Project Ultraman

[Ivan]

Official Trailer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_dpORYXFkg

"Chaiyo Productions Co Ltd announced the launch of its first Bt100-million ( USD$2.5 million) Ultraman series on 2 Feb 06, which will hit television screens in more than 12 countries throughout Asia.

The 52-episode television series, called “Project Ultramanâ€, is a joint venture between Chaiyo Productions, which holds about 50 per cent in the project, Apex Toys Co Ltd which holds a 10-per-cent share, and the Chinese toy-maker Ruishi Culture Developing Co Ltd, which has about 40 per cent. Chaiyo expected to realise at least one billion baht (USD$ 25.4 million) from the Ultraman character next year, including gains from merchandise and advertising on TV.

The new series will promote awareness of Chaiyo Productions’ new Ultraman superheroes – Ultraman Elite, Ultraman Millennium, and Dark Ultraman. Hong Kong actor Ekin Cheng is cast as Ultraman Elite, while Mathew Dean is cast as Ultraman Millennium, and Ray McDonald as Dark Ultraman.

The new Ultraman series will first be seen on CCTV’s entertainment channel in China in December, followed by Thailand in December or January, and then Hong Kong and Taiwan, said Perasit Saengduenchai, chief executive officer and director of Chaiyo Productions. He said the company had also been approached by local television stations in Brazil and Argentina, which would like to screen the series. About 40% of the productions had been completed. 80% of on-location photography was filmed in China and the Gobi Desert in Mongolia.

Chaiyo Productions Co claims ownership of the Ultraman copyright worldwide television broadcast and merchandising rights to Ultraman superheroes, except in Japan. Ultraman rights is still disputed in Thailand, the case has gone to the International Trade and Intellectual Property Court. The Tokyo Supreme Court ruled early 2005 that Sompote Sangduenchai, the founder of Chaiyo Productions, owned the rights to Ultraman characters everywhere except Japan, ending a dispute with Tsuburaya Productions."

(Source: The Nation, Bangkok Post)

No idea what the story is about, but the trailer looks awesome. However, seems like copyright issue involved could turn into another Big West vs HG disaster. Don't these people learn from the past?