Takashi Yamazaki (Returner) will direct. Two male anime characters from the anime are now female. Details at Anime News Network: http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-10-02/live-action-space-batt leship-yamato-film-cast-listed.
BATMAN: Do me a favor and lose the sense of humor.
SUPERMAN: Do us both a favor and buy one.
WTF? Is that Homer and Dr Sane given the "Starbuck" silly treatment?
(sorry, I've seen and loved the original Yamato version, but still think of the characters by their Star Blazers names... burned into my brain from childhood!)
I hate when they do this... it seems so pointless. The Doc has me sad, though... he's even MORE fun in the original Japanese version than in the westernized one! No sake/milk drinking silliness, I guess (going for more of a Irresponsible Captain Tyler style ship's doctor, perhaps? :) ).