“Astro Boy” Distribution Shake-up

Imagi Studio (”TMNT”) has decided not to use Warner Bros. and the Weinstein Co. to distribute its anticipated animated feature showcasing “Astro Boy,” the anime creation from the great Osamu Tezuka back in the 1950’s.

Summit Entertainment (”Fly Me to the Moon”) will now distribute the film worldwide, with the exception of Japan, Hong Kong and China, according to Variety’s Far East division.

The David Bowers movie will feature an all-star voice cast that includes Nicolas Cage, Donald Sutherland, Nathan Lane, Bill Nighy and Eugene Levy, and Freddie Highmore in the title role.

Timothy Harris penned the screenplay about a young robot created by a scientist to replace the son he lost. Look for it in theaters sometime in 2009.