Although IMAGI International animation studios are still on track to release their big screen CGI adaptation of 'Astro Boy' in October, additional projects are now a serious doubt. According to a recent audit, the studio are low on funds and may not have the financial resources to complete further films.

Although the theatrical release didn't seem to score very high on my radar, the sequel to 2007s live-action 'Gegege No Kitaro' adaptation is about to hit DVD. Entitled 'Gegege No Kitaro 2: 1000 Year Old Cursed Song', the film will be released on the 9th January 2009 and includes English subtitles.

A trailer is now online for the upcoming female martial arts actioner, 'Coweb'. Hailing from Hong Kong, the film is directed by Wushu champion turned actor/director, Xiong Xin Xin ('Once Upon A Time In China') and stars Jiang Luxia, a finalist from Jackie Chan's 'The Disciple' reality TV show

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment have announced the US DVD release of 'Ashes Of Time Redux' for the 3rd March 2009. Originally created in 1994, the film has been poorly represented on home video over the years so director Wong Kar Wai opted to revisit the project and create the definitive version.

2008 saw the welcome return of female focused martial arts films with entries emerging from Hong Kong ('Coweb'), Thailand ('Chocolate') and Denmark ('Fighter'). Well now it looks like Japan is going to enter the ring with the new movie, 'High Kick Girl!' which stars 17-year-old Karate champion Rina Takeda.

Despite strong homegrown competition, it was the Dreamworks animated movie 'Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa' that took top spot at the Hong Kong box office over the Christmas period. The film was released across 35 screens and managed to take an impressive $732,000 in 4 days.

MVM have announced the UK DVD release of 'The Slayers - Volume 1' for the 5th January 2009. The disc will include the first six of the comedy-adventure anime show's 26 episodes which were adapted from the 50 manga novels written by Hajime Kanzaka and illustrated by Rui Araizumi.

The Japanese trailer for 'Street Fighter: The Legend Of Chun Li' is now online. Based on the popular video game franchise, the film follows the character of Chun Li (Kristin Kreuk) as she embarks on a quest for justice. The cast also includes Michael Clarke Duncan, Neal McDonough and Robin Shou.

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment have announced the US DVD release of 'The Children Of Huang Shi' for the 20th January 2009. Set in 1930s war-ravaged China, the film tells the story of a young Englishman who led sixty orphaned boys on a journey across the Liu Pan Shan mountains to safety.

In a recent interview with MTV, Keanu Reeves confirmed his involvement in the development of a live-action Hollywood feature film version of Shinichiro Watanabe’s anime series, 'Cowboy Bebop'. Presumably Reeves will play Spike Spiegel, a laid back bounty hunter who is an expert in Jeet Kune Do.