Hollywood production gathers int'l talents

China invested five-hundred-million yuan into the animated Hollywood 3-D blockbuster "Astro Boy." The staggering sum now sets the record for the most money a Chinese film company ever spent to back an international production.

The movie "Astro Boy" is a joint production combining talents from China, Japan, and the United States. It largely follows the original plot of the TV series.

At the opening ceremony, Chinese actor Wang Gang, Zhang Tielin, Pan Yueming, and pop duo Yuquan, who dubbed the Chinese version, were present to promote the film. The cast of stellar actors gave two thumbs-up for the film and its voice dubbing.

In the North American market, Oscar winner Nicolas Cage dubbed Dr. Tenma, and Freddie Highmore performed the voice of Astro.

For the Hong Kong version, Dr. Tenma was dubbed by singer Aaron Kwok.

The story of good versus evil features a Hollywood cast. Director David Bowers of "Flushed Away", who co-wrote the script with Timothy Hyde Harris of "Kindergarten Cop" and "Space Jam", gets some help from a lively voice cast that includes Freddie Highmore, Kristen Bell, Bill Nighy, and Nathan Lane. The Art Deco look of the film's architecture also has a classic appeal.