Fans of 70's anime series Gatchaman can look forward to an upcoming CG film version, probably in 2008. Variety reports that Nikkatsu will produce and distribute "Gatchaman," a live-action version of the series "YatterMan," and "L," a spinoff from the hit "Death Note" pic pair, starring Kenichi Matsuyama as the sweets-loving "genius" detective L. Nikkatsu. "Gatchaman" will be directed by Kevin Munroe under the auspices of Hong Kong animation company Imagi International. Takashi Miike will direct "YatterMan," looking at a 2009 release.

Interested fans can see conceptual images from "Gatchaman" up at the Imagi site. (The pics look pretty spiffy.

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