Warner Bros. and the Weinstein Company have officially announced that they will bring Imagi's Gatchaman and Astro Boy to North America in 2009.

After the relative success of TMNT, it was a no-brainer that The Weinstein Company would try to bring Imagi's next couple of projects. The only possible stumbling block was that Imagi was adapting a pair of anime classics for the silver screen, and anime doesn't have the biggest profile in North America.

Well worry no more. Warner Bros. and The Weinsteins announced on Thursday that they will bring both of Imagi's next movies, Gatchaman and Astro Boy, to North American mondoplexes in 2009.

"Imagi is breaking new ground with big action pictures done entirely in CG animation," said Jeff Robinov, Warner Bros. Pictures' president of production, during the announcement. "It's an exciting new genre, with the potential of attracting big mass market audiences."

"TMNT had the kind of beautifully choreographed action sequences you'd expect from Hong Kong animators," said Harvey Weinstein of the Weinstein Company. "The next two films will confirm Imagi's reputation as the world's leading action hero animation studio."

"We are delighted to be allied with the marketing and distribution power of Warner Bros. Pictures and The Weinstein Company," said Imagi co-CEO Douglas Glen.

"We're making Hollywood-style movies with Hong Kong-style excitement and stories that are fusions of Western and Asian themes," added Francis Kao, Imagi's other co-CEO.

Gatchaman: 1970's Series Introduced North America to Anime

Gatchaman is an adaptation of 1972 anime Kagaku ninja tai Gatchaman (translated as Science Ninja Team Gatchaman), a television series that first came to North America in 1978 as Battle of the Planets. It follows a team of genetically-modified teenagers who reluctantly become Earth's defenders against the evil organization Galactor, who wants to plunder the planet's resources.

Kevin Munroe (TMNT) is directing and writing the script, with assistance from Robert Mark Kamen (The Transporter) and Paul Dini (Batman: TAS). Lynne Southerland (Mulan II) is producing. Gatchaman comes out in early 2009.

Astro Boy: Osamu Tezuka's Beloved Robot is Ready for His Close-Up

Appearing later on in 2009 is Astro Boy, Imagi's re-imagining of the classic manga-turned-anime Tetsuwan Atomu by Osamu Tezuka, occasionally referred to as "the god of manga." Astro Boy first appeared way back in 1951, and the first anime appeared in 1963. Astro Boy enjoys a popularity in Asia roughly equivalent to Walt Disney's Micky Mouse.

Astro Boy follows the adventures of the titular robot, who was designed by scientist Doctor Tenma to replace his son, who died in a car accident. When Astro Boy was unable to act exactly like his dead child, Tenma sold him to a cruel circus owner. Another scientist, Professor Ochanomizu, bought Astro Boy and became his benevolent guardian, encouraging the robot to use his powers to fight evil and injustice.

Colin Brady (Toy Story 2, Everyone's Hero) will direct and Maryann Garger (Flushed Away) will produce.

Can Imagi Successfully Re-Imagine These Classic Properties?

Imagi is treading on hallowed ground with these adaptations of Gatchaman and Astro Boy. Both of them have a wildly enthusiastic fanbase, but little currency outside of that exclusive club.

The trick for Imagi will be to lure in the fans while making these movies palatable to those who can't tell the difference between the International Science Organization and the Ministry of Science (here's a hint: one's in Gatchaman, the other in Astro Boy).

Imagi promises that Gatchaman will adhere to the original concept and tone of the series, with no references to the North American versions, which edited out the violence and occasionally dropped in new characters (such as Battle of the Planet's 7-Zark-7) to smooth over the plot holes caused by said editing.

North American audiences are only familiar with Gatchaman via the bowdlerized Battle of the Planets and G-Force in the late 70's and early 80's. Certainly there are enough anime fans who have seen the full-throttle original, but are there enough of them in North America there to make it worth Warner Bros. and the Weinsteins' while?

In contrast, Astro Boy suffers from what can loosely be termed Lord of the Rings Syndrome. It's not that the classic series lacks North American fans, but they are so possessive of the character that any meddling with the beloved robot boy will make them turn on Imagi faster than Astro Boy can shoot bullets from his butt. Again, Imagi has to tread the line between pleasing the hard-core fans and enticing the newbies.

Both Gatchaman and Astro Boy come out in 2009.