ROTTEN TOMATOES: Freddie Highmore Is Astro Boy

Freddie Highmore Is Astro Boy

Spiderwick star to protect Metro City.

by Jeff Giles | February 29, 2008

Imagi Studios hasn't yet fully fired up the hype machine for its big-screen CGI take on Osamu Tezuka's Astro Boy, but the time isn't far off -- matter of fact, the computer-animated hero just got himself a voice.

According to a press release issued by the studio, Freddie Highmore (The Spiderwick Chronicles) has signed on to lend his pipes to the mechanical boy wonder in the upcoming production. Director David Bowers gushed about the 16-year-old actor:

"It's terrific that Freddie has agreed to play Astro. He's a remarkably skilled young actor, whose freshness and vitality make him perfect for the role. Astro Boy is a beloved superhero and has captured hearts around the globe for more than 50 years. I can't wait to see where Freddie takes him."

Set to be released in 2009, Astro Boy's synopsis follows below:

The original Astro Boy follows the adventures of a robot created in the image of a child but with extraordinary powers. Lost in a complex future world, Astro Boy must learn to find his place. With the help of his friends, he discovers how to use his powers for good.

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(1-20 of 22 posts) | Reply

rustdog writes:
on Feb 29 2008 05:20 AM

Scrap the accent.

(Reply to this)

Silverevilchao writes:
on Feb 29 2008 06:09 AM

OH GOD NO.

(Reply to this)

leaf71 writes:
on Feb 29 2008 07:45 AM

You know there can only be three kids in Hollywood at any one time.
It's what they call "critical mass".
Or as they say in french: photosynthesis.

What, were you hoping for Christopher Walken?
"You see... I am an... Astroboy... hence the name... 'Astroboy'."

(Reply to this)

jokerboy1991 writes:
on Feb 29 2008 08:48 AM

I dont like that FREDDy kid, i dont know why, I just dont like him.

(Reply to this)

bigbrother writes:
on Feb 29 2008 09:15 AM

In reply to this comment (#1608469)
emmm why? The kids English and really an English accent never hurt Sir Laurence Olivier or Sir Ian McKellan or the British accent definately helped the career of moment of silence...Sean Connery. YESHHHHHH!!!!!

(Reply to this)

rustdog writes:
on Feb 29 2008 10:28 AM

In reply to this comment (#1608696)
Because Astro boy shouldn't sound like Hugh Grant.

(Reply to this)

Ashron writes:
on Feb 29 2008 10:51 AM

And of course no British actor could ever pull off an American or non-specific accent.

(Reply to this)

Oblivioncry writes:
on Feb 29 2008 11:32 AM

why are they even doing it, they couldnt do him justice.

the only writer right now who could make a good script is naoki urasawa coz his on going manga Pluto is based on Astroboy and he shows just how much depth there is to the characters in takezu's work....

and seriously, english ???

(Reply to this)

Young Turk writes:
on Feb 29 2008 02:26 PM

In reply to this comment (#1608812)
Tezuka's work....

(Reply to this)

pom_pom288 writes:
on Feb 29 2008 04:14 PM

Great, another film where Freddie Highmore plays a glazed-eye, befuddled young boy trying to make sense of the world.

(Reply to this)

~*Admiral Snowstorm*~ writes:
on Feb 29 2008 04:27 PM

I don't much Freddie Highmore either. He's a decent actor and all, but he irks me a bit as well. Still, I guess I'll wait to see how Astroboy turns out before I blame him for it, although my hopes aren't very high.

(Reply to this)

Silverevilchao writes:
on Feb 29 2008 05:01 PM

Perhaps I should clarify. The "OH GOD NO" referred to the fact that an Astro Boy movie was being made, not the actor.

Seriously, leave the old cartoons alone. What's next, Kimba the White Lion?

(Reply to this)

Pilgermann writes:
on Feb 29 2008 07:10 PM

"What's next, Kimba the White Lion?"

Probably.

(Reply to this)

Kollikodon writes:
on Feb 29 2008 11:58 PM

In reply to this comment (#1609465)
They called it LION KING

(Reply to this)

kobe8byrant writes:
on Mar 01 2008 06:07 AM

Well, Hugh Laurie could sound American, why can't Highmore? Give the kid a break. I liked him in August Rush.

(Reply to this)

smartmoviekid writes:
on Mar 01 2008 12:51 PM

umm tilda swinton had a british accent, yet she played an AMERICAN LAWYER in Micheal Clayton. what happened? she won an oscar. british actors can be american on-screen just fine, highmore can do it too.

(Reply to this)

smartmoviekid writes:
on Mar 01 2008 12:51 PM

at least with voice

(Reply to this)

Relapse writes:
on Mar 01 2008 03:20 PM

So, I guess the chances of Astroboy ripping limbs off of people is probably pretty slim. Perhaps a NR DVD? One can hope.

(Reply to this)

vaodsi writes:
on Mar 02 2008 12:56 AM

Highmore is sixteen...... i wonder if he'll ever grow up. it was really distracting during spiderwick when his voice kept changing. one minute it was charlie and the chocolate factory, the next he sounded like a sixteen year old. i hope the kid can get himself placed in some decent films before his child-actor buzz wears out....... august rush was silly. but he can act. VERY WELL.

(Reply to this)

kfarschman writes:
on Mar 02 2008 08:42 AM

In reply to this comment (#1608696)
Sean Connery isn't English.

The few cartoons of Astroboy I saw were quite underwhelming. It's the type of show that Powerpuff Girls is a parody of.

(Reply to this)

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