Imagi Animation Studios, currently in production on a computer-animated version of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, has in its sights the beloved anime robot ASTRO BOY, says The Hollywood Reporter.

Imagi has optioned rights from Tezuka Productions Co. Ltd. of Japan to produce a new CG-animated feature-length movie that follows the adventures of a boy-sized robot named Atom.

The story centers on Atom, who with the help of his friends battles enemies attacking the world and faces his own challenges in adapting to the human world.

Animation production will take place at Imagi's Hong Kong digital-animation studio, with a theatrical release scheduled for 2009.