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// Workers AI · dad joke modeWhat did Imagi Animation Studios say to the drawing? "You're a real draft.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Cat Tale)

Imagi Animation Studios Limited
TypePublic SEHK
IndustryCGI animation
Founded2000; 26 years ago (2000)
Defunct5 February 2010; 16 years ago (2010-02-05)
FateBankruptcy
HeadquartersChai Wan, Hong Kong
Key people
  • President & Co-CEO: Francis Kao
  • Chairman: Francis Leung Pak To
  • Executive Director & Co-CEO: Soh Szu Wei
OwnerImagi International Holdings Limited
Number of employees
400 in Hong Kong[1]
Websitewww.imagi.com.hk

Imagi Animation Studios, also known as Imagi Studios, was a computer animation and visual effects studio based in Hong Kong, and established in 2000 by Imagi International Holdings Limited (SEHK: 585), a Hong Kong–based investment company.

Background

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In 2000, Imagi Animation Studios was set up and production started on its first project, the CGI-animated television series Zentrix. The company had a studio in Chai Wan, Hong Kong, as well as a creative development and production facility in Los Angeles, California and a satellite office in Tokyo.

The company's first CGI-animated theatrical film TMNT was released on March 23, 2007, by Warner Bros. in the United States and Canada, opening No. 1 at the box office, and was being distributed internationally by the Weinstein Company. Imagi's focus was to create high-quality CGI-animated feature films with superhero themes to entertain global audiences, combining Hollywood storytelling with computer animation done in Hong Kong.

Setbacks and bankruptcy

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In January 2009, Imagi's auditing firm announced that the studio lacked funding to complete the release of Cat Tale (which was to have been released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer[2]) and Gatchaman. Art director Felix Ip reported that Gatchaman's release was not expected until later in 2009.[3] In June 2009, Imagi opened Gatchaman to licensing partners and announced a 3-D theatrical release for 2011.[4] In October 2009, Imagi released Astro Boy, based on the manga series of the same name. The film received generally mixed reviews from film critics and was a box-office bomb, losing the company $23 million in the process.

In January 2010, Imagi's Hong Kong–based parent company Imagi International Holdings Limited announced that the Gatchaman project will be "delivered in 100% Stereoscopic 3-D" and that in order to safeguard working capital, it closed its United States subsidiaries. This closure was finalized in late January with the layoff of approximately 30 staffers and the retaining of a few key personnel who will continue to work as consultants as Imagi seeks $30 million from investors to continue its animation projects.[5][6][7]

On February 5, 2010, following the financial failure of Astro Boy, Imagi Animation Studios filed for bankruptcy.[8][9][10]

Works

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Theatrical feature films

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# Title Release date(s) Distributor/Co-production with
1 TMNT March 23, 2007Warner Bros.
The Weinstein Company
2 Astro Boy October 8, 2009Summit Entertainment

Television/Direct-to-video films

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# Title Release date(s) Distributor/Co-production with Note(s)
1 Digital Monster X-Evolution January 3, 2005Toei Animation
Toei Company		Television film
2 Highlander: The Search for Vengeance June 5, 2007Madhouse
Manga Entertainment		OVA

Short films

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# Title Release date Associated Feature Film
1 The RRF in New Recruit 2010Astro Boy
2 Astro Boy vs. The Junkyard Pirates

TV series

[edit]
# Title Release date(s) Distributor/Co-production with
1 Zentrix 2002Bandai Entertainment
2 Father of the Pride 2004–2005DreamWorks Animation
NBCUniversal Syndication Studios

Cancelled films

[edit]
# Title Description
1 Gatchaman[11] Imagi began developing a film version in 2004, with producer Tom Gray saying that it would have a PG-13 or R rating.[12] A Gatchaman film was first announced in February 2006,[13] with an expected 2008 release.[14][15][3] Kevin Munroe (TMNT) was scheduled to write and direct,[16] with Lynne Southerland (co-director of Mulan 2) as producer,[17] and an initial treatment was begun.[18] However, in 2008 Munroe was taken off the project to direct Dylan Dog along with creative differences with Imagi & Warner Bros., who were planning to distribute the movie.[19] Although early scripts were written by Paul Dini,[20] in fall 2007 he was released from the project.[21] In June 2007, Robert Mark Kamen was signed to write the screenplay in preparation for a 2008 release.[22][23]

At the July 2008 Comic-Con, Imagi introduced a Paul Dini-scripted trailer. In August, art director Felix Ip began posting screenshots from the trailer. At the July 2009 Anime Expo, Imagi shared another 45-second, Dini-scripted trailer. Although it did not reveal much plot, it was the first public look at the 3D characterizations of the main villain Galactor and the Gatchaman team in and out of costume. The trailer also introduced the film's theme: "A world in chaos, an alien evil, a lone warrior is found; Earth's last hope, five shall rise, Gatchaman."[24] In July 2009 Imagi posted a new one-minute trailer for Gatchaman on its company website, with a release date of 2011.[25]

In December 2009, auditors reported growing concerns with the half-year results posted by Imagi. Although the company said that it was on course for the release of Astro Boy, according to the audit firm "It is uncertain whether the group will have the necessary financial resources to complete [the films] Gatchaman, Tusker, and Cat Tale."[26] In January 2009, the auditing firm announced that the studio lacked funding for the release of Tusker, Cat Tale and Gatchaman,[4] although Felix Ip reported that Gatchaman was expected to be released later in 2009.[3] In June 2009, Imagi opened Gatchaman for licensing and announced a planned 3-D theatrical release in 2011.[4] On December 11, 2009, Imagi's Hong Kong-based parent company, Imagi International Holdings Limited, laid off 100 employees.[27] In January 2010 it announced that although the Gatchaman project would be delivered in 100-percent stereoscopic 3D, to safeguard working capital it would close its U.S. subsidiaries. The U.S. closure was finalized in late January, with about 30 staffers laid off and a few key personnel continuing as consultants as Imagi sought $30 million from investors for its animation projects.[5][6][7] In February 2010 the parent company laid off another 300 employees, calling the layoffs temporary as it sought new investors.[27] On June 21, 2011, Imagi announced in its annual report that the Gatchaman film project was cancelled.[28]

2 T28[29] On December 26, 2008, Felix Ip, the creative director of Imagi Animation Studios, revealed screenshots from a computer-animated teaser trailer featuring Tetsujin and Black Ox.[30] On January 9, 2009, the Japanese animation company Hikari Productions and Imagi launched the projects website, as well as the full teaser featuring Shotaro and Dr. Franken.[31]
3 The Legend of Zelda[32] In 2007, Imagi Animation Studios, which had provided the animation for TMNT and Astro Boy, created a pitch reel for a computer-animated The Legend of Zelda film. Nintendo did not accept the studio's offer due to the memory of the failure of the 1993 live-action film adaptation of Super Mario Bros.[33]
4 Cat Tale[34] Cat Tale was a planned animated film by Imagi Animation Studios starring Sean Astin, Elisha Cuthbert, Jerry O'Connell, David Cross, Catherine O'Hara, Rip Torn, Stanley Tucci, R. Lee Ermey, Michael Richards, Fred Willard, Chazz Palminteri, Wayne Knight, Billy Idol and Alan Cumming. Imagi Studios canceled the film in 2007, and closed altogether in February 2010 due to financial trouble about debts that they haven't paid their employees.
5 Tusker[35] In December 1998, DreamWorks and PDI announced their third computer-animated project titled Tusker, which was meant to follow Shrek. It would have been an original story chronicling a herd of elephants crossing southeast Asia. In their travels, they encounter a wide variety of dangers, including a band of marauding poachers. Tim Johnson and Brad Lewis, the co-director and producer of Antz respectively, were slated to direct and produce the project, and Morgan Freeman, Jodie Foster, Garry Shandling, Dana Carvey, Bruno Kirby and Don Knotts were part of the cast.[36]
6 Trigun[37]
7 Fluorescent Black[38] Fluorescent Black is an original screenplay written in 2007 by writer/director M. F. Wilson and optioned by Imagi Studios who then commissioned the adaptation into the graphic novel.[39]
8 Project: Monster[40]

References

[edit]
  1. ↑ Ho, Pui Yan (16 March 2009). 意馬新動畫《阿童木》決定400港產創意壯士前路. MoneyMonday (in Japanese). Hong Kong: Ming Pao. p. B3.
  2. ↑ Cat Tale at Animation Magazine
  3. 1 2 3 It closed its doors as Imagi to assume another company name as to avoid any unclaimed debts to investors and staff. "Astro Boy maintenu, Gatchaman sur la corde raide" (in French). Otakia. 9 January 2009. Archived from the original on 9 April 2015. Retrieved 29 January 2010.
  4. 1 2 3 Tribbey, Chris (3 June 2009). "Imagi Seeks Licensing Deals for 'Gatchaman'". Home Media Magazine. Retrieved 30 January 2010.
  5. 1 2 "Imagi Animation Studio Closes Los Angeles Office". Anime News Network. 27 January 2010. Retrieved 29 January 2010.
  6. 1 2 McLean, Thomas J. (29 January 2010). "Imagi Closes L.A. Studio". Animation Magazine. Retrieved 30 January 2010.
  7. 1 2 Gediminas, J. (26 January 2010). "Imagi International Holdings Ltd (OTCBB: IINHY) Still In Talks To Raise Capital". HotStocked.com. Archived from the original on 8 July 2023. Retrieved 30 January 2010.
  8. ↑ "意馬數百員工面臨遣散" (in Chinese). Sina.com. 6 February 2010. Archived from the original on 11 February 2010. Retrieved 28 November 2015.
  9. ↑ "Imagi Studios Animation liquidator cut of more than 300 people" (in Chinese). Oriental Daily. 6 February 2010. Retrieved 28 November 2015.
  10. ↑ "HK studio behind 'TMNT,' 'Astro Boy' shuts down (AP)". Yahoo. Associated Press. 9 February 2010. Archived from the original on 14 February 2010. Retrieved 28 November 2015.
  11. ↑ "Gunpla Builders, CG Gatchaman Promo Videos Streamed". Anime News Network. 15 July 2010. Retrieved 17 July 2019.
  12. ↑ Cite error: The named reference ms1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  13. ↑ Cite error: The named reference sfj was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  14. ↑ "Yatterman, Gatchaman Live-Action Movies Green-Lit". Anime News Network. 10 July 2008. Retrieved 20 July 2008.
  15. ↑ Cite error: The named reference v1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  16. ↑ Cite error: The named reference awn1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  17. ↑ Cite error: The named reference u1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  18. ↑ Cite error: The named reference iesb was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  19. ↑ Cite error: The named reference bd1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  20. ↑ Cite error: The named reference sh1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  21. ↑ Cite error: The named reference 411m was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  22. ↑ Cite error: The named reference aa1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  23. ↑ Cite error: The named reference sd1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  24. ↑ Cite error: The named reference mtv1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  25. ↑ "Gunpla Builders, CG Gatchaman Promo Videos Streamed". Anime News Network. Retrieved 19 July 2010.
  26. ↑ Cite error: The named reference v2 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  27. 1 2 Cite error: The named reference ann2 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  28. ↑ Green, Scott (21 June 2011). "Imagi Gatchaman CG Movie... Looked Dead... Coffin Now Nailed Shut". Crunchyroll. Retrieved 5 July 2011.
  29. ↑ "Imagi Launches Testujin 28 site with CG Test Trailer". Anime News Network. 9 January 2009. Retrieved 9 January 2009.
  30. ↑ "New "Tetsujin 28" Teaser". Felix Ip. 26 December 2008. Archived from the original on 3 August 2025. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  31. ↑ "Imagi Launches "Tetsujin 28" Site with CG Test Teaser". Anime News Network. 9 January 2009. Archived from the original on 12 January 2009. Retrieved 10 January 2009.
  32. ↑ Vejvoda, Jim (4 August 2013). "Footage From the Unproduced Legend of Zelda CG-Animated Movie". IGN. Retrieved 10 August 2013.
  33. ↑ Vejvoda, Jim (4 August 2013). "Footage From the Unproduced Legend of Zelda CG-Animated Movie". IGN. Archived from the original on 6 August 2019. Retrieved 6 August 2019.
  34. ↑ "Cat Tale original trailer". YouTube. 26 February 2019.
  35. ↑ "Imagi Studios revives 'Tusker' tale". 10 August 2008. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
  36. ↑ Amidi, Amid (17 December 1998). "PDI and Dreamworks announce their third film, "Tusker"". Animation World Network.
  37. ↑ "mak ching lok demo reel 45-47". YouTube. 4 August 2011.
  38. ↑ "Imagi Goes Black". 9 November 2007. Retrieved 6 August 2024.
  39. ↑ Frater, Patrick (8 November 2007). "Imagi plotting 'Fluorescent Black'". Variety. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  40. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMMwxZX612M. Retrieved 6 August 2024. {{cite AV media}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
[edit]
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