HONG KONG (September 15, 2009) – In just
a few short weeks, Madame Tussauds Hong
Kong will welcome its very first animated
superhero – Astro Boy – as the attraction
celebrates the cinematic rebirth of one of the
world’s most-loved cartoon characters.
Leading up to the momentous launch of
Astro Boy’s wax figure in late September, a
3D standee display of Astro Boy has been
placed at Madame Tussauds Hong Kong’s
main entrance, for guests to take photos with.
To further immerse guests in some
über-animation action, the trailer for the
highly anticipated CG-animated feature film
Astro Boy plays in the background.
“We are thrilled that Astro Boy will soon join the ranks of super stardom at Madame Tussauds
Hong Kong. The process of bringing Astro Boy to our attraction has been one of our Studio’s
most interesting and challenging projects to date, as his wax figure was created while the
animated feature film was still being produced,” said Bret Pidgeon, general manager of
Madame Tussauds Hong Kong and Shanghai.
“When Astro Boy was first created in the 1960s, he became an instant hit in Hong Kong, a
superhero who has inspired generations of local residents. With such a strong cult following
locally and around the world, we are confident that with the launch of Astro Boy’s wax
likeness, he will again capture the imaginations of fans and our guests.”
The launch of Astro Boy’s wax counterpart will mark the first time that Madame Tussauds
Hong Kong has partnered with a film distributor to bring an animated cartoon character to the
attraction.
Founder and Chief Creative Officer at Imagi Animation Studios, Francis Kao said, “This is an
exhilarating opportunity and partnership for Imagi Animation Studios and Madame Tussauds
Hong Kong. By introducing Astro Boy at one of Hong Kong’s top attractions, fans will have a
rare opportunity to interact with their hero in person, helping to build buzz about the
impending launch of the film. Madame Tussauds Hong Kong is home to a brilliant array of
celebrities and we are sure that the adorable Astro Boy will be welcomed by locals and
tourists alike.”
Created by the “god of manga” Osamu Tezuka, Astro Boy is the story of a classic superhero.
Astro Boy was an original animated television series in the 1960s, and was also re-made in
the 1980s and again in 2003.
Imagi Animation Studios’ new CG-animated feature film Astro Boy is set in futuristic Metro
City where a young robot – Astro Boy – with incredible powers is created by a brilliant
scientist Dr Tenma, in the image of the son he had lost. The young robot is powered with
“blue” energy and programmed with the best of human characteristics and values; yet he is
unable to find acceptance from his father. Astro Boy’s search for his identity takes him on an
adventurous journey, in which he builds the courage to control his own destiny, as well as
learning about human emotions. In the end, Astro Boy accepts his human-robot nature,
returns to save Metro City, and reconciles with his father Dr Tenma.