Variety.com reported that IMAGI Animation Studio, the producer of 3D CGI movie "Astro Boy", is financially in trouble. The auditor of IMAGI said the company had bank and cash balances of HK$88.9 million ($11.5 million) on September 30th, 2008 but the production of the movie requires $66 million. The directors are reportedly searching for the resources but it's not certain they will make it before the deadline.

The movie was announced to be delivered in October 2009. Freddy Highmore, Nicolas Cage and Bill Nighty are cast for the main roles. Mushi Production, the creators of the original anime "Astro Boy", had turned down IMAGIC's initial character design, which was totally different from the original.

Variety.com
Variety Japan
NHK "Japanese Animation v.s. Hollywood" on Youtube