IMAGI Studios has announced that Freddie Highmore (The Spiderwick Chronicles, August Rush) will star in the big-screen adaptation of Osamu Tezuka’s Astro Boy.

The CGI update of the classic manga and anime, about a young robot created by a scientist to replace the son he lost, is set for a 2009 release. Last month David Bowers replaced Colin Brady as director of the $50 million production.

Sixteen-year-old Highmore also starred in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Finding Neverland.

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