DRAGON BALL THE MOVIE
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Emmy Rossum Talks Dragonball
September 19th, 2008
Emmy Rossum (Bulma) spoke with MTV News in great length about her character in Dragonball, her opinion on the show, and much more (including a spoiler or two). With shooting completed for the live-action adaptation of popular anime/manga series “Dragonball,” actress Emmy Rossum told MTV News that she’s finally washed the blue coloring out of her hair and returned to a life sans catsuit and cartoon weaponry — but with a few new skills in her repertoire.
“In it, [I'm] riding a motorcyle in a leather catsuit, so that’s always fun — and I have five guns that spin all around,” said Rossum of her role as Bulma, the sometimes-partner to the film’s hero, Goku (played by Justin Chatwin). “I had never ridden a motorcycle before. I think I was more concerned about the safety of the people in the crew because sometimes I would lose control and veer randomly off into people.”
As for her character’s fondness for gunplay, Rossum said she’d never fired — or even held — a gun before “Dragonball,” but feels more than confident about pulling off her character’s trigger-happy habits thanks to some training with local Marines.
That calm-under-fire training will probably come in handy for the “Phantom of the Opera” actress, considering the level of scrutiny an adaptation of one of the anime and manga worlds’ most popular properties brings with it. According to Rossum, fans should be pleasantly surprised with the way the property has been translated to a live-action project.
“When I signed on to the project, I was a big fan of the anime and knew [Bulma] as the iconic blue, bobbed character and wanted to stay true to that — but we also wanted to make it realistic,” explained Rossum. “So in keeping with the director and what the studio really wanted, we adapted her look to be a little more realistic and human, and little bit more believable for contemporary day. She’s pretty bad-ass, but still quirky and fun, and kind of ridiculous in the way she is in the anime.”
That doesn’t mean the legions of “Dragonball” faithful aren’t far from her mind, though. Rossum said her first encounter with “Dragonball” was the Saturday morning cartoon, only to realize that “it’s really so much more than that — from the comic to [the cartoon] to the whole franchise and brand, so many people feel such a closeness to these characters.”
“So, it’s a little bit stressful to play a character that so many people hold close to their hearts,” she admitted, “but you just hope you do it justice and they like it.”
Rossum also hinted at a few aspects of the film that should have fans guessing, telling MTV News that she’s “seen some wax molds” for potential action figures, and cautiously acknowledged that a video game based on the film was “a possibility.”
Possibly the most interesting tease she offered up was her anticipation of not only seeing “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” alum James Marsters appear on screen in his role as Lord Piccolo, but also “an incredible monster that I can’t talk about that is very, very tall.”
“It’s actually a very tall man — an 8-foot man,” she added. “It’s based on something else from the… You know, I can’t really say anything else.”
Motorcycle incidents and catsuits aside, Rossum said she’d be up for a return to the role in a “Dragonball” sequel, and vehemently denied rumors that the project was in danger of being cancelled or otherwise shut down.
“Oh, no. I really doubt that’s possible,” said Rossum. “That’s not going to happen.”
Gabriela de la Garza Interview
September 17th, 2008
It was just recently revealed that Mexican actress Gabriela de la Garza would have a small part in the film. We were curious about the role, so we asked her a few questions about it. Thanks to Sean for arranging the interview, and a big thank you to Gabriela for taking the time to answer the questions!
DBtheMovie: What is your characters role / purpose in the movie? How long were you on set?
Gabriela de la Garza: I am an Avatar, and I give information to other characters. I was only one day on set and one day for wardrobe and make-up design which is awesome.
DBtheMovie: Were you familiar with Dragonball before being cast?
A: I knew Dragon Ball Z from the Tv series and of course also knew the impact it has worldwide. Thats why despite of having a small role, I really was excited to do it. Is one of those experiences, full of fantasy, you dont have every day.
DBtheMovie: How was it like working with the director James Wong?
A: Working with James Wong was great. He is a very specific kind of person and he can really transmit the idea he has for every scene. He really cares about the details so I am sure the movie will be beyond extraordinary!
DBtheMovie: Where did you shoot your scenes?
A: I shot my scenes with a green screen at Estudios Churubusco.
DBtheMovie: Did you get to work with any of the cast?
A: I worked alone, I mean with no other member of the cast. I met Justin [Chatwin] while doing our make up and he is a very cool guy, He was exited to be working in Mexico. We had a nice talk.
DBtheMovie: And finally, do you think the fans of the show will be satisfied with this adaptation?
A: Be sure not only the fans, but everybody who sees the movie will be very, very pleased and satisfied with the result. I think the director, the cast, the production, everything is part of a huge success, and I am very proud to be part of it.
Brian Tyler on Dragonball
September 16th, 2008[Found by Craig]
New Shot of Piccolo
September 8th, 2008
Gabriela de la Garza in Dragonball
September 7th, 2008
In an interview with Informador, Mexican actress Gabriela de la Garza revealed she had a role in Dragonball. “My character is virtual! It’s like a computer, to all who arrive to the city and want communicate with her, gives them instructions. The hairstyle, clothing, everything was fantastic. ”
The actress explains further that “always shot my scenes with green screen (green screen that allows overlay landscapes) and James Wong was directing me, is a great filmmaker.
The article goes on to say that the film’s setting will be futuristic.
Almost a year ago, the director James Wong was visiting several countries, including Mexico, looking for the perfect place to shoot the film version of live action, Dragon Ball. And he was convinced by Durango, where are deserts and snow and Santa Fe, in the Federal District, to recreate the atmosphere of the original comic by Akira Toriyama.
In the first place he recreated the fight of Goku and the devil Piccolo, as happens in the animated television series and in the second a city of the future.
Jamie Chung in Variety Japan
September 5th, 2008
Jamie Chung (Chi-Chi) was recently interviewed by Variety Japan, where she talks a little about Dragonball. Thanks to my source in Japan for the translation. Jamie Chung, she appeared at the interview room in very high tension. As soon as she found out I was Japanese, she asked me the question, “Is it true that all Dragon Ball characters names derive from the name of vegetables?” The name of the Saiyan is so, I explained, she said “Well, what does Chi-chi mean in Japanese? Shooting place in Mexico, the crew spoke Spanish, all of them laughed when they called my name Chi-chi, I asked why they were laughing, they said that Chi-chi means boobs in Spanish!” I was surprised, in fact almost the same meaning in Japanese, when I told her it, “No!” She was shocked and put her hands on her head, but she rebound quickly, and showed an impish smile.
She is 25-years-old, a Korean American who was born and raised in San Francisco. The family lived in the Japan Town, She grew up surrounded by Japanese culture. The city where anime events are often held is her playground, Jamie says “Dragon Ball” and “Hello Kitty” is her Idol.
She knows the importance and high-visibility of Dragon Ball in Japan, so she take great care of Japanese fans.
“I know that a lot of Japanese actors wanted to play the movie’s roles, so I gave my best for Japanese fans to be satisfied with it, I’m happy if you enjoy. Director James Wong did diligent research, he read a lot of Japanese manga, I’m sure that this movie will be respecting the original as much as possible. I heard that his son who hadn’t read Dragon Ball yet, read it around this time and was fascinated with it. Japanese people may think the Japanese should be cast more in the movie, but when we thought of the story, Goku is an alien. Justin Chatwin looks astonishingly like Goku, I think he is exactly Goku. He looks like Japanese a little bit (laugh). ”
The most powerful woman to play, her weak scene was……
“Chi-chi is one of the strongest women. To play the action heroine is the dream of every actress. There are a lot of roles for romantic comedy and melodrama, but action heroine not so much. Producer Stephen Chow couldn’t come to the set, but he gave us a lot of the ideas for actions before the shooting, at the same time I watched the Shaolin Soccer and Kung Fu Hustle to research action scenes. Staff of action sequences were very excellent, and I believe it will be amazing scenes mixed with various martial arts like tae kwon do and so on.
Jamie is slender and it looks like she has excellent reflexes. Her most
difficult scene was not action scene, she said.“It was kiss scene, because it was the first time for me……. This didn’t have choreography (unlike the action scenes), I had to think for myself. I was so nervous. It was very difficult, more so than action scenes (laughs).”
When I asked about Eriko Tamura, she showed beaming face.
“Eriko is a very good friend! She is a great, beautiful, cute and polite. She played Mai, a very evil and dark character, though she is very good and cheerful. But she is a method actor (acting based on the experience) so she got into the role even in the break time of shooting and controlled herself if she wanted to have a chat. She tried very hard.
Jamie Chung Interview
IGN: Dragonball has such a huge following. Were you aware of it beforehand?
Chung: I’m so scared… I grew up watching Dragonball. Are you kidding me? I love it! So, to play Chi Chi, the girl that I admired, is kind of crazy. I kind of wanted to be Bulma, but Emmy Rossum is perfect for Bulma. She really fits the character essence and everything.
IGN: What was the shoot like?
Chung: It was awesome. A major motion picture and a TV schedule is so different and the budget’s are so different, and the magic that you can make happen is amazing.
IGN: Were you able to take any of the things you’d learned on Samurai Girl and use them in Dragonball?
Chung: Oh, yeah. And I learned even more on Dragonball and I brought it to Samurai Girl. It was great!
IGN: What was it like working with your costars in Dragonball?
Chung: They’re brilliant actors. Emmy, only being 21, is an absolute pro. She knows what she’s doing, she’s absolutely gorgeous – she’s stunning. And she’s dedicated. I was in awe of her beauty. James Marsters has a huge following, but he’s so down to Earth. He’s a method actor and he’s fantastic. He’s the perfect Piccolo. I know they won’t show it to you, but the makeup they did and the mask took three hours to do, and he looks insane. They were very picky and particular on how he was going to look. Justin Chatwin is a pro. Not only does he fit the character internally — he has Goku’s essence — but he looks like a cartoon character! With his big, blue eyes, he looks like Japanese anime!
IGN: What are your outfits like in Dragonball?
Chung: Lots of boobies. I mean, it fits my character name, you know?
IGN: [Laughs] What was your reaction seeing the costume?
Chung: I’m like, “You want me to look wholesome and you want me to wear pants and not show leg, and yet I have Chi Chis!”
