Rumor: Disney Developing New Live-Action Dragon Ball Movie With Asian Cast

[TheRed259]

https://wegotthiscovered.com/movies/dis ... ball-movie

Just a few days after the launch of their extremely popular streaming service, Disney doesn’t look like they’re planning on slowing down any time soon. In fact, it seems like they’re just getting started.

According to sources close to We Got This Covered – the same ones who told us the Mouse House was developing an Aladdin sequel, which we now know to be true – the studio’s next big venture is expected to be a live-action adaptation of the beloved Japanese anime TV series Dragon Ball. Apparently, the film will feature an exclusively Asian cast and operate with a very big budget, meaning that executives think this could be the beginning of another blockbuster franchise.

For those unfamiliar, the Japanese show’s widespread popularity has made it a cultural icon that continues to captivate viewers to this day. The episodes have thus far inspired fifteen movies, two TV specials, three sequel series, collectible trading cards, various action figures, numerous soundtracks, several companion books and 148 video games, among other things. Most of this content has been released in Japan, though the show’s fanbase is spread out throughout the world.

In fact, Dragon Ball is one of the top twenty highest-grossing media franchises of all-time, having hauled in over $20 billion in total revenue as of last year. While it’s currently unknown whether the movie will be based around the original show or the sequel series Dragon Ball Z, either one is likely to draw in a huge crowd. A live-action adaptation, if done correctly, would definitely be another massive hit for Disney but whether they can actually get it right remains to be seen.

In any case, we’ll be sure to bring you more details on this exciting news as they pour in, but in the meantime, we want to hear your thoughts on all this. Tell us, are you excited for a potential Dragon Ball Z movie? And do you think Disney can pull this off? Sound off in the comments below and let us know what you think!

[JulieYBM]

God, I hope not. I have zero confidence in Hollywood to make a good film.

[Mister_Popo]

They can always surprise me. But live-action and DB, it just doesn't feel and sound right.

I think it would only work if the movies are only very loosely based on the original material, do their own thing and don't serve as an actual adaptation.
How they'll apply the SSJ-thing on live actors without looking completely ridiculous? How horrendous would a CGI-Freeza look like?
Maybe they shouldn't go that route at all and walk a brand new path.

[danyq94]

God, I hope not. I have zero confidence in Hollywood to make a good film.

I agree. The only solution for Dragon Ball live action would be to make an original story set in the same universe of the series. No revivals of existing arcs.

[omegacwa]

Wow. You guys are negative...

I don't see how Dragon Ball is any different than any other super hero type movie.

Personally I think toning down the energy effects and focusing more on the martial arts elements would be for the best.

The concept of an all Asian cast would be for the best in my opinion.

[Son Goku]

WeGotThisCovered is not a trustworthy news site. The majority of the rumors they report on end up being completely off the mark, and it's only because of those "broken clock is right twice a day" moments that anyone gives them any attention .

[Neo-Makaiōshin]

Wow. You guys are negative...

I don't see how Dragon Ball is any different than any other super hero type movie.

Personally I think toning down the energy effects and focusing more on the martial arts elements would be for the best.

The concept of an all Asian cast would be for the best in my opinion.

For a second my brain stopped working after reading that line

-‐------------
If they can get actors with decent martial arts experience and a seasoned fight chereographer this could turn out as decent to good live-action martial arts movie.

[Saikyo no Senshi]

Disney? Gross. I can only hope this is not true.

[omegacwa]

Wow. You guys are negative...

I don't see how Dragon Ball is any different than any other super hero type movie.

Personally I think toning down the energy effects and focusing more on the martial arts elements would be for the best.

The concept of an all Asian cast would be for the best in my opinion.

For a second my brain stopped working after reading that line

-‐------------
If they can get actors with decent martial arts experience and a seasoned fight chereographer this could turn out as decent to good live-action martial arts movie.

From a production stand point it is no different than approaching something like the Avengers. That's what I meant. Don't try to pretend it would be any different.

[JulieYBM]

I'd rather get a tokusatsu movie from Toei Company, directed by Tasaki or Sakamoto. This way the production design, acting and cinematography would be really fun and lively.

[Vijay]

Goddamn....not again

Some things are better left alone. Just a decade....exactly 10 years ago, we witnessed monstrosity called evolution...now this rumor..news...whatever u call it

Just color swap with Asian casts that know martial-arts with green-screen wouldn't cut-it man. You gotta have real talented director, someone like James Cameroon or Christopher Nolan that immerse the audiences into their world...and DragonBall lore is huge...that it'll take several years if not decade to get things right...just imagine Goku & Co goin into outer-space fighting Frieza...you might think it's like Avengers:Endgame where Cap & co tag along Captain Marvel sneak-up on Thanos & whoop his arse...similar scenario...nope...it's all those years of buildup & events that unfolded before the final showdown with Frieza that made DBZ as memorable as it is...not just one big-ass final battle with cgi, green-screen, explosion wannabe Michael Bay crapfest

[Neo-Makaiōshin]

Goddamn....not again

Some things are better left alone. Just a decade....exactly 10 years ago, we witnessed monstrosity called evolution...now this rumor..news...whatever u call it

Just color swap with Asian casts that know martial-arts with green-screen wouldn't cut-it man. You gotta have real talented director, someone like James Cameroon or Christopher Nolan that immerse the audiences into their world...and DragonBall lore is huge...that it'll take several years if not decade to get things right...just imagine Goku & Co goin into outer-space fighting Frieza...you might think it's like Avengers:Endgame where Cap & co tag along Captain Marvel sneak-up on Thanos & whoop his arse...similar scenario...nope...it's all those years of buildup & events that unfolded before the final showdown with Frieza that made DBZ as memorable as it is...not just one big-ass final battle with cgi, green-screen, explosion wannabe Michael Bay crapfest

Why are you assuming in this hypothetical LA they would jump straight to Freeza instead of the first arcs of the manga?

[The Tori-bot]

I stopped reading at “wegotthiscovered.com”. The only thing that site's useful for is a punchline.

[Ryuji-Otogi]

The problem with Dragon Ball Evolution wasn’t so called white washing, its problem was just being a bad movie. lol I think there are better anime to make into live action. But hey, can’t say this won’t peak my interest if true I just hope it’s not Asian Dragon Ball Evolution

[Hellspawn28]

Don't believe in this BS story until something is official. Also, DBE was a box office failure. I doubt anyone wants to do another live action Dragon Ball movie.

[omegacwa]

Don't believe in this BS story until something is official. Also, DBE was a box office failure. I doubt anyone wants to do another live action Dragon Ball movie.

That's most likely because it completely alienated its own fan base. The movie is as fine as any other low budget grade F action movie, but as a Dragon Ball movie it failed.

A Dragon Ball movie that at least attempts to be 75% faithful with actors who pass as the characters would probably at least break even.

[Dragon Ball Ireland]

Disney? Gross. I can only hope this is not true.

Honestly while I don't believe this article, if it were true Disney is the studio I would trust to make a live action Dragon Ball movie work. They have a fantastic track record with Star Wars and the MCU. As long as they have the right directors, writers, actors, composer, etc and a good budget for all the effects I'd be all for it.

[Jaetinh]

I don't believe this one. However, just for the sake of it, let's say this is true. Then they definitely got my interest with the Asian cast! Bulma doesn't have to Asian in the film, but Goku, Yamcha, Tenshinhan and Krillin sure as hell need to be. "but, but Goku's alien". Yeah, so is Superman and you all would be pissed if a Japanese man was casted as Superman in a live action movie. Clark Kent is Caucasian and I'm pretty sure Toriyama made Goku with the intention of him looking and being Asian, even though he's an alien.

[Robo4900]

1. We Got This Covered are like Geekdom101: They're not so much reporting news as just sharing rumours they hear. Don't believe this until a proper reporter corroborates it.

2. Disney are trying to build on as many franchises as they can after their huge successes with Marvel and Star Wars. It's believable that they'd use the rights they got from the Fox buyout to try to make a live-action Dragon Ball franchise too.
Largely-Asian cast makes sense. With Disney doing Shang-Chi and Black Panther with Marvel, it's clear they're a studio who aren't quite as ready to whitewash such things as many other studios are.

3. If Disney make a Dragon Ball movie, we could expect to see unexpected, unknown casting, directorial, etc. choices. Given the good work they've done with Marvel doing faithful but distinct adaptations, I could see them making some great movies with the Dragon Ball license. At worst, we'd have some fun movies that have the trappings of Dragon Ball, and have a lot of the feel right, but ultimately are just fairly run-of-the-mill blockbusters for this time period. Which... Well... Given the track record of Dragon Ball movies, would actually be pretty good.

[Vijay]

Goddamn....not again

Some things are better left alone. Just a decade....exactly 10 years ago, we witnessed monstrosity called evolution...now this rumor..news...whatever u call it

Just color swap with Asian casts that know martial-arts with green-screen wouldn't cut-it man. You gotta have real talented director, someone like James Cameroon or Christopher Nolan that immerse the audiences into their world...and DragonBall lore is huge...that it'll take several years if not decade to get things right...just imagine Goku & Co goin into outer-space fighting Frieza...you might think it's like Avengers:Endgame where Cap & co tag along Captain Marvel sneak-up on Thanos & whoop his arse...similar scenario...nope...it's all those years of buildup & events that unfolded before the final showdown with Frieza that made DBZ as memorable as it is...not just one big-ass final battle with cgi, green-screen, explosion wannabe Michael Bay crapfest

Why are you assuming in this hypothetical LA they would jump straight to Freeza instead of the first arcs of the manga?

Easy. Cuz its considered trendy in hollywood or any wood for that matter...to cash-in on sumthin popular, to generate world-wide appeal & hence better reach & ROI (return of investment)

Tell me with a straight-face that any director or studio would wanna start off with Kid Goku in Mt with Grandpa Gohan, meeting Bulma, searching for DB & whole emperor Pilaf, 21st TB, RRA Arc takes place