"REAL STEEL" HAS ROBOT NAMED ATOM!

[ASTROBUDDY]

Hey has any one seen Hugh Jackman's new movie, "Real Steel"? From what I understand it is based on a short story by Richard Matheson that he had adapted into an episode of the old "Twilight Zone" show. I have yet to see the movie, but the review I read said that a robot fighter in the movie is named "Atom"! Shades of Tezuka! Any one have any more information on this picture?
I

[the 鉄腕アトム fan]

I have seen the advert but I really want to see and I'm watching the advert on tv now .

[Astroboy599]

it looks to be a good movie

[jeffbert]

Real Steel is based upon a TWILIGHT ZONE story called STEEL; I briefly discuss its main plot element in 131, Moon Champion (-- --).

[ASTROBUDDY]

Real Steel is based upon a TWILIGHT ZONE story called STEEL; I briefly discuss its main plot element in 131, Moon Champion (-- --).

Yes, thank you, Jeffbert for reminding me of your earlier thread that shows a similarity between Astro Boy and Richard Matheson's "Steel" which as I mentioned above he had adapted his short story as a "Twilight Zone" episode. This makes me think even more that maybe it's not coincidence that the robot fighter in "Real Steel" is named "Atom". Hmn, now let's see, what other robot fighter do we know with the name "Atom"?
I

[jeffbert]

Perhaps, but this episode was not exported. BTW, I wonder if NBC still holds the contract that restricts exporting the 3rd & 4th seasons?

[Bigdog]

Perhaps, but this episode was not exported. BTW, I wonder if NBC still holds the contract that restricts exporting the 3rd & 4th seasons?

Dunno because they might no longer hold the rights to it. Considering the bankruptcy of Mushi Pro., the original rights holders of the Mighty Atom and Jungle Taitei franchises , the rights were never renewed for either of them to NBC . Even a court battle in the early 80's for the English rights to the Jungle Taitei saga's adaptation Kimba the White Lion fell out with one of the fighters Disney being the loser.

Once Tezuka Pro. was established, the rights probably went back to Osamu's hands himself where the dub of Jungle Taitei was unreachable for some reasons I cannot fathom. This is why Kimba was redubbed. Maybe it was the same for Astro Boy but instead of the whole fight , Osamu-sensel got his series under his belt when he got the rights back to his Mighty Atom.

Astro Boy needs to be redubbed or a recast that have voices similar to the first ones way back then to dub the rest. But it would be more bankable to release the remainder subbed unless demand was really high after the Pluto film if it gets released.

Highly doubt they ripped Astro Boy off as the Twilight Zone episode came out barely after the premiere of the anime in the States and aired on CBS and unlike now , most Americans knew nothing of Tezuka's popular comic book series or the remaining episodesuntil way after the show's run had ended. It's a homage more than anything.

[jeffbert]

I made a note of the date STEEL was released, & as I recall, oops, I omitted that detail;

Original Air Date: 4 October 1963

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0734623/

& August 28, 1965 was the date #131 aired; so, it appears Tezuka or, perhaps one of his employees may have seen STEEL & become inspired. There was a recent book that focused on his borrowing material from others, so it is no surprise. I myself have noted more than a few plot elements that had appeared in earlier films, though cannot say from these alone, that someone borrowed from someone else' film, unless there are several element common.

[ASTROBUDDY]

Ah, yeah! Guys, I never meant to imply it was anything more than paying homage to TetsuWan Atom(u) &/or to Dr. Tezuka!
I

[Bigdog]

Ah, yeah! Guys, I never meant to imply it was anything more than paying homage to TetsuWan Atom(u) &/or to Dr. Tezuka!
I

I know , but the discussion is pretty fun to have . Knowing that the influences have came into a circle is a sight to behold.