It's been years in the making, written and re-written, but Dragonball, a live-action film adaptation of Akira Toriyama's magna and anime classic, is in finally in production. A young boy named Goku seeks out upon his grandfather's dying request to find the great Master Roshi and gather all seven Dragon Balls (of which he has one) in order to prevent Piccolo from succeeding in his desire to use the Dragon Balls to take over the world.
Ernie Hudson has joined the cast. He likes to keep busy, having appeared in episodes of the popular television shows Las Vegas (2007), Desperate Housewives (2006-2007), Bones (2007), Cold Case (2007), ER (2006), Stargate SG-1 (2006), Crossing Jordan (2006). His largest television role to date was Warden Leo Glynn on Oz (1997-2003). You might not know he also appeared on shows such as Mike Hammer (1986), Gimme a Break! (1986), St. Elsewhere (1994), The A-Team (1983), Webster (1983), Bosom Buddies (1982-1982), The Dukes of Hazard (1982), Taxi (1981), Little House on the Prairie (1981), Diff'rent Strokes (1981), The White Shadow (1979), The Incredible Hulk (1979) and Fantasy Island (1978). That's a lot of cameo appearances. At the movies, you'll remember he got slimed as Winston Zeddmore in Ghostbusters (1984), was simple-minded handy man Solomon in The Hand That Rocks the Cradle (1992), played Sergeant Albrecht alongside Brandon Lee in The Crow (1994) and FBI Assistant Director Harry McDonald alongside Sandra Bullock in Miss Congeniality (2000). Unfortunately, his role in Dragonball hasn't been revealed.
Dragonball stars Justin Chatwin as Goku, Chow Yun-Fat (Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Anna and the King) as Master Roshi, James Marsters (Torchwood, Smallville, Buffy the Vampire Slayer) as Piccolo and is scheduled for release Aug 15, 2008.
