Staff: Live-Action Gantz to Open in U.S. in January
posted on 2010-11-29 06:43 EST

The staff of the two-part live-action film adaptation of Hiroya Oku's science-fiction action manga Gantz announced that the first film will have advance screenings in the United States starting on January 20, 2011. According to the staff at the film's Japanese premiere on Monday, it will eventually run in 300 theaters in the United States. The first film will open in Japan on January 29, and the second film will open on April 23. Source: Cinema Today, Oricon via Tadashi Sudo

Gantz U.S. Showings to Add Live Interview with 2 Stars
posted on 2010-11-29 14:08 EST

Update: January showings of action-manga-based films to be English over-dubbed

The Washington Post newspaper confirms that Viz Pictures' New People unit and the digital theater distributor NCM Fathom will hold the world premiere of the first of two live-action Gantz films on Thursday, January 20 throughout the United States. "An exclusive live interview" with the film's stars Kazunari Ninomiya and Ken'ichi Matsuyama will immediately follow the English over-dubbed screenings. The one-night event will run at 8:00 p.m. EST, 7:00 p.m. CST, 6:00 p.m. MST, and 8:30 p.m. PST (tape delayed). (NCM's website currently lists a January 29 date.)

Ninomiya (Tekkonkinkreet, Letters from Iwo Jima) of the Arashi musical group and award-winning actor Matsuyama (Death Note, Detroit Metal City, NANA, The Legend of Kamui) star as two friends who are resurrected after a deadly subway accident and forced to take on violent, mysterious missions. Yuriko Yoshitaka (Kaiji), Natsuna, and Takayuki Yamada (Train Man, Crows Zero, H2: Kimi to Ita Hibi) also star in this film from director Shinsuke Sato (The Princess Blade, Suna-dokei, Oblivion Island: Haruka and the Magic Mirror).

The production staff had announced at the first film's Japanese premiere on Monday that the film will run in 300 theaters in the United States. According to Cinema Today, 19 companies from the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and other Western countries offered to distribute the two films. The first film will open in Japan on January 29, and the second film will open on April 23.

Oku launched the "Final Phase" of the original Gantz manga in Shueisha's Weekly Young Jump magazine last year. Gantz has been running in the magazine since July of 2000, and the first 27 volumes have sold over 10 million copies. Dark Horse Comics will publish the 14th volume of the original manga in North America next month. ADV Films released Gonzo's television anime adaptation of the manga.

NCM Fathom specializes in digital screenings in theaters throughout the United States. Its use of digital cinema technology allows it to hold one-night events and live simulcasts nationwide.

GANTZ
01/20/2011

NEW PEOPLE and NCM Fathom are bringing the world premiere of GANTZ to movie theaters nationwide for a one night live event on Thursday, January 20th at 8:00 pm ET/ 7:00 pm CT/ 6:00 pm MT/ 8:30 pm PT (tape delayed).This live-action feature, based upon the popular Japanese manga and anime series, is the ultimate survival game. It will be English over-dubbed exclusively for this big screen event.

Following the feature, the two stars, Kazunari Ninomiya and Kenichi Matsuyama will participate in an exclusive live interview that can only be seen at this event.

Sign up here for an email reminder when tickets go on sale to the general public on Friday, December 10th, 2010. Click here for a list of participating theaters.

2 SPECIAL GANTZ DRAWINGS
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Enter for chance to be one of 100 lucky winners nationwide to win tickets to see GANTZ!!

Hurry, the giveaway end on 1/11 so enter HERE now!
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Enter drawing for ticket purchase opportunity to the actors appearance in Hollywood, CA!!

See the actors, watch the movie, and get a special GANTZ t-shirt that can only be found at this event!

Mann’s Chinese 6, located in the Hollywood & Highland Mall in the heart of Hollywood, CA, will host the film’s theatrical premiere in a gala screening beginning at 5:00pm on January 20th.

Audiences are invited to join Otaku USA Editor-in-Chief Patrick Macias immediately following the screening as he leads an insightful discussion session on GANTZ and conducts in-person interviews with several cast members. Seating is limited so the opportunity to buy tickets will be awarded through a drawing (tickets are $15). Enter HERE!