalsobringsomuchemotionwiththem.AstroBoytriestodomorethantojustwowyouwithspecialeffects.Ittriestogetyoutofeelsomethingonthemostpoeticandsublimelevels.”KristenBell,whovoicesCora,ayoungrunawayfromMetroCitywithathornyexterior,saysbeinginamoviewithacastthatincludesNicolasCage,NathanLaneandBillNighyisadreamcometrueforher.“Thefilmisgoingtobewildlyentertainingandreallyheartwarming,”shesays.“Theimagesaresobeautiful.There’salotofheartbehindthismoviebecausethere’salotofheartbehindthislittleboy.Everythinghasgonewrongforhimandyoureallyrootforhimbecauseyouknowthathe’struetohimself.”“WhenIwasgrowingup,Isecretlywantedtobeinacartoonmusical,”shereveals.“Ididn’tgettosingasCora,butthisendedupbeingsuchawonderfulexperience.Forme,itwasallnewandexciting.EachtimeIwentintorecord,Isawnewsequencescuttogetherand,thought,oh,wow,we’rereallymakingagreatmovie!”BellsawanumberofparallelsbetweenAstroBoy’sunderlyingthemesandmajorissuesfacingsocietytoday.“Whatyouwalkawaywithdependsonwhat’simportanttoyou,”saystheactress.“OneofthethingsIlikedinthescriptwasthewholeideathatrobotsaresecond‐classcitizensandtheyshouldn’tbelookedatliketheyhavefeelingsorrights.Peoplewhofightforequalitywillrecognizetherobotsversushumanaspect.Peoplewhocareabouttheenvironmentwillrecognizetheneedtocherishthisworldandcleanitupalittlebit,beforeit’stoolate.”Theactresssaysshefoundmuchofwhatsheneededtocreatehercharacteronthepage,butalsoputalotofherselfintotherole.“IlovedCora’sattitudeandhersarcasmandherabilitytobewitty,”Bellsays.“Atthesametime,shetakesgoodcareofthekidsthatsheliveswith.She’sreallytough,butshewouldneverbetraythemorwanttobebetrayedbythem.Shegetshersenseoffamilyfromthosekids.”TonywinnerNathanLaneplaysHamegg,anearth‐sideentrepreneurthatLanecomparestoFagininOliverTwist.“Heemploysallofthesechildrentohelphimrunhisbusiness,whichispitchinggladiator‐stylecombatbetweenrobots.Hameggpaysthemtofindrobotsandrobotpartsforhimtouse.“It’sagoodstory,aclassicstoryandIthinkpeoplewillhaveagreattimewatchingit,”saysLane.“Theartworkisveryimpressiveandtruetotheoriginal,andatthesametimeveryhigh‐techandnew.Theyhavecreatedaworldthatseemsveryreal.AstroBoyisgood,solidfamilyentertainment.”

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ActorBillNighyadmitstobeingveryimpressedbytheinternationalphenomenonsurroundingAstroBoy.“HeissobelovedinJapan,”Nighymarvels.”Therearestatuesofhim,aswellaswholestoresdevotedtoAstroBoy.Notonlyisheexcitingasanadventurecharacter,buthe’salsoterriblychic.IlovethewholeexperienceofAstroBoy.”NighyisaprolificactorwhosemanymemorableroleshaveincludeddebauchedglamrockerBillyMackinLoveActuallyandViktor,thevampireking,intheUnderworldfranchise.HeplaystwocharactersinAstroBoy:Dr.Elefun,ascientistandcolleagueofTenma,andRobotski,arebelrobot.HesignedonknowingthatDavidBowers,whodirectedhiminFlushedAway,washelmingtheproject.“IwasreassuredthatIwasinsafehands.”Abouthischaracters,Nighysays,“Dr.Elefunistheconscienceofthemovie.He’sthemanthattheyshouldalllistentoanddon’t.HeisalsoAstroBoy’sbestfriend,andthegoodspiritwithinthemovie.Ontheaudience’sbehalf,hecounselswellandingoodfaith,whileupagainstenormousodds.”“Robotskilooksabitlikeafilingcabinetonlegs,”hecontinues.“HeispartoftheRobotRevolutionaryFront,acollectionofgood‐heartedidiotswithareasonablygoodexcusetomakenoise.Theywantrobotstohavethesamerightsthathumansenjoyandtobesetfreetowanderintheworld.RobotskihasonerolewiththeRRFandoneroleonly—muscle.He’snotoverlybright,heisgood‐heartedandheisquitestrong.”PlayingtwocharactersmeantcomingupwithtwodistinctvoicesforNighy.“TheprocessthatDavidBowersandIemployisthatIcomeinwithsomeinappropriateandappallingideasandthenherehabilitatesmeandallowsmetodoitproperly,”saysNighy,adistinguishedtheateractorwhoseotherfilmcreditsincludePiratesoftheCaribbean’sDavyJones.“IhadaseriesofideasforDr.ElefunthatIthoughtwerefunny.WhenDavidrecoveredfromthat,heaskedmeifIcoulddoitasmyselfmoreorless,anddoitwithsomedignity.RobotskihadtobeverydifferentfromDr.Elefunandhisvoiceneededtoindicatethatheisnotperhapsthefullticketupstairs,asitwere.”ForNighy,thestrengthofthefilmliesintheaudience’sidentificationwiththeleadingcharacter.“It’sanactionmovie,butit’sanactionmoviewithheartandcomedy,”hesays.“IlovetheideathatAstroBoyisarobotsobeautifullydesignedthatheapproacheshumanity.Itaddressesquestionsoffindingoutwhoyouareandhowtodealwiththefactofyourself.”Theactorsayshecannotimagineanyonehavingareactiontothefilmotherthanextremelypositive.“Ithaseverythinganaudiencelikes.It’sfunny,it’sexciting,anditconcernsitselfwiththingsthatareinallofourlives.It’sdramatizedbeautifullyandthewholeideaisverypowerful,butalsoverywitty.”AsOrrin,arobotworkinginDr.Tenma’shousehold,BowerscastEugeneLevy.“Orrin’skindofanervoustype,”saysLevy.“Oneofthethingsthatmakeshimnervousisthefactthatthekidinthehouse,Toby,doesn’tnecessarilytreathimwithrespect.RobotsinMetroCityareakindofapplianceandthey’retreatedthewayyouwouldtreatatoasteroranoven.”LevyhaslenthisvoicetoanimatedfilmsincludingOvertheHedgeandCuriousGeorge.HesaysthatheenjoysdoingvoiceworkinpartbecauseitbringshimbacktohisprofessionalbeginningsinToronto.“WhenIstartedacting,therewas

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alotofradiocommercialworkbeingdoneandthat’showactorsmadeareasonablygoodliving.”AlthoughLevy’sdistinctivevoicehasbecomesomethingofacallingcardforhim,hesayshehasnevervieweditasastrength.“TherehavebeentimeswhenIwishedIhadavoicelikeChristopherPlummer,deepandresonant.Butultimately,itisuptothebraintrustthatputthisthingtogethertohearit.Anactorhastogivethemarangeofoptionsforlinereadingsandstaytotallyflexible.It’sagreatexerciseanditcanreallybeachallenge.”WhenLevywasfirstapproachedtodoAstroBoy,thefilmmakerssenthimameticulouslyassembledbinderofcharactersandillustrations.“WhenIlookedthroughthisamazingbook,Isawimagesthatwerespectacularandcharactersthatlookedquiteendearing.Itwasveryimpressive.Inthefinishedproduct,theanimationisjustasincredible,butit’stheemotionalcurrentthatrunsthroughthisveryimpressive‐lookingworkthatbecomesverymoving.”Thatpresentationalsoimpressedtwo‐timeGoldenGlobewinnerDonaldSutherland,whoplaysPresidentStone.“Itwassocompelling,”hesays.“ThenIsawtherealizedfootage.ItwasabsolutelythrillingandeverythingthatIimagined.Infact,itwaswaybeyondwhatIimagined.Thelookofit,theenergyofit,thejoyofit,thesincerityofsoulisextraordinary.It’samonumentalwork.”Theprocessofvoicingananimatedcharacterdoesn’tdiffergreatlyfromactingoncamera,hesays.“Itiscreatingthecharacterandthencomingintoarecordingstudioandvoicinghim.Thecharacterandhisrealityarethere.WhenIcomeintothestudio,IliketoimagineI’masingerlikePeggyLeeorAnitaO’Dea.”SutherlandownsuptohavingastatueofAstroBoyinhishouse.“He’sperfect,”saysSutherland.“Hehashonourandaheartofgold.He’ssmartandinnocentandexquisitelyloveable.Whatmorecouldyouaskfor?”BritishcomedianMattLucasprovidedthevoiceofSparks,leaderofTheRobotRevolutionaryFront.“He’sactuallytheself‐appointedleader,”saysLucas.“Sparksisaveryintenseandintelligentrobot.He’sjustnotquiteasintelligentashethinksheis,whichmakeshimgoodfuntoplay.ThewritergavehimsometrulyfunnylinesandIwasgivenabitoffreereinaswelltoimprovise.”Forthevoice,LucasharkedbacktoclassicBritishsitcomstarslikeLeonardRossitter.“HeisbestknownintheU.S.forhisworkon‘RisingDamp’and‘TheFallandRiseofReginaldPerrin,’”saysLucas.“Itriedtoincorporatesomeofhisvocalticsintotheperformance.”Theactorsaysitwasflatteringtobeincludedinsuchadistinguishedcast—althoughhehasyettomeetanyofthem.“I’mafraidthatatthepremiere,I’llsay,‘Hello!Howareyou?’andthey’llgo,‘You’rebeingabitover‐familiar.Ifyoustaybehindthebarrier,please,I’llsignanautographforyou.’”WhileLucassaysAstroBoywillbeatreatforlongtimefansofanime,itisalsoaperfectentrypointforpeoplewhohaven’tyetdiscoveredtheartform.“Thevisualsarebrilliantlyrealized.Davidhastakenthebestofwhatexistsandputanewcontemporarytwistonit.“AstroBoy’sagreatrolemodelforyoungpeopletoday,”Lucasobserves.“He’salovelycharacter,he’sgotagoodheartandhehasafabulousworkethic.He’samensch.”

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CREATINGA21STCENTURYSUPERHERO

ImagiStudios’missionistoproduceextremelyinnovativeandoriginalanimatedfilms,accordingtoPaulWang,thestudio’sexecutivevicepresidentofdevelopmentandexecutiveproducerofAstroBoy.WangsaysthatconcentratingonunusualpropertiesgivesImagithepotentialtorivalthebigstudiosintime.“Weareespeciallyinterestedinsuperheromovies,likeAstroBoy,”hesays.“AtImagi,wearewillingtotakeonthatkindofchallenge.We’vegatheredaneclecticgroupofartists.Eachofthemdreamsaboutdoingfilmsthatareinfluentialandevent‐driven.Theystillwanttomakebigfeaturefilms,buttheywanttomakeartisticfilmsatthesametime.Sothisisachanceforthemtorealizethatdream.”FrancisKao,founderandchiefcreativeofficerofImagiStudios,grewupinHongKongwhereJapaneseanimewasastaple.“IhadthebestofbothworldsasakidinHongKong,”saysKao.“IwasabletoseeanimeseriesintheiroriginalJapaneseformats,aswellastheversionsmadeforWesternaudiences.WhenIstartedImagiStudiosin2000,IwantedtocreateentertainmentthatbringstogetherthebestofEastandWest—theenduring,popularcharactersandstoriesofJapaneseanimeandtheHollywoodexpertiseinmakingmoviesthatresonatewithaudiencesaroundtheworld.“Fromdayone,we’vemovedforwardwithloveandrespectforOsamuTezuka’soriginalmangawhichservesasthecoreforthemovie,”addsKao.“Wehavebeen

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workingverycloselywithTezukaProductionsandwiththecreator’sson,MacotoTezka,toensurewegoteverythingright.”ErinCorbett,presidentofImagiStudiosU.S.,saysthatithasbeengratifyingtoseehowwarmlyfansandmediaalikehaveembracedthismotionpicturesinceitwasfirstannounced.“MakingAstroBoyhasbeenanamazingjourneyforImagiStudios,”accordingtoCorbett.“Heisalegendary,belovedsuperherowhohascapturedheartsaroundtheglobeforover50yearsandwe’rehonouredthatwe’vebeenentrustedwithtakingthisiconicpropertytoanewglobalstage.”Thefilm’sdesignersaspiredtocreateaworldthatwouldresemblenothingthataudienceshaveeverseenbefore.MuchoftheinspirationforAstroBoy’sworldcomesfromtheworkofIsamuNoguchi,thefamous20thcenturyJapanese‐Americanartistandlandscapearchitect.Noguchi’sworkwithabstractioninspiredthemtousesimpleshapeswhichtheybroughttolifeusingthemostadvancedcomputerlighting,texturingandmodellingtechniquesavailable.Theresultsgofarbeyondthesouped‐up,fuselage‐basedspacecraftsorflyingcarswithfinsalreadyseeninahostof20thcenturyfilms.ThedesignersalsoturnedtoJapanforideasforthefilm’sbackgrounds.Theyturnedtotheworkof19thcenturywoodblockartist,KatsushikaHokusaiasajumpingoffpoint.Hokusai’sworktakesasimpleapproachtolandscapes,eliminatingvisualclutterinfavourofdistillinganimagetoitsessence.ActorBillNighycallsthelookofAstroBoy“verymodern,very21stcentury.IthasbeenmodifiedfromtheoriginalandyetretainstheJapaneseinfluencesbeautifullyintegratedintoakindofWesternlookandfeel.”AccordingtoWang,thefilmisrepresentativeofthekindofmoviesthatImagiwantstobuilditsreputationon.“Ithinkwehaveanappetitetotakethingsthataremoreinterestingandmoreoriginal,andwecandothatbecausewearelightonourfeet.”ThecreatorsofthenewAstroBoymovieknowtheyhavesetthebarhighforthemselvesbytakingawell‐known,belovedpropertyandpresentingittoaudiencesinanewform.“AstroBoyistheoriginalanimeproperty,”saysproducerMaryannGarger.“HewasfirstintroducedinAmericabackinthe1960s,butwehavetheopportunitytoreintroducehimtotheworldasanewiconwhocanholdhisownwiththebiggestblockbustersoutthere.”

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ABOUTTHECAST

FREDDIEHIGHMORE(AstroBoy,Toby)hasworkedwithsomeoftheindustry'smostcelebrateddirectorswhileamassinganenviablebodyofworkinhisyoungbutillustriouscareer.Nowjust17yearsold,theBritishactorwascastafterthousandswereconsideredforthetwinrolesofSimonandJaredintheTheSpiderwickChronicles,anadaptationofthebestsellingnovels.Thisyear,aswellascontinuinghisacademicstudies,HighmorehasbeeninSouthAfricashootingthetitleroleintheapartheid‐erafilmMasterHarold…andtheBoys.Highmore'sotherleadingcreditsincludethetitleroleinTimBurton'sCharlieandtheChocolateFactoryoppositeJohnnyDepp.HisperformancewashonouredwithaBestYoungActorAwardfromtheBroadcastFilmCriticsforthesecondyearinarow.Remarkably,Highmorewasnominatedforthishonourinfourconsecutiveyears.HispreviousvictorycameafterhisfirstteamingwithDeppinMarcForster'sFindingNeverland,costarringKateWinsletandDustinHoffman.TheOscar‐nominatedfilmwasreveredworldwideandHighmorenotonlyswepttheboard

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foryoungperformers'awards,butwasalsonominatedforaSAGAwardandintheU.K.,wontheEmpireAwardforBestNewcomer.Beginninghiscareerwithrolesinanumberoftelevisionproductions,HighmorewasseenintheBBCfilm“HappyBirthdayShakespeare”andITV'sminiseries“ISawYou”aswellasTNT's“TheMistsofAvalon”intheU.S.In2005,HighmoreappearedintwofilmsshotinFrance,thefirstbeingRidleyScott'sAGoodYear,co‐starringRussellCrowe,AlbertFinneyandMarionCotillard.Thatsameyear,healsostarredinLucBesson'sArthurandtheInvisibles,oppositeMiaFarrow.Highmore'sfirstAmericanfeaturewasAugustRush,alongsideRobinWilliamsandTerrenceHoward.FortheleadroleintheOscar‐nominatedfilm,henotonlyhadtolearnanAmericanaccent,butalsoplaytheguitarandtheorganaswellasconductanorchestra.HighmorealsovoicedtheleadroleofPantalaimoninTheGoldenCompass.OtherfilmcreditsincludeJean‐JacquesAnnaud'sTwoBrothersandWomenTalkingDirtyaswellasFiveChildrenandIt,starringKennethBranagh.KRISTENBELL(Cora)wasrecentlyseeninthetitleroleinthehighlysuccessfulcomedyForgettingSarahMarshall,oppositeJasonSegel,JonahHillandPaulRudd,producedbyJuddApatow.NextshewillbeseenintheleadroleintheromanticcomedyWheninRome,oppositeJoshDuhamel,DannyDeVitoandDaxShepard,whichisscheduledforanAugustrelease.SherecentlyfinishedfilmingtheromanticcomedyCouplesRetreatoppositeVinceVaughnandJasonBateman,slatedforanOctoberbow.BellwillsoonstartproductiononYouAgain,directedbyAndyFickman.Bellstarsasagirlwhotriestobreakupherbrother’simpendingmarriagewhenshefindsouthisbrideto‐beistheverygirlwhomadeherlifealivinghellinhighschool.BellwasrecentlyseenonNBC’shitseries“Heroes”asthemysteriousElleBishop.AnagentofTheCompany,shepossessesthepowertogenerateandmanipulateelectricity.Forthreeseasons,BellstarredinthetitleroleoftheJoelSilver‐producedCWseries“VeronicaMars,”playingasmart,fearlessapprenticeprivateinvestigatordedicatedtosolvingherwealthyseasidetown’stoughestmysteries.Recently,Bellstarredinthesci‐fithrillerPulse.HerpreviousfilmrolesincludeplayingthekidnappeddaughterofthePresidentintheDavidMametthrillerSpartan,oppositeValKilmer.ShealsoappearedintheindependentfeatureFiftyPills,whichpremieredattheTribecaFilmFestival.Bellstarredin2004’scampmusical“ReeferMadness”onShowtime,whichwasbasedonthehitplayinwhichshealsostarredOff‐Broadway.Previously,shewasbestknownforherrecurringroleintheHBOseries“Deadwood.”Othertelevisioncreditsincludeleadrolesinthecriticallyacclaimedmade‐for‐televisionmovie“Gracie’sChoice,”oppositeAnneHecheandDianeLadd,aswellas“TheKingandQueenofMoonlightBay”withTimMatheson,SeanYoungandEdAsner.Shehasalsohadgueststarringrolesonsuchseriesas“AmericanDreams,”“TheShield”and“Everwood.”Onstage,BellappearedintheLosAngelesOpera’sall‐starproductionoftheStephenSondheimmusical“ALittleNightMusic.”Previously,shestarredinthe

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BroadwayrevivalofArthurMiller’s“TheCrucible”withLiamNeesonandLauraLinney,theBroadwayproductionof“TomSawyer”andplayedthetitleroleintheWorldPremiereproductionofthemusical“Sneaux.”OriginallyfromDetroit,Michigan,BellattendedNewYorkUniversity’sTischSchooloftheArts.ShecurrentlylivesinLosAngeles.DONALDSUTHERLAND(PresidentStone)isoneofthemostprolificandversatileofmotionpictureactors,withanastonishingresumeofwellover100filmsrangingfromthebitingpoliticalsatireofRobertAltman'sM*A*S*HtotheintimatedramaofRobertRedford'sOrdinaryPeopletothesubtleintricacyofAlanJ.Pakula'sKlutetotheeccentricromanticismofFellini'sCasanova.SutherlandhasmadefilmswithBernardoBertolucci(1900),NicolasRoeg(Don'tLookNow),JohnSchlesinger(TheDayoftheLocust),BrianHutton(Kelly’sHeroes),PaulMazursky(AlexinWonderland),RobertAldrich(TheDirtyDozen),JohnSturges(TheEagleHasLanded),HerbertRoss(MaxDuganReturns),LouisMalle(Crackers),PhilipBorsos(Bethune),RonHoward(Backdraft),RichardMarquand(EyeoftheNeedle),EuzhanPalcy(ADryWhiteSeason),RichardPearce(Threshold,forwhichSutherlandwonthe1983GenieAwardasBestActor),OliverStone(JFK),FredSchepisi(hisadaptationofJohnGuare’sSixDegreesofSeparation),RobertTowne(WithoutLimits),ClintEastwood(SpaceCowboys),andJohnLandis(amemorablecameoinNationalLampoon’sAnimalHouse).SutherlandhasappearedasNicoleKidman’sfatherinAnthonyMinghella’sColdMountain,asCharlizeTheron’sfatherinF.GaryGray’sTheItalianJobandasKeiraKnightley’sfatherinPrideandPrejudice.Forthelatterrole,asMr.Bennett,hereceivedaChicagoFilmCriticsnomination.Inthepastfewyears,SutherlandhasstarredinAndyTennant’scomedyFool’sGold,withMatthewMcConaugheyandKateHudson;GriffinDunne’sFiercePeople,withDianeLane;RobertTowne’sAsktheDust,withSalmaHayekandColinFarrell;AmericanGunwithForestWhitaker;AnAmericanHaunting,withSissySpacek;LandoftheBlind,withRalphFiennes;andAuroraBorealis,withLouiseFletcherandJulietteLewis.Heispartofasterlingensembleofon‐camerareadersinthebiographicalfeatureaboutthelifeofDaltonTrumbo,Trumbo.Ontelevision,Sutherlandco‐starredwithPeterKrauseintheABCdramaseries“DirtySexyMoney.”Forhisperformanceasthefamilypatriarch,TrippDarling,hewasnominatedfora2007GoldenGlobeasBestSupportingActor.Priortothat,heco‐starredwithGeenaDavisinABC’s“CommanderinChief”andwasnominatedforaGoldenGlobeasBestSupportingActorforhisportrayalofHouseSpeakerNathanTempleton.Atthesametime,hewasnominatedforaGoldenGlobeasBestActorforhisperformanceoppositeMiraSorvinoinLifetimeTelevision’smuch‐laudedminiseries“HumanTrafficking.”SutherlandwonEmmy®andGoldenGlobeawardsasBestSupportingActorforhisperformanceintheHBOfilm“CitizenX”andalsowonaGoldenGlobeforhisportrayalofClarkClifford,advisortoPresidentLyndonB.Johnson,intheHBOhistoricaldrama“PathtoWar,”directedbythelateJohnFrankenheimer.Onstage,SutherlandstarredwithJustinKirkandJuliannaMarguliesinasoldout,criticallyacclaimedLincolnCenterengagementofJonRobinBaitz’s“TenUnknowns.”Forthisperformance,hereceivedanOuterCriticsCircleAward

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nominationforBestActor.HealsostarredintheLondon,TorontoandLosAngelesproductionsof“EnigmaticVariations,”anEnglishlanguagetranslation(byhissonRoegSutherland)ofEric‐EmmanuelSchmitt’sFrenchplay.SutherlandwasappointedanofficeroftheOrderofCanadain1978andanOfficierdel’OrdredesArtsetLettresinFrancefiveyearslater.BILLNIGHY(Dr.Elefun)wasrecentlyseenintheWorldWarIIfilmValkyriewithTomCruise,andthesupernaturalactionerUnderworld:RiseoftheLycans.UpcomingreleasesincludetheanimatedfantasyG­Force,RichardCurtis’sTheBoatThatRockedandaction‐comedyWildTarget,oppositeEmilyBluntandRupertGrint.NighyhasalsorecentlyfinishedfilmingStephenPoliakoff’s1939.Nighy’sroleasamiddle‐agedTreasuryofficialrejuvenatedbyloveinTheGirlintheCafewonhimaGoldenGlobeAwardforBestActorinaMiniseriesandwidespreadpraisefromcritics.In2003,hewonfourBestSupportingActorawardsfromtheLosAngelesFilmCriticsAssociationforhisperformancesinAKA,LawlessHeart,ICapturetheCastleandLoveActually.HisstellarperformanceaspiratecaptainDavyJones—halfsquid,half‐human—inPiratesoftheCaribbean:DeadMan’sChestwasreprisedinPiratesoftheCaribbean:AtWorld’sEnd.NighywasborninCaterham,Surreyin1949andtrainedforthestageattheGuildfordSchoolofActing.HemadehisprofessionalstagedebutatNewbury’sWatermillTheatreandsubsequentlygainedexperienceatregionaltheatresincludingtheEdinburghTraverse,theChesterGatewayandtheLiverpoolEveryman.ItwasinLiverpoolthatheformedatouringtheatrecompanywithJulieWaltersandPeterPostlethwaite,whichplayedatavarietyofvenues.HemadehisfirstappearanceinLondonin“ComingsandGoings”attheHampsteadTheatreinNovember1978.Nighy’slongassociationwiththeworkofDavidHarebeganintheearly1980swhenhewascastin“DreamsofLeaving,”aBBCfilmwrittenanddirectedbySirDavid.Theynextworkedtogetheron“AMapoftheWorld,”whichHarebothwroteandstagedattheNationalTheatreinLondon.WhenHarewasaskedbyPeterHall,theNational’sartisticdirector,toformacompanyofactors,BillbecameafoundingmemberoftheensemblethatalsoincludedAnthonyHopkins.Hare’sfirstproductionforthenewcompanywas“Pravda,”amercilesssatireontheBritishnewspaperindustry,whichheco‐wrotewithHowardBrenton.HopkinsplayedtheroleofruthlessmediatycoonLambertLeRouxwithNighycastashisequallyunscrupulousassociate.ThetwoactorswereagainreunitedforHare’sproductionofShakespeare’s“KingLear”withNighyplayingEdgarandHopkinsinthetitlerole.Adecadelater,NighystarredinHare’s“Skylight,”whichwonhimaBarclaysTheatreAwardandwhichplayedverysuccessfullyforaseasonattheVaudevilleTheatreintheWestEndofLondon.HealsoreceivedcriticalacclaimforhisroleonBroadwayinHare’sproduction,“TheVerticalHour.”TheactorhasregularlyappearedattheNationalTheatreinasuccessionofnewplaysbyleadingBritishwriters.In1993,hestarredasanambitiousacademicinTomStoppard’s“Arcadia,”inaproductionbyTrevorNunn.SevenyearslaterhewonenormouscriticalacclaimforhisperformanceaspsychiatristDr.Robert

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Smithin“Blue/Orange,”writtenbyJoePenhallanddirectedbyRogerMichell.ItwasaperformancethatbroughtNighyaBestActornominationintheprestigiousOlivierAwards.OthertheatrecreditsincludetworevivalsofplaysbyHaroldPinter,“Betrayal”attheAlmeidaTheatreand“AKindofAlaska”attheDonmarWarehouseTheatre.NighywasalsoseenasTrigorininaNationalTheatreproductionofChekhov’s“TheSeagull”oppositeJudiDench.NighypreviouslyworkedwithDameJudion“AbsoluteHell”(BBC)andtheywererecentlyreunitedforthecriticallyacclaimedfeatureNotesonaScandal,whichstarsCateBlanchettandwasdirectedbyRichardEyre.Nighy’slonglistoftelevisioncreditsincludesvirtuallyeverymajordramaseriesonBritishtelevision,butitwashisworkon“TheMen’sRoom”(BBC)in1991thatbroughthimparticularattention.Morerecently,hewonaBAFTABestActorAwardandaRoyalTelevisionSocietyBestActorAwardforhisperformanceasanewspapereditorintheminiseries“StateofPlay,”recentlyadaptedtothebigscreen.NighyhasstarredintwotelevisionfilmsforwriteranddirectorStephenPoliakoffin“TheLostPrince,”forwhichNighywonaGoldenSatelliteAwardforBestActorinaSupportingRole,andtheextraordinary“Gideon’sDaughter.”Theactormadehisbigscreendebutintheearly1980swithappearancesinsuchfilmsasTheLittleDrummerGirl,anditwasTheConstantGardener,anotherJohnleCarreadaptation,whichwonhimBestSupportingActorattheBritishIndependentFilmAwardsin2005.ButitwasStillCrazyandhisperformanceasagingrockvocalistRaySimmsthatestablishedNighy’scinematicprofileandwhichwonhimthePeterSellersAwardforBestComedyPerformance,givenbytheLondonEveningStandard.HelandedasecondPeterSellersAwardforhisenormouslypopularperformanceaswashed‐uppopstarBillyMackinLoveActually,whichalsowonhimaLondonFilmCriticsAwardandaBestSupportingActorBAFTA.OthercinemacreditsincludeUnderworld,Underworld:Evolution,ShaunoftheDeadandEnduringLove.EUGENELEVY(Orrin)hasappearedinover40motionpictures,sevenofwhichhavingtoppedthe$100‐million‐dollarmark.HisboxofficesuccessinfilmslikeBringingDowntheHouse,CheaperbytheDozen2,FatheroftheBridePartIIandOvertheHedgehasestablishedLevyasoneofHollywood’smostpopularcomediccharacteractors.ButitwashisroleasJim’sdadinAmericanPieanditssequelsthatcementedhisreputationasbeingAmerica’sfavoritedad.Mostrecently,LevyappearedinAngLee’sTakingWoodstockandprovidedthevoiceofAlbertEinsteininNightattheMuseum2:BattleoftheSmithsonian.TeamingupwithChristopherGuest,Levyearnedcriticalacclaimforco‐writingandco‐starringinBestinShow,WaitingforGuffman,ForYourConsiderationandAMightyWind.HisworkinAMightyWindgarneredhimaGrammyAwardandaNewYorkFilmCriticsCircleAwardalongwithaGoldenGlobenominationforBestinShow.Levystartedhiscareeronthepopularlatenightcomedyseries“SCTV,”wherehewontwoEmmyAwardsforwriting.HisearlyfilmsincludeSplash,ClubParadise,ArmedandDangerousandMultiplicity.

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NATHANLANE(Hamegg)isequallysuccessfulonstage,screenandtelevision.LanewasmostrecentlyseenonthebigscreeninDisney’sSwingVotewithKevinCostner.LastJuly,hefinishedasix‐monthrunofDavidMamet’shitcomedy“November”onBroadway.NathanwaspreviouslyseenonBroadwaystarringinthetitleroleas“Butley”in2006.HealsostarredintheblockbusterBroadwayproductionofNeilSimon’s“TheOddCouple”andinStephenSondheim’sadaptationofAristophanes'“TheFrogs”atLincolnCenter,forwhichhewrotethebook.HiswildlyacclaimedportrayalofMaxBialystockin“TheProducers”onBroadwaywonLanetheDramaDesk,OuterCriticsCircleandTonyAwardsforBestActorinaMusical.HealsowontheOlivierAwardforhisperformancein“TheProducers”inLondon.LaneiscurrentlyinTheRoundaboutTheatreCompany’sBroadwayproductionof“WaitingforGodot”atStudio54,alongsideBillIrwinandJohnGoodman.LanewillnextbeseenonscreeninNutcracker:TheUntoldStory,oppositeJohnTurturroandElleFanning.ThefilmisbaseduponTchaikovsky’sfamousballetandisdirectedbyAndreiKonchalovsky.FilmaudiencesfondlyrememberLane’striumphantperformanceinMikeNichols’TheBirdcage,whichhelpedcatapultthefilmintoamajorblockbusterhit.TheroleearnedLaneaScreenActorsGuildAwardandaGoldenGlobenomination.HealsoearnedaGoldenGlobenominationforhisroleinthemovieversionofTheProducers.Additionally,hewongreatacclaimasthevoiceofTimonthemeerkatinthesmashhitTheLionKing.LanehasalsostarredinsuchboxofficesuccessesasStuartLittleandMousehunt.BroadwayaudienceshavelongembracedLaneasoneoftheshininglightsofthetheatre.In1996,hisperformancein“AFunnyThingHappenedontheWaytotheForum,”directedbyJerryZaks,earnedhimTony,OuterCriticsCircleandDramaDeskawards.AmongLane’sotherBroadwaycreditsareTerrenceMcNally’s“Love!Valor!Compassion!”(DramaDesk,OuterCriticsCircleandObieawards),NeilSimon’s“Laughteronthe23rdFloor,”“GuysandDolls”(DramaDeskandOuterCriticsCircleawards,Tonynomination),“PresentLaughter”(DramaDesknomination)and“OnBorrowedTime”withGeorgeC.Scott,“Merlin,”“TheWindintheWillows,”“SomeAmericansAbroad”andthenationaltourofNeilSimon’s“BroadwayBound.”Earlyinthe2001Broadwayseason,LanestarredintheRoundaboutTheatreCompany’srevivalof“TheManWhoCametoDinner.”Off‐BroadwaycreditsincludeTerrenceMcNally’s“LipsTogether,TeethApart,”“TheLisbonTraviata”(DramaDeskandLucilleLortelawards)and“BadHabits”attheManhattanTheatreClub,“TheFilmSociety”and“InaPig’sValise”atSecondStage,“TheCommonPursuit”and“SheStoopstoConquer”attheRoundaboutand“MeasureforMeasure,”directedbyJosephPapp,attheNYSF.LanealsostarredOff‐BroadwayinJonRobinBaitz’acclaimed“Mizlansky/Zilinsky”andplayedDaltonTrumbo,intheOffBroadwaystagingof“Trumbo.”Mostrecently,LanestarredintheHuntingtonTheatreCompany'sproductionof“Butley.”LanewasrecognizedwithtwoDaytimeEmmyAwardsforOutstandingPerformerinanAnimatedProgramforhisworkin“TheLionKing’sTimonandPumbaa”and“Teacher’sPet,”bothDisneyproductions.AdditionalfilmcreditsincludeIsn’tSheGreat?,Trixie,Love’sLabour’sLost,AddamsFamilyValues,LifewithMikey,Frankie&Johnny,HeSaid,SheSaid,Ironweed,TheLemonSisters,

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Jeffrey,NicholasNickelbyandWinaDatewithTadHamilton!Lane’stelevisionappearancesincludeTerrenceMcNally’s“TheLastMile,”theHallmarkHallofFamepresentationof“TheBoysNextDoor”andtherecent“Laughteronthe23rdFloor.”SAMUELL.JACKSON(ZOG)isrespectfullylabelledoneofthehardestworkingactorsinHollywoodandanundisputedstar,asdemonstratedbythefactthathisfilmshavegrossedmoreinboxofficesalesthananyotheractorinthehistoryoffilmmaking.HerecentlycompletedfilmingthedramaUnthinkable,directedbyGregorJordanandco‐starringMichaelSheen,whichhasbeenslatedforafallrelease.JacksonalsofilmedasupportingroleinthedramaMotherandChild,directedbyRodrigoGarcia.JacksonmadeanindeliblemarkonAmericancinemawithhisportrayalofJules,thephilosophizinghitmaninQuentinTarantino’sPulpFiction.Inadditiontoearningunanimouscriticalacclaimforhisperformance,hereceivedAcademyAwardandGoldenGlobenominationsasBestSupportingActoraswellasaBestSupportingActorawardfromtheBritishAcademyofFilmandTelevisionArts(BAFTA).In2008,Jackson’sfilmsincludedtheNeilLaButethrillerLakeviewTerrace,whichpremieredattheDeauvilleFilmFestival,followedbythecomedySoulMen,alongsidethelateBernieMac.HerecentlystarredintheFrankMilleractiondramaTheSpirit,inwhichheportrayedthehero’scharismaticnemesis,theOctopus.Jacksonmadeasurprisecameoappearanceinthe2008blockbusterhit,IronManandhassignedontoreprisethisroleastheMarvelcharacterNickFury(headofthesecretcrime‐fightingorganizationS.H.I.E.L.D.)inMarvel’snextninefilms.HealsostarredinDougLiman’ssci‐fiactionfilmJumper.In2007,JacksonplayedastarringroleintheacclaimeddramaResurrectingtheChampandaco‐starringroleintheverysuccessfulhorrorfilm1408,basedontheStephenKingnovella.Earlierthatyear,JacksonstarredinCraigBrewer’sdramaBlackSnakeMoanandIrwinWinkler’swardramaHomeoftheBrave.In2006,JacksonstarredinNewLine’sSnakesonaPlane,directedbyDavidEllis.HealsostarredoppositeJulianneMooreinRevolutionStudio’sFreedomland,directedbyJoeRoth,basedonthebest‐sellingnovelofthesamename.HealsoappearedinNewLine’sTheMan,oppositeEugeneLevy.Thepreviousyear,JacksontoppedtheopeningweekendboxofficechartswithhisdramaCoachCarter.Jacksonportrayedreal‐lifehighschoolbasketballcoachKenCarter,adedicatedrolemodelandadvocateforstudentssucceedingintheclassroomaswellasonthebasketballcourt.CoachCarterwasscreenedastheopeningnightfilmoftheprestigiousPalmSpringsFilmFestival.Jacksonreceivedthefestival’sCareerAchievementAwardforActing.Alsoin2005,JacksonstarredoppositeJulietteBinocheinJohnBoorman’sindependentfilmInMyCountry,basedonthebest‐sellingnovelCountryofMySkullbySouthAfricanwriterAntjieKrog.JacksonreprisedhisrolesasAgentAugustusGibbonsinXXX:StateoftheUnionandasMaceWinduinStarWarsEpisodeIII:RevengeoftheSith.Tothesurpriseofnoone,thefinalStarWarsfilmmadeanincredibleimpactattheboxoffice,breakingnumerousopeningdayrecords.In2004,JacksonvoicedthecharacterFrozoneintheanimatedaction‐adventurefilmTheIncredibles,whichwasreleasedtorecordboxofficeresults.Thefilm,

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writtenanddirectedbyBradBird,earnedaGoldenGlobenominationforBestPictureaswellastwoAcademyAwardnominations.OtherfilmcreditsincludeS.W.A.T.,co‐starringColinFarrellandMichelleRodriguez;ChangingLanes,alongsideBenAffleck;Formula51,withRobertCarlyle;XXX,starringVinDiesel;StarWarsEpisodeII:AttackoftheClones;Unbreakable,withBruceWillis;andShaft,inthetitleroleoppositeChristianBaleandVanessaWilliams.JacksonalsostarredinthecourtroomdramaRulesofEngagement,directedbyWilliamFriedkinandco‐starringTommyLeeJones.BothShaftandRulesofEngagementwerescreenedatthe2000DeauvilleFilmFestival,whereJacksonwashonouredwithaLifetimeAchievementAward.Jackson’scareerbeganuponhisgraduationfromMorehouseCollegeinAtlantawithadegreeindramaticarts.Hewentontoperforminnumerousstageplaysincluding“Home,”“ASoldier’sPlay,”“Sally/Prince”and“TheDistrictLine.”HealsooriginatedrolesintwoofAugustWilson’splaysatYaleRepertoryTheatre.FortheNewYorkShakespeareFestival,Jacksonappearedin“MotherCourageandHerChildren,”“Spell#7”and“TheMightyGents.”WhilestillastudentatMorehouse,JacksonmadehisfilmdebutinTogetherforDays.In1991,hemademoviehistorywithhisportrayalofacrackaddictinSpikeLee’sJungleFeverwhenhewasawardedthefirstandonlyBestSupportingPerformanceAwardevergivenbythejuryattheCannesFilmFestival.HealsowontheNewYorkFilmCriticsAwardforBestSupportingActorforthatperformance.JacksonstarredoppositeSandraBullock,MatthewMcConaugheyandKevinSpaceyinJoelSchumacher’s1996adaptationofaJohnGrishamnovel,ATimetoKill.Forhisperformance,JacksonreceivedaGoldenGlobenominationandanNAACPImageAward.HealsostarredoppositeBruceWillisinDieHard:WithaVengeance,thetop‐grossingmovieinternationallyin1995.In1997,JacksonstarredinJackieBrown,hissecondfilmwithdirectorQuentinTarantino.HereceivedaGoldenGlobenominationandtheBerlinFilmFestival’sSilverBearAwardforBestActorinaComedy.JacksonstarredinKasiLemmons’TheCaveman’sValentine,alsoservingasanexecutiveproducerontheproject.Themostsuccessfulindependentfilmof2001,wasJackson’ssecondprojectwithLemmons;thefirstwastheapplauded1997dramaEve’sBayou,whichhealsoproduced.OtherfilmcreditsincludeDeepBlueSea,StarWarsEpisodeOne:ThePhantomMenace,TheNegotiator,TheRedViolin,187,Twisted,Sphere,TheLongKissGoodnight,HardEight,KissofDeath,LosingIsaiah,Amos&Andrew,Ragtime,SeaofLove,ComingtoAmerica,Ray,DotheRightThing,SchoolDaze,Mo’BetterBlues,Goodfellas,StrictlyBusiness,WhiteSands,PatriotGames,Jumpin’attheBoneyard,Fathers&Sons,Juice,FreshandTrueRomance.Onthesmallscreen,JacksonservesasexecutiveproducerfortheSpikeTVanimatedseries“AfroSamurai,”whichpremieredin2007andreturnedforathirdseasoninJanuary2009.Thefirsteditionofthe“AfroSamurai”videogamelaunchedin

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February2009.In2008,Jacksonsecuredafirst‐looktelevisiondealwithCBSandtheirpropertiestodevelopandproducefutureprojects.JacksonstarredinJohnFrankenheimer’sEmmy‐winning“AgainsttheWall”forHBO.HisperformanceearnedhimaCableAcenominationasBestSupportingActorinaMovieorMiniseriesandaGoldenGlobenomination.NICOLASCAGE(Dr.Tenma)isanAcademyAward®‐winnerandoneofthemostversatileactorsofalltime,equallyknownforhispoignantportrayalsinbothdramaandcomedy.CagewrappedproductioninOctoberof2008onWernerHerzog’sreimaginingofthecriticallyacclaimed1992filmBadLieutenant,inwhichheplaysthetitlerole.HelenthisvoicetotheanimatedfeatureG­Force,dueintheatresinJuly.CagerecentlywrappedproductiononthemedievalepicSeasonoftheWitch,whichfilmedonlocationinBudapest,andthenwentstraightintohisnextfeaturecollaborationwithJerryBruckheimer,TheSorcerer’sApprentice.CagealsoappearedinthePangbrothers’BangkokDangerous,anactionthriller.In2007,CagestarredintheworldwideboxofficesuccessNationalTreasure:BookofSecrets.ItmarkedCage’sfifthcollaborationwithproducerJerryBruckheimerfollowingTheRock,ConAir,Gonein60SecondsandNationalTreasure.Cage’smemorableperformanceasanalcoholicdrinkinghimselftodeathinthedramaLeavingLasVegas,directedbyMikeFiggis,earnedhimanAcademyAwardaswellasaGoldenGlobe,andBestActorawardsfromtheNewYorkFilmCriticsCircle,theLosAngelesFilmCriticsAssociation,theChicagoFilmCriticsandtheNationalBoardofReview.CagefurthersolidifiedhisleadingmanstatuswhenhereceivedAcademyAward,GoldenGlobe,ScreenActorsGuildandBritishAcademyofFilmandTelevisionArts(BAFTA)nominationsforhisdualroleastwinbrothersCharlieandDonaldKaufmaninSpikeJonze’squirkycomedyAdaptation,whichalsoco‐starredMerylStreepandChrisCooper.CageportrayedJohnnyBlazeinGhostRider,a2007filmbasedontheMarvelComicscharacterthatwaswrittenanddirectedbyMarkStevenJohnson.Thefilmimmediatelysetanewrecordwiththehighest‐grossingopeningforaPresident’sDayweekend.Cage’sotherrecentstarringrolesincludeNeilLaBute’sTheWickerManandOliverStone’sWorldTradeCenter,bothreleasedin2006,andGoreVerbinski’sTheWeatherManandAndrewNiccol’sLordofWar,bothreleasedin2005.HewasalsoheardasthevoiceofZocintheanimatedfilmTheAntBully.CagewasraisedinLongBeach,CaliforniaandlivedthereuntilhisfamilymovedtoSanFranciscowhenhewas12.Cagebeganactingatage15whenheenrolledinSanFrancisco’sAmericanConservatoryTheatre.HelatermovedtoLosAngelesandwhilestillahighschoolstudent,landedaroleinthetelevisionfilm“TheBestofTimes.”HemadehisfeaturefilmdebutinFastTimesatRidgemontHigh.ItwasCage’sportrayalofatormentedVietnamvetinBirdythatfirstestablishedhimasaseriousactor.DirectedbyAlanParker,BirdywonthejuryprizeatCannes.CagethenreceivedaGoldenGlobenominationasBestActorforhisroleasCher’sloverinMoonstruck.DavidLynch’sWildatHeart,starringCageandLauraDern,wonthePalmed’Oratthe1990CannesFilmFestival.

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SomeofCage’sotherhonoursincludea1993GoldenGlobenominationforhisroleinHoneymooninVegas,theprestigiousLifetimeAchievementAwardfromtheMontrealWorldFilmFestivalin1996,thefirsteverDistinguishedDecadeinFilmAwardatShoWestin2001andhonoursfromtheprestigiousAmericanCinemathequein2001.In2002,CagemadehisfilmdirectorialdebutwithSonny.Hecastanimpressivegroupofactors,includingGoldenGlobewinnerJamesFranco,MenaSuvari,BrendaBlethynandHarryDeanStanton.Thefilmwasacceptedatthe2002DeauvilleFilmFestival.Cage’sproductioncompany,SaturnFilms,alsoproducedthe2002dramaTheLifeofDavidGaleandthecriticallyacclaimed2000filmShadowoftheVampire.Cage’smanyotherfilmcreditsincluderolesinNext,MatchstickMen,Windtalkers,CaptainCorelli’sMandolin,TheFamilyMan,BringingOuttheDead,8MMEightMillimeter,SnakeEyes,CityofAngels,Face/Off,KissofDeath,GuardingTess,ItCouldHappentoYou,RedRockWest,HoneymooninVegas,RaisingArizona,Vampire’sKiss,PeggySueGotMarried,ValleyGirl,RacingwiththeMoon,TheCottonClubandRumbleFish.

ABOUTTHEFILMMAKERS

DAVIDBOWERS(WriterandDirector)sharedaBAFTAnominationforFlushedAway,theDreamWorks/AardmanAnimationco‐productiononwhichhecontributedwritinganddirectingservices.OriginallyfromStockport,CheshireintheU.K.,BowersstudiedanimationatWestSurreyCollegeofArtandDesigninFarnhambutleftafterhisfirstyeartoworkonWhoFramedRogerRabbitunderOscar®‐winninganimatorRichardWilliams.Next,heworkedatthefamedBritishstudioCosgroveHallontheculttelevisionshows“DangerMouse”and“CountDuckula”beforemovingtoLondontojoinStevenSpielberg'sAmblimation,astudiosetuptotakeadvantageofEuropeantalentAmblindiscoveredduringthemakingofRogerRabbit.BowersnextworkedasananimatoronAnAmericanTail:FievelGoesWestbeforegoingfreelanceandworkingoncommercialsandfeatures.HereturnedtoAmblimationasastoryartistandservedasasupervisinganimatoronBalto.WhenDreamWorkswasfounded,BowersrelocatedtoLosAngelesandworkedasastoryartistonThePrinceofEgyptandTheRoadtoElDorado.Duringthisperiod,hemetfilmmakersNickParkandPeterLord,whoneededhelpstoryboardingtheirfeatureChickenRun.ItwasthebeginningofalongandfruitfulrelationshipwithAardmanAnimation.Asix‐weekcontractbecame14monthsasBowershelpedconceiveandstoryboardmanyofthefilm'smajorset‐pieces,includingitsclimax.AfterthecompletionofChickenRun,BowersmovedbetweenLosAngelesandBristolasakeycreativeonvariousDreamWorksandAardmanprojectsincludingSharkTaleandtheOscarwinnerWallace&GromitTheCurseoftheWere­Rabbit.TIMOTHYHARRIS(Writer),creditedwithsuchboxofficehitsasSpaceJam,KindergartenCop,TwinsandTradingPlaces,hasbeenauthoringscreenplaysforalmost30years.HiscreditsalsoincludethreenoirnovelsfeaturingaLosAngelesprivatedetective,KydforHire,GoodnightandGood‐ByeandUnfaithfulServant.Inaddition,HarrisproducedFallingDown,directedbyJoelSchumacher,

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whichwasselectedfortheofficialcompetitionatthe1993CannesInternationalFilmFestival.MARYANNGARGER(Producer)wasaco‐producerofFlushedAway.ShebeganhercareerinanimationasproductioncoordinatoronPocahontas.Shewasthe14themployeehiredatDreamWorksin1995andservedasaproductionsupervisoronThePrinceofEgypt,productionmanageronSpirit:StallionoftheCimarronandMadagascarandproductionexecutiveonSinbad:LegendoftheSevenSeas.ShealsoproducedtheDreamWorksshortfilmFirstFlight.GargerhailsfromNewHampshireandattendedSyracuseUniversity.CECILKRAMER(ExecutiveProducer)isvicechairmanofImagiStudiosandhasmorethan20yearsofproductionexperienceinvariousfieldswithintheentertainmentindustry.SheproducedthecriticallyacclaimedanimatedfeatureFlushedAwayandrecentlyservedasanexecutiveproduceronthe2005AcademyAwardwinningstop‐motioncomedyWallace&Gromit:TheCurseoftheWere­Rabbit(BestAnimatedFeature).Previously,sheheldthepostofco‐headofproductionforDreamWorksAnimation,wheresheoversawthedevelopmentofsuchanimatedfeaturesasAntz,ThePrinceofEgypt,TheRoadtoElDorado,ChickenRunandtheOscarwinningsmashShrek.Previously,Kramerproducedvisualeffectsforlive‐actionfilmssuchasCrimsonTideandCabinBoy.Shealsoservedasthepost‐productionsupervisoronHoney,IBlewUptheKid.ShewasalsoaproductionexecutiveatBuenaVistaPictures,WaltDisneyImagineeringandFilmFinances.KramerbeganhercareerasafeaturefilmcostumerandlaterworkedasaproductionmanageronTVcommercialsandinthefieldofpublicbroadcasting.KENTSUMURA(ExecutiveProducer)isexecutivevicepresident,production,HongKong,atImagiStudios.PriortojoiningImagi,hewasseniorvicepresident,production&technologyatVancouver‐basedMainframeEntertainment(nowRainmakerAnimation).A22‐yearanimationveteran,Tsumura’snumerousproductioncreditsincludeexecutiveproduceronUniversalPictures’featureCuriousGeorge,produceronDreamWorks’CG‐animatedtelevisionseries“FatherofthePride”andexecutiveproduceronColumbiaPictures’AdamSandler’sEightCrazyNights.Healsoservedasanimationco‐producerontheFoxTelevisionseries“TheSimpsons”and“TheCritic.”PAULWANG(ExecutiveProducer)hasbeeninvolvedinfilmmakingandcomputergraphicsforthelast20years.AfterrunningFour‐D,hisownboutiqueanimationhouseinNewYork,Wangenteredthecomputer‐generatedvisualeffectsindustry,wherehecreatedspecialvisualeffectsforsuchmoviesasBatmanForeverandThePeacemaker.HewentontoPDI/DreamWorks,wherehedidpioneeringworkonanimatedmotionpicturessuchasAntz,ShrekandMadagascar.HealsoworkedonthethemeparkrideShrek4­DandDreamWorksTelevision’sCG‐animatedtelevisionseries“FatherofthePride.”WangwasaproduceronImagiStudios’hitfeatureTMNTandisexecutivevicepresident,developmentatImagi.

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FRANCISKAO(ExecutiveProducer)isthefounderandchiefcreativeofficerofImagiStudios.HefoundedImagiin2000,bringingtolifehisvisionofaworld‐classCGanimationstudioinAsia.KaosetsthecreativedirectionforImagiStudiosandistheultimatedecision‐makerforitsmovieslate.Focusingonmotionpicturedevelopmentandproduction,heisalsoresponsibleforthemanagementofthecompany’sintellectualproperties.Presently,KaoisalsosupervisingthedevelopmentofGatchaman,basedonthehit1970stelevisionseries.KaoservedasexecutiveproduceronImagiStudios’firstfeaturefilm,TMNT(2007),whichopenednumberoneattheU.S.boxoffice,andonHighlander:TheSearchforVengeance(2006),thecriticallyacclaimedaction‐fantasyfilmfromJapaneseanimemasterYoshiakiKawajiri.KaograduatedfromCaliforniaStateUniversity,SacramentowithaBachelorofSciencedegreeinFinanceManagement.HethenjoinedBoto,Imagi’spredecessorcompany,in1999toembarkonanumberofnewinitiativesdesignedtocreateabrandforthemanufacturingcompany.PILARFLYNN(LineProducer)beganheranimationcareeratDreamWorks,wheresheworkedforeightyearsonthedevelopmentandproductionofsuchfilmsasTheRoadtoElDorado,Sinbad:LegendoftheSevenSeas,Spirit:StallionoftheCimarron,MadagascarandFlushedAway.Shealsoco‐producedDreamWorks’firstCG‐animatedshort,themultipleaward‐winningFirstFlight.Mostrecently,FlynnservedasassociateproduceroftheanimatedfeaturefilmMeanMargaretforIDT/StarzMedia.IMAGISTUDIOSisaleadingproducerofCG‐animatedfeaturefilmswithoperationsinboththeU.S.andHongKong.ThecompanyhassuccessfullycreatedananimationstudiothatallowsImagitoproducehigh‐qualityCGanimatedmotionpicturesdevelopedoutsideofthetraditionallock‐steppipelineandrivalingthehigh‐qualitycontentfromleadingHollywoodanimationstudios.Imagi’slatestproduction,AstroBoy,willbefollowedbyGatchaman,currentlyindevelopmentandbasedonthepopular1970stelevisionseries.FusingitsHongKongheritagewithworld‐classHollywoodtalent,Imagihascreatedafilmmakingplatformthatallowsthemtodevelopqualitymotionpictureswithgreaterefficiency.UtilizingthelatestinCGtechnology,Imagiisalsoabletosuccessfullypioneernewapproachestoanimationandstorytellingnotfoundintheconventionalschoolofanimation.Imagifirstgainedmajorindustrynoticein2007,whentheiranimatedfeatureTMNTopenedNo.1attheNorthAmericanboxoffice,afirstforanAsiananimationoutfit.ImagicameonthesceneinHongKongin2000undertheleadershipoffounderandchiefcreativeofficerFrancisKao.Since2000,theanimationhousehasgrownexponentially,expandingitsoperationstoincludeofficesinLosAngelesandTokyo.ImagiInternationalHoldingsLimited(StockCode585,OTCQX:IINHY)isalistedcompanyonthemainboardofTheStockExchangeofHongKong.Imagi’sCGproductionstudiosarelocatedatitsChaiWan,HongKongcorporate

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headquarterswithdevelopmentandmarketingoperationsbasedinLosAngeles,California,andanofficeinTokyo.Forfurtherinformation,pleasevisitwww.imagi.com.hk.

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