At a panel at Pacific Media Expo in Los Angeles, James Kyson Lee (Ando on Heroes) revealed that he had auditioned for the role of Yamcha in the upcoming Dragon Ball Z, according to the Anime News Network.

The film is based on Akira Toriyama's manga series and the long-running anime series which aired in the U.S. on Cartoon Network as a part of their Toonami line-up. The series tells the tale of Goku, a powerful warrior and martial arts master whose destiny lies in protecting the earth from dangerous aliens who wish to conquer the universe, and seize the mystic Dragonballs from which the series takes its name.

In the manga and animated series, Yamcha begins as a desert bandit who attempts to rob Goku. Later on, Yamcha trains with Goku's master and he becomes an ally in Goku's quest to protect the Earth.

Justin Chatwin (War of the Worlds) has been cast as Goku in the film, with James Marsters (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel) taking the role of the villainous Piccolo.

Dragon Ball Z is being written and directed by James Wong (Final Destination), and produced by Stephen Chow (Kung Fu Hustle).

Dragon Ball Z is scheduled to begin shooting in November of 2007, with an August 15, 2008 release date.