It was announced two days ago that Hong Kong based animation studio Imagi International has optioned the rights from Tezuka Productions Co. Ltd to produce Osamu Tezuka's Astro Boy into a CG animated film. The cult-classic 60's anime series known in Japan as Tetsuwan Atom (鉄腕アトム), roughly translates to "Mighty Atom" has gain a level of popularity equivalent to Disney's Mickey Mouse during its run on TV. Among the studio's other upcoming CG animated films currently in production include TMNT and Gatchaman. Here is a brief synopsis according to the press release:
The original "Astro Boy" story follows the adventures of boy-sized robot "Atom." With the help of his friends, he battles enemies attacking the world and faces personal challenges in adapting to the human world.
The target theatrical release date is 2009.
Full Details at the Official Imagi's Astro Boy Press Release (PDF file)
What happened to the Genndy Tartakovsky astro boy film?
I think Tartakovsky ended up doing DARK CRYSTAL II instead of that. This is good news to me as I like what little I've seen of Imagi's take on TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES, which I had very low expectations for. I'd love to see their take on Astro Boy based solely on the TURTLES trailer.