Thursday, March 19

• Meet the Dragonball Z Evolution Characters

  Five short spots for Dragonball Evolution went online, so take a minute to meet the characters in this cartoon-to-live-action adaptation.

  Goku (Justin Chatwin)

  Lord Piccolo (James Marsters):

  Bulma (Emmy Rossum):

  Roshi (Chow Yun Fat):

  Chi Chi (Jamie Chung):

  The spots aren't huge on detail, so learn more with our introductory guide to Dragonball.

  
  
  Next Showing: Dragonball Evolution opens April 8

  Posted 03/19/2009 by reelz

  Related: Emmy Rossum | Justin Chatwin | James Marsters | Jamie Chung | Dragonball Evolution

Thursday, February 5

• New Dragonball Evolution Trailer Shows Shenron

  In this clip you get to see a lot more martial arts action between the bad guy Piccolo (James Marsters) and the hero Goku (Justin Chatwin) -- and even a quick glimpse at the mystical dragon Shenron.

  In the original storyline, Shenron is the guardian of the dragonballs of Earth and grants a wish to whoever gathers all seven.

  
  
  Next Showing: Dragonball opens April 8

  Posted 02/05/2009 by Jim

  Related: Justin Chatwin | James Marsters | Chow Yun-Fat | Dragonball Evolution

Tuesday, December 9

• Dragonball Re-shoot Details Revealed

  Finally, some good news for beleaguered Dragonball fans. Okay, it's not necessarily good news, but it's better than some of us had anticipated. MTV's Shawn Adler chased down star Jamie Chung, who plays Chi Chi in the live-action adaptation of the hugely popular manga/anime series, to find out about the rumors of re-shoots that have plagued the production in recent weeks. "I think it's just one scene that they're gonna have to reshoot and it's the end fight," Chung told Adler. "I fortunately will not have to go back. I think it's the big fight between Justin Chatwin and James Marsters."

  Good to hear that it's only one scene that they have to re-shoot. Presumably it's the one pictured above which, now that we look at it, does seem kind of low-tech and cheesy. Hopefully director James Wong will do something to fix up the background, which in this instance looks like something out of a Sid and Marty Krofft show, for the re-shoot.

  
  
  Next Showing: Dragonball opens April 8, 2009 (we hope).

  Posted 12/09/2008 by reelz

  Related: Justin Chatwin | James Marsters | Jamie Chung | Dragonball Evolution

Monday, November 24

• Dragonball Preview

  What will Hollywood do when it runs out of comic books to adapt? As they search for new material to fuel the next wave of big-budget tentpole flicks, studios are increasingly turning to the world of Japanese manga (comics) and anime (animation) for inspiration. Astro Boy, Akira, Ninja Scroll, and Oldboy are just a few high-profile upcoming projects whose roots can be traced to back to Japan's twin pop-culture obsessions.

  Next April brings the release of Dragonball, Fox's live-action adaptation of Akira Toriyama's hugely popular manga, starring Chow Yun Fat, Justin Chatwin, and James Marsters. For those unfamiliar with the original Dragon Ball manga or the various anime series it spawned, we've prepared a handy preview of what to expect when the much-anticipated big-screen adaptation invades theaters next spring. Check out our introductory guide to the world of Dragonball.

  
  

  Posted 11/24/2008 by reelz

  Related: Justin Chatwin | James Marsters | Dragonball Evolution

Tuesday, November 18

• Goku Borrows a Move from Neo in Latest Leaked Dragonball Pic

  (To be fair, it could very well have been the other way around, as Matrix directors Larry and Andy Wachowski are known to be fervent devotees of manga/anime.) The latest in what's become a steady stream of leaked images from the upcoming Dragonball flick features Justin Chatwin's Goku bending over backwards, in Neo-like fashion, to avoid a punch from adversary Piccolo, played by Buffy the Vampire Slayer's James Marsters. Check out more images of Marsters and friends at civilizedjames.org.

  While Piccolo eventually became a good guy in the Dragon Ball manga, (Goku has a habit of making friends out of enemies, amiable chap that he is) it remains to be seen whether the same will occur in the James Wong's live-action adaptation. After all, American movie audiences traditionally like to see the villain die -- preferably in the most violent, ironic manner possible, followed by a suitably witty one-liner from the hero.

  
  

  Posted 11/18/2008 by reelz

  Related: Justin Chatwin | James Marsters | Dragonball Evolution

Wednesday, November 12

• Leaked Dragonball Photos Galore

  Not soon after the emergence of a controversial photo featuring what appeared to be Dragonball main character Goku in his ape-like "Oozaru" (thanks Alex) form (which Fox has since claimed to be an early, "temporary test" shot), a crop of glossy new Dragonball pics has been carefully placed by publicists leaked on the internet. Yesterday dbthemovie.com posted the new images, presumably meant to reassure fans that not all the characters will resemble Land of the Lost extras, to mostly positive reviews.

  Most notable of the new batch is the character Piccolo (played by James Marsters of TV's Smallville), whose complexion -- bronze with a dash of green, as if he's coming down with the flu -- hints (hopefully) at the emerald-colored Namekian badass he will eventually become.

  For a more official collection of Dragonball photos, check out IGN's recent post.

  
  

  Posted 11/12/2008 by reelz

  Related: James Marsters | Dragonball Evolution