Gatchaman Movie Update

Hi all!

It's been a bit since we've had an update on the live action Gatchaman movie. Honestly, there hasn't been a while lot to report, at least not of great interest to those living outside of Japan. But, I figured many of you were probably wondering what was going on with it, so...

The movie had a big press screening last month, on July 16th. Along with the cast, the main staff, and the press, the screening also had a number of fans who were fortunately enough to win tickets to the screening in a drawing (Or, more likely, bought their tickets from those who did win, since a bunch of them were up for sale on Yahoo! Japan Auctions immediately before the screening). A second round of promotional preview screenings are taking place across Japan during the week before the film has its official premiere on the 24th. And, once again, tickets for those were given to lucky winners of various drawings, and many of those same tickets are being sold now on Yahoo! Japan Auctions.

The lucky people of Taiwan will be able to see the Movie next month, as the movie will be opening there on September 13th, thanks in no small part to the efforts of Kena, a major Gatchaman fan in Taiwan. Kena is also in charge of an Gatchaman exhibition at the Shin Kong Mitsukoshi department store in Kaishiung starting on September 26th. Go, Kena!

It's hard to believe, but the film has already had a screening in North America. The film was screened at the Fantasia International Film Festival in Montreal on August 6th -- subtitled, no less! I'm sorry that I didn't get word out about this in advance so some of you could have taken advantage of the opportunity. Alas, I was unaware of the screening until about six hours after it had happened, at which point it seemed somewhat useless to mention it. Wendy from the Battle of the Planets list found two reviews of the film from that screening, which can be found here:

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/...a-review-601838

http://twitchfilm.com/2013/08/fantasia-2...pped-wings.html

At this point, I know of no plans for a general release of the film in North America.

The cast, in particular the actors playing Ken, Joe, and Jun, have had articles turn up in numerous celebrity magazines in the last month., talking some about the film, as well as standard celebrity-type topics you see in your average issue of Entertainment Weekly or People. Fluff pieces, as it were.

The movie's official website has had some updates, mostly lists of the theaters screening the film, magazines with interviews with the actors, and the like. If you want to see a few new pictures from the film, click on the "About the Movie" link from the top page of the site, then go through the pages under "Introduction," "Characters," and "Director's Interview." The top page can be accessed here:

http://www.gatchaman-movie.jp/

It has also been announced that a new Good Morning Gatchaman adventure will be shown before the start of the film. This 3 minute comedy short will have Tori Matsuzaka, the actor who plays Ken in the movie, as a guest. Good Morning Gatchaman will also return to the Nippon Television's Zip! morning show for the week of August 19th to help promote the film. Both Mr. Matsuzaka and Go Ayano, the actor who portrays Joe in the movie, will be guest voices.

Speaking of NTV, their "Tokyo Hi-Imagine" show is having some Gatchaman movie coverage this week, including interviews with Mr. Ayano, as well as with Ayami Goriki, the actress who portrays Jun. Part of this includes having the costumes and props in the studio for displays. Their website has a number of photos of these being set up for the show, and can be found here:

http://www.ntv.co.jp/himajin/

Here are just a few of the photos from that page:









The costumes from the film will be on display in the 109Men's department store in Shibuya starting on the 25th. Their website can be found here:

http://www.109mens.jp/

Here is a picture of their display (Which looks a whole lot like the one being used for Tokyo Hi-Imagine...):



I hope this helps you feel a bit more up-to-date on the happenings with the live action Gatchaman movie!

James

I don't care what the reviews say. I will see it and then add the DVD to my collection. (and any other trinket I can afford off ebay)

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May the bad things get lost on the way to you door!

Hmm, not rave reviews from the three we've seen now, but the "Black Gate" reviewer seems to be the most familiar with the original Gatchaman, and also the one who likes the film the most. I certainly want to see it too -and I have a pretty high tolerance for films with lots of talking and melodrama.

Thank you for the updates, James! I'm surprised it was shown in Montreal, but the fact that it was subtitled leads me to hope that on the official DVD release there might be English subtitles there as well! *fingers crossed*

I find I often disagree with critics, so i don't take their opinions too seriously.

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Many thanks for keeping us continuously updated, James! Like TJ, I'm crossing my fingers that it wouldn't be long before we could watch the film with subtitles that we could understand!

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To be or not to be a gatchamaniac - that's the dilemma!