From August 2004 "Empire" magazine
The cult Japanese comic book character is about to become a live-action film and Genndy Tartakovsky, the genius behind Dexter's Laboratory [and Samurai Jack] will write and direct. The premise is similar to A.I. - a Pinocchio-like robot replaces a dead son - but with kickass superheroes rather than a crybaby with mother issues
Also Anime News Network (source - Variety)
Sony Pictures has announced that Samurai Jack and Dexter's Laboratory creator Genndy Tartakovsky will write and direct their Astro Boy adaptation.
Originally set to be a live action adaptation, production was halted in 2000 due to similarities with Steven Spielberg's A.I.. The film was then re-envisioned as an all-CGI feature, to be directed by Eric Leighton (director of Dinosaur). However, the film is now being produced as a mixture of live-action, animatronics and CGI, with Tartakovsky replacing Leighton and Don Murphy (Angryfilms), Lisa Henson (Jim Henson) and Kristine Belson (Jim Henson) producing
