Vin
03-12-2002, 06:27 AM
Fox Acquires Live-Action Theatrical Rights to 'DRAGONBALL'
Worldwide Phenomenon Encompassing Comic Books, Television, Video and Games to Become Live Action Motion Picture Event
LOS ANGELES--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--March 12, 2002--Twentieth Century Fox has acquired rights to turn the worldwide pop cultural phenomenon DRAGONBALL into a live action, event motion picture under its Fox 2000 division, it was announced today by Jim Gianopulos and Tom Rothman, Chairmen of Fox Filmed Entertainment.
Fox 2000 president Elizabeth Gabler will oversee the project.
Created by Japanese writer Akira Toriyama as a best-selling graphic novel, DRAGONBALL has become a multimedia phenomenon, including television, home videos, video games -- and now, motion pictures. The property, which for over 15 years has chronicled the mythology of its characters and settings, has an enormous following among young adult males as well as kids. DRAGONBALL is a top-rated show on the Cartoon Network. In addition, it is the most popular searched term in the history of the Lycos Top 50, and receives over five million hits a day on the official DRAGONBALL Web site.
Fox acquired the rights from Mr. Akira Toriyama, who was represented by his publisher, Shueisha. The parties also plan to pursue development of other projects controlled by Shueisha, a leader in the field of manga and anime properties.
Commented Mr. Akira Toriyama: "I have always drawn my manga (comics) with the desire to create something unique to comics, something that can only be expressed in the form of comics. I felt that if I didn't do so, the reason for the existence of my comics will become weak. But recent movies have surprised us by entering such territory that used to belong only to comics with wonderful technology and wisdom. As a big movie fan, I am truly looking forward to the movie version of DRAGONBALL. I hope you will entertain millions and millions of people with the brand new DRAGONBALL of a totally new dimension that surpasses my imagination."
Added Shueisha: "DRAGONBALL has intrigued children all over the world, once in manga and twice in animation. And now the third chance to intrigue the world has come in live action feature film with Twentieth Century Fox as the powerful partner. We can't wait to see how the film turns out. We're sure that children all over the world share our excitement."
Commented Fox's Mr. Gianopulos: "Acquiring DRAGONBALL is a major coup for the studio. It's an amazing and creative property, rich in great characters and unique worlds, and we are thrilled to be involved with it. We look forward to launching DRAGONBALL as our newest live-action motion picture franchise."
The various DRAGONBALL properties relate an epic story between good and evil, involving super-powerful beings from another planet, known as the Saiyans, who protect Earth from the forces of darkness. Chief among the characters is the heroic Goku.
Fox Filmed Entertainment is a unit of Fox Entertainment Group.
"Dragon Ball" and "Dragon Ball Z" air weekdays on Cartoon Network's popular Toonami block.
Worldwide Phenomenon Encompassing Comic Books, Television, Video and Games to Become Live Action Motion Picture Event
LOS ANGELES--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--March 12, 2002--Twentieth Century Fox has acquired rights to turn the worldwide pop cultural phenomenon DRAGONBALL into a live action, event motion picture under its Fox 2000 division, it was announced today by Jim Gianopulos and Tom Rothman, Chairmen of Fox Filmed Entertainment.
Fox 2000 president Elizabeth Gabler will oversee the project.
Created by Japanese writer Akira Toriyama as a best-selling graphic novel, DRAGONBALL has become a multimedia phenomenon, including television, home videos, video games -- and now, motion pictures. The property, which for over 15 years has chronicled the mythology of its characters and settings, has an enormous following among young adult males as well as kids. DRAGONBALL is a top-rated show on the Cartoon Network. In addition, it is the most popular searched term in the history of the Lycos Top 50, and receives over five million hits a day on the official DRAGONBALL Web site.
Fox acquired the rights from Mr. Akira Toriyama, who was represented by his publisher, Shueisha. The parties also plan to pursue development of other projects controlled by Shueisha, a leader in the field of manga and anime properties.
Commented Mr. Akira Toriyama: "I have always drawn my manga (comics) with the desire to create something unique to comics, something that can only be expressed in the form of comics. I felt that if I didn't do so, the reason for the existence of my comics will become weak. But recent movies have surprised us by entering such territory that used to belong only to comics with wonderful technology and wisdom. As a big movie fan, I am truly looking forward to the movie version of DRAGONBALL. I hope you will entertain millions and millions of people with the brand new DRAGONBALL of a totally new dimension that surpasses my imagination."
Added Shueisha: "DRAGONBALL has intrigued children all over the world, once in manga and twice in animation. And now the third chance to intrigue the world has come in live action feature film with Twentieth Century Fox as the powerful partner. We can't wait to see how the film turns out. We're sure that children all over the world share our excitement."
Commented Fox's Mr. Gianopulos: "Acquiring DRAGONBALL is a major coup for the studio. It's an amazing and creative property, rich in great characters and unique worlds, and we are thrilled to be involved with it. We look forward to launching DRAGONBALL as our newest live-action motion picture franchise."
The various DRAGONBALL properties relate an epic story between good and evil, involving super-powerful beings from another planet, known as the Saiyans, who protect Earth from the forces of darkness. Chief among the characters is the heroic Goku.
Fox Filmed Entertainment is a unit of Fox Entertainment Group.
"Dragon Ball" and "Dragon Ball Z" air weekdays on Cartoon Network's popular Toonami block.