Justin Chatwin and James Marsters to star in live-action DBZ

[Dark Vegeta-Sama]

Twentieth Century Fox is finally moving forward with a live-action adaptation of the hugely popular manga "Dragonball," casting the stars of the movie and setting a release date of next summer.

Justin Chatwin is starring as the hero while James Marsters will play the villain in the sci-fi adventure, which will be directed by James Wong. The movie has been penciled in for a worldwide release date of Aug. 15, 2008. Stephen Chow, the filmmaker behind "Kung Fu Hustle" and "Shaolin Soccer," is producing.

"Dragonball" is one of the most successful Japanese cultural exports of all time. The manga, created by Akira Toriyama and published by Tokyo's Jump Comics, was adapted into graphic novels, video games and a phenomenally successful television series that ran in Europe, Asia, Latin America and North America. "Dragonball's" popularity also generated more than $4 billion in merchandising sales. In North America, the property achieved the zenith of its popularity under the name "Dragonball Z."

The story follows an adult humanoid alien named Goku, who discovers that he was sent to Earth to blend in and destroy our population but instead elects to protect it from an oncoming alien onslaught bent on dominating the universe and controlling the mystical objects from which the film takes its name.

Chatwin, who will play Goku, has already begun training under the auspices of stunt performance company 87Eleven, which has executed and designed action pieces in pictures such as "The Matrix," "The Bourne Supremacy," "Mr. & Mrs. Smith" and "300." Marsters is playing the villainous Piccolo.


Wong rewrote the previous draft by Ben Ramsey.

Production begins later this year. Other major roles are currently being cast.

Chatwin, repped by WMA, is best known for his playing Tom Cruise's on in Steven Spielberg's "War of the Worlds."

Marsters is best known for his role as vampire Spike on "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" Piccolo. He is repped by the Kohner Agency and Himber Entertainment

Wong co-wrote and directed "Finale Destination" and "Final Destination 3," and was a writer-exec producer on "The X-Files." He is repped by Endeavor.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/con ... 7cdb7e6562

[SatoSky]

I'd watch the film just to see James. Don't know if he would be a good Piccolo, though. Anyway, I'll believe it when I read it on his website.

[Dark Vegeta-Sama]

I'd watch the film just to see James. Don't know if he would be a good Piccolo, though. Anyway, I'll believe it when I read it on his website.

It's already being reported on some other websites:

http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=39282

http://www.movieweb.com/news/96/24396.php

I know that it's best to be as speculative as possible, but this seems pretty genuine, whether it be for better or for worse.

Anyone want to bet that this will be the biggest trainwreck since the Super Mario Bros. movie?

[SatoSky]

It's already being reported on some other websites:

http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=39282

http://www.movieweb.com/news/96/24396.php

I know that it's best to be as speculative as possible, but this seems pretty genuine, whether it be for better or for worse.

Well I haven't really heard of any of those websites and don't know if they are reputable or not, but hey we'll see soon I guess.

Anyone want to bet that this will be the biggest trainwreck since the Super Mario Bros. movie?

Now that Marsters is involved I'm honestly hoping that it won't be, I've always enjoyed his work. Still though, a good actor cannot save a shitty script. The way movies have been going downhill for the last decade or so I'll have to agree with you. But yeah, James Marsters in a Dragon Ball Z movie, I'll actually pay to see that.

[Dark Vegeta-Sama]

Now that Marsters is involved I'm honestly hoping that it won't be, I've always enjoyed his work. Still though, a good actor cannot save a shitty script. The way movies have been going downhill for the last decade or so I'll have to agree with you.

I'll admit that Marsters is a pretty good casting choice for the "badass" character of Piccolo, though I'm surprised they didn't cast him as Vegeta instead.

[Rocketman]

I totally called this back in the BT3 thread.

[SatoSky]

I'll admit that Marsters is a pretty good casting choice for the "badass" character of Piccolo, though I'm surprised they didn't cast him as Vegeta instead.

Agreed. If anybody has seen Cool Money, or obviously Buffy/Angel, Marsters is great at playing the badass/villain. I'd definitely want to see him take on Vegeta.

What do you think about Justin Chatwin? I've only seen him in War of the Worlds, I didn't dislike his performance.

[Kaboom]

Still though, a good actor cannot save a shitty script.

Better than a good script ruined by shitty acting, if ya ask me.

Anyway... I'm not too familiar with either of these two, but if they're as good as you guys claim they are (Marsters, at least), then I have even higher hopes for this movie.

I want to check out these guys in action. I wanted to see The Invisible, so I'll rent that to cover Chatwin. But can anyone recommend me a notably good movie with Marsters?

[Dark Vegeta-Sama]

What do you think about Justin Chatwin? I've only seen him in War of the Worlds, I didn't dislike his performance.

He was... okay in War of the Worlds, though he played quite a dickwad of a character.

I haven't seen him in anything else so I can't really comment, though I wouldn't be surprised if casting him in this movie is an attempt to bring in a female audience who would otherwise avoid this like the plague.

I don't know, I heard The Invisible was decent, and I guess that movie would be an indicator as to whether or not this guy can carry a lead role effectively.

[SatoSky]

Still though, a good actor cannot save a shitty script.

Better than a good script ruined by shitty acting, if ya ask me.

Anyway... I'm not too familiar with either of these two, but if they're as good as you guys claim they are (Marsters, at least), then I have even higher hopes for this movie.

I want to check out these guys in action. I wanted to see The Invisible, so I'll rent that to cover Chatwin. But can anyone recommend me a notably good movie with Marsters?

Marsters hasn't been in many big movies. Cool Money was a good movie. It was a made for TV film, USA channel. It's based on a bank heist that happened in NY sometime in the 70's. It's been a while since I've seen it. You can also check out Shadow Puppets, if you're brave that is. It's not the least bit scary, and the acting is fucking horrible. Tony Todd and Marsters' performances made me finish the movie, not without a couple of bong hits though. Jeez was that a bad movie.

He'll also be in P.S. I Love You this year with a few big names from Hollyweird.
Synopsis for that movie:
A young widow discovers that her late husband has left her 10 messages intended to help ease her pain and start a new life.

He was... okay in War of the Worlds, though he played quite a dickwad of a character.

I haven't seen him in anything else so I can't really comment, though I wouldn't be surprised if casting him in this movie is an attempt to bring in a female audience who would otherwise avoid this like the plague.

I don't know, I heard The Invisible was decent, and I guess that movie would be an indicator as to whether or not this guy can carry a lead role effectively.

Yeah he was an asshole in that movie. I've yet to see The Invisible, so I'll pick that up to see how good he is.

[Conan the SSJ]

James Marsters has some true talent. I've seen him as Spike in Buffy/Angel and Brainiac in Smallville, he can own almost any scene he's given. If this is genuine, I know I now have a big reason to pay to see this as well. Marsters as Piccolo, hot damn.

This Justin Chatwin...ehh, dunno if I can see him as honoring Goku's character.

[SatoSky]

James Marsters has some true talent. I've seen him as Spike in Buffy/Angel and Brainiac in Smallville, he can own almost any scene he's given. If this is genuine, I know I now have a big reason to pay to see this as well. Marsters as Piccolo, hot damn.

This Justin Chatwin...ehh, dunno if I can see him as honoring Goku's character.

Glad to know that you enjoyed his performances on Buffy/Angel. He'll also be back to Smallville on January 3, as Milton Fine/Brainiac of course. Smallville's doing good this year, hope they don't mess it up.

[PerfectEnigma]

Well I haven't really heard of any of those websites and don't know if they are reputable or not, but hey we'll see soon I guess.

I really like www.comingsoon.net for movie updates. It is a very reliable source for information in my opinion.

I don't know, I heard The Invisible was decent, and I guess that movie would be an indicator as to whether or not this guy can carry a lead role effectively.

I thought the movie The Invisible was excellent, even though it does have mixed reviews. I felt Justin Chatwin did a good job with his lead role in that movie. Though I don't think Justin Chatwin could pull off Goku.

[JohnnyBoy_Z]

Oh shit! They both actually look like they'd be great as Goku and Piccolo. Now I'm getting excited.

[Brad Redfield]

Hmmm...I'm curious if the whole "Goku in high school angle" is still in the movie and which company is handling the special effects. Do any of you guys think they already have Chatwin signed up for a multiple-movie contract ala Tobey Maguire/Spider-Man?

I didn't know about Chow producing the picture. *Loved Kung-Fu Hustle*

[SatoSky]

Hmmm...I'm curious if the whole "Goku in high school angle" is still in the movie and which company is handling the special effects. Do any of you guys think they already have Chatwin signed up for a multiple-movie contract ala Tobey Maguire/Spider-Man?

I didn't know about Chow producing the picture. *Loved Kung-Fu Hustle*

I hope that shit's been dropped. If it has been dropped it might lead me to believe that there indeed may be a God.

As far as the multiple-movie contract, I doubt it. This film is probably just a test to see how the franchise does at the box office. If handled half competently they'll definitely see some good profit. That's where the mulitple-movie contract might come into play.

Kung-Fu Hustle was awesome.

[The Chibi Kiriyama]

Oh, God...I just saw this confirmed on Superhero Hype. I really hope this is a prank. I can just see them butchering this concept on the big screen right now...

[Chuquita]

God...I'm too wiped out to be able to process if this is another rumor or not; and I have NO IDEA who either of those actors are.

I saw some of those movies but I can't remember for the life of me what these two guys look like.

[tarrin4ever]

So this thing is really happening?

... I'm kinda scared now.



Hehe, Goku is Canadian.

[sailorspazz]

I'm surprised the movie will be released so soon. August 2008? Doesn't it usually take a long time to do post production stuff, especially if there's going to be a bunch of special effects? (which I would expect there to be, unless they decide to go with more pure martial arts fighting than big ki blasts). I just hope that it isn't too rushed and ends up shitty as a result (though whether it'll end up not shitty even with all the time in the world is yet to be seen, though I still have some hope that I might enjoy it regardless of the quality).