Variety reports that Genndy (Samurai Jack, Dexter's Laboratory, Powerpuff Girls) Tartakovsky has signed with Sony Pictures Entertainment to write and direct the long-awaited Astro Boy film, which will be a combination of live-action, animation and animatronics.

The film, based on the adventures of creator Osamu Tezuka's robot boy, was originally slated to be live-action, then was reported to be all-CGI, and now looks like it will be both.  Eric (Dinosaur) Leighton was originally signed to direct the film (see 'Director Signed for Astro Boy Feature'), but that version is long gone.