Saiyan Island

My source in Japan has once again provided us with the goods, and in watermark free glory to boot. This time, we’ve received scans from the August issue of Jump Square magazine.

And here are the cast comments, translated to English.

Justin Chatwin (Goku)

I am very honored to be able to play Goku. When I am playing gentle and loving Goku, I feel as if I am given energy from him. In the movie, I have a lot of great action scenes. After the movie is finished post production, I’ll get to see my Kamehameha appear on the screen, and I get very excited when I imagine that.

Chow Yun-Fat (Master Roshi)

On my career as an actor, it is my first time to play a manga character. Dragonball is read all over the world, have many hard core fans. I hope they won’t be disappointed by my acting (laugh). But to be honest with you, I’m totally satisfied with my performance as Master Roshi.

Emmy Rossum (Bulma)

It is a very exciting thing for me to play Bulma, because I’m a big fan of her myself. She’s intelligent, motivated and has a short temper like a teenager. I really want to make all the fans of her happy.

Joon Park (Yamcha)

I like Dragonball very much because I read it when I was child, so when I got to audition I begged the director to “Please give me any small part, like a man carrying sandbags behind the screen.” (laugh) Furthermore, there is Chow Yun-Fat who is my hero from when I was child. This is a dream role for me.

Discuss at LegendaryForums.com.

We have received more information regarding the manga-fied set visit released in the July issue of Jump Square magazine.

First, Anime News Network revealed the author of the manga.

Akiba ZaijÅ« is Jump Square’s monthly column drawn by manga artist Daisuke Kadokuni. Kadokuni usually profiles a different aspect of Tokyo’s Akihabara Otaku shopping district every month, but took a press tour of Dragonball movie’s production for his July issue installment.

And secondly, my source in Japan translated the magazine article that came along with the images.

The manga’s author and his company (magazine editor) went to the hotel Gobernador to stay, and there was a cowboy-like man who put on a cowboy hat and shouted “Dragonball ! ” like that. The author didn’t know who he was.

The next day, they went to the movie set (formerly a jeans factory) by bus. There were many crew constructing the set, making tiles for the floor using cement. Producer Tim Van Rellim greeted them and introduced the set. They found Bluma’s three-wheeler bike.

This was very excellent and [they actually saw it] driving. Then they went to the Dojo set. There were burn marks on the wall, and there were weapons (swords etc.) made of metal, and they were very heavy. They then went outside, and saw the dragonball sphere, dragon radar and the power pole. When the author pushed the button of the dragon radar it was almost broken by him.

Next they went to Piccolo’s room. [It was] a very futuristic feeling. Tim [Van Rellim] sat down in the chair, and he said that Piccolo would sit here and using his powers he would create monsters.

They left the set, went to the Durango governor’s house for the banquet party, and there was the cowboy man again. The author asked his company, “That cowboy man is the same man we met at the hotel, does he do an acrobatic show riding the horses?” (there were horses). His company said “What are you talking about? is that a Mexican joke? He is Justin Chatwin, he plays Goku.” He was surprised. He didn’t think he stayed at the same hotel. Then he remembered that he saw a man that resembled James Marsters, was it him? But he didn’t ask.

Next day he and his company wore Goku’s cosplay Gi brought from Japan and went to the set again. When they were walking in the set, suddenly a tall man appeared, he was Chow Yun-Fat. He said “How are you? Kawaii nee(You are pretty)” and shaked hands with him. He was very impressed. He was very happy to go to Mexico and see Chow Yun-fat. He also saw Emmy Rossum too. She said “Daisuki” (I love you) and he freezed with joy.

And finally, Justin Chatwin wearing Goku’s Gi appeared with the wind. It was a Hollywood version cosplay so to speak, but its perfection level was far more high than a normal cosplayers. He was the real Goku. The next issue they will interview him and reveal the outfit.

He also informed us that Eddie Yang (Ironman, Narnia 2, Batman) from Ironhead Studios (X-Men 2, Hellboy 2) was involved in the movie as a character designer.

« Part 1 of this article

Here are the high quality photos from the International Licensing Expo in New York that Compi716 sent to the site. Companies who are interested in creating merchandise for the movie may look at the information and photos provided at the expo and then decide whether or not they’d like to be licensed.

My source in Japan received the July issue of Jump Square magazine, which has a report on the live-action movie. But a set report for this magazine is not exciting enough. Instead, we are treated to… a manga! But, don’t take my word for it, here are some exclusive scans for you to chew on. Click to enlarge.

Bulma’s three-wheeler motorcycle. We can see the can-am logo on the body.

Official Dragonball poster.

Piccolo’s futuristic-looking room. Producer [Tim Van Rellim] said Piccolo would create monsters using his powers in this room. Maybe the fulum assassins?

Justin Chatwin as Goku wearing an orange Gi, but they say this illustration’s Gi design is not real. Real Gi picture will be revealed in the next issue.

Dragon Radar (Dragonball locator device).

A large set. A volcano, perhaps?

Dojo (training hall).

Dragonball sphere. Producer Tim [Van Rellim] said that stars inside would be added later with computer graphics.

Nyoibou (Power Pole).

The blood-stained Dojo.

Part 2 of this article »

UPDATE: High quality scans of these images can now be found here.

Compi716 sent DBtheMovie some exclusive (albeit low quality) pictures from the Licensing International Expo at the New York Javits Center. He promises higher quality photos soon.

The same source who sent us the Weekly Young Jump scans has just recently sent us these exclusive new scans from the July 7th issue of Roadshow magazine. Click to enlarge.




You can also view the characters individually by clicking the images below.

Included in the translations are comments from the cast, and the director James Wong!

Goku – Justin Chatwin
I think it is an honor to play Goku. He is a universal character, as if a reincarnation of Luke Skywalker, really great character to play. Goku always takes action himself, is positive thinking, helps the weak. He had a great influence on myself.

Chi-Chi – Jamie Chung
This movie is the first action movie for me. I’m very proud of my first work in such a large scale. I enjoyed the martial arts training and everyone tried very hard. This movie is sure to be special,
please see this.

Yamcha – Joon Park
When I was a child, I had a lot of Japanese friends, I was familiar with Dragonball’s characters. Manga is a part of my life. Yamcha is an ironic and humorous character. He talks tough, but actually he is soft and a little weak on the inside. Please pay attention to his change through the journey.

Bulma – Emmy Rossum
Bulma is very funky, sexy and strong-minded, a wonderful character. I’m very happy to be able to play this role. I feel responsible for this role because there are many fan of the original manga. We are working hard to please the fans.

Master Roshi – Chow Yun-Fat
Master Roshi is a very funny guy. Anyway… he’s funny (laugh) Indeed, it is my first time in my career to play a manga character like this. Normally I can’t play a 300 year old man, but I enjoy playing this role. The director is doing good job, I think he mixes Eastern and Western culture well.

Dragonball is the best-seller manga from Weekly Shonen Jump. Original manga is made up of 42 volumes in a epic story. The animation has aired overseas, and has hardcore fans all over the world. But how will they make it into a movie ?

“Original manga is definitely a classic. Due to time constraints, I’m sorry I can’t adopt all the wonderful things from the original, but I’m happy I’m involved in this movie and I think it turned out well. I think the manga readers will find [many] things they have liked in the manga, that is, the spirit of the original,” director James Wong said.

Final Destination (2000), The One (2001) and etc. have received high acclaim for [their] own visual style, and we are anticipating the visual stylings in Dragonball!

Someone who wishes to remain anonymous sent us a scan from Weekly Young Jump in high quality. There might be more to come…

Amanz points out that the Goku and Bulma photos on the bottom of the page look like they are from a poster.

We’ve also got a translation!

The world wide masterpiece that Japan can be proud of finally will make into a Hollywood movie! Many of our readers are the Dragonball generation, so we will introduce you new information in series toward the upcoming movie release in 2009 !

(a caption of Goku picture)
This is movie version Son Goku ! Goku, who is staring at a dragonball. What will he wish for with this mysterious gem?

How will original manga of Mr.Toriyama be depicted as live-action? it is anticipated in the entire world.

What is Dragonball?
Though we think it is needless to explain it, we will review for the preparation of movie release. It is created by Akira Toriyama, was serialized in the Weekly Shonen Jump from 1984. Strong and cheerful boy Son Goku and his adventure story captivated the readers quickly.

Dragonball allways kept running on the top of the manga field. Unfortunately it ended its serialization in 1995. Its popularity is not only domestic but also other Asia, Europe and the United States, it is loved by people all over the world.

In the next hot news No.2, we will deliver you the report on the set around summer.