Hypergalactic Animated Film Has Sonic the Hedgehog Designer Naoto Oshima Teaming with Toei Animation
Toei Animation announced a new project titled Hypergalactic , which will be a CG-animated feature film and, per Toei's description, its "biggest and most ambitious CGI film to date." Original Sonic the Hedgehog character designer Naoto Oshima is on board to co-create the story and characters for the film alongside Joseph Chou. David N. Weiss—known for features like Shrek 2 and the big screen CG takes on The Smurfs —is directing Hypergalactic , which has a cast featuring the likes of Adam Devine, Elsie Fisher, J.K. Simmons and Sam Richardson. Related: Japan Box Office: Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba -To the Hashira Training- Makes No. 1 Debut Set in the near future, Hypergalactic tells the tale of a teenager girl (Fisher) and her baby brother after they liberate Ohkan (Devine), Earth's forgotten protector. Together, the three embark upon a journey in hopes that he can help reunite them with their missing parents.
- 2/6/2024
- by Joseph Luster
- Crunchyroll
Adam Devine, J.K. Simmons, Sam Richardson and Elsie Fisher will lend their voices to “Hypergalactic,” the CG animated family feature co-created by Naoto Oshima, best known for designing the original “Sonic the Hedgehog” for Sega, and Joseph Chou.
The English-language film, directed by David N. Weiss and now in post-production, marks the most ambition CG feature to date from Toei Animation. The Japanese studio was behind recent anime smash hits “The First Slam Dunk,” which grossed $279 million, and “One Piece Film: Red,” which has so far earned $246.6 million.
Charades are set to launch worldwide sales on “Hypergalatic” at Berlin’s European Film Market, alongside Iwashina Corporation founder Kevin Iwashina, who is also an advisor to Toei.
“Hypergalactic” follows an adventurous teenage girl (Fisher) and her baby brother in the not-so-distant future, after they liberate the forgotten protector of Earth, Ohkan (Devine), in the hopes that he can help reunite them with their missing parents.
The English-language film, directed by David N. Weiss and now in post-production, marks the most ambition CG feature to date from Toei Animation. The Japanese studio was behind recent anime smash hits “The First Slam Dunk,” which grossed $279 million, and “One Piece Film: Red,” which has so far earned $246.6 million.
Charades are set to launch worldwide sales on “Hypergalatic” at Berlin’s European Film Market, alongside Iwashina Corporation founder Kevin Iwashina, who is also an advisor to Toei.
“Hypergalactic” follows an adventurous teenage girl (Fisher) and her baby brother in the not-so-distant future, after they liberate the forgotten protector of Earth, Ohkan (Devine), in the hopes that he can help reunite them with their missing parents.
- 2/6/2024
- by Alex Ritman
- Variety Film + TV
Leading Japanese studio Toei has unveiled Hypergalactic, an animated family feature from the creator of Sonic the Hedgehog, which sales agent Charades will launch at the upcoming EFM.
Directed by David N. Weiss, the voice cast of the English-language film includes Adam Devine, J.K. Simmons, Sam Richardson and Eighth Grade star Elsie Fisher.
Paris-based Charades has taken world sales on the title, which is in post-production, and will introduce the project to buyers in Berlin next week alongside Iwashina Corporation founder Kevin Iwashina, who is also an advisor to Toei Animation.
The story follows an adventurous teenage girl, voiced by Fisher,...
Directed by David N. Weiss, the voice cast of the English-language film includes Adam Devine, J.K. Simmons, Sam Richardson and Eighth Grade star Elsie Fisher.
Paris-based Charades has taken world sales on the title, which is in post-production, and will introduce the project to buyers in Berlin next week alongside Iwashina Corporation founder Kevin Iwashina, who is also an advisor to Toei Animation.
The story follows an adventurous teenage girl, voiced by Fisher,...
- 2/6/2024
- ScreenDaily
Leading Japanese animation studio Toei Animation has announced family feature Hypergalactic, describing the production as its biggest and most ambitious CGI film to date.
The story and characters are co-created by top Japanese artist Naoto Oshima, who designed the hit global franchise Sonic the Hedgehog for Sega, and Joseph Chou, whose credits include Blade Runner 2022: Black Out, Ghost in the Shell and Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim.
The English-language animated family feature is directed by David N. Weiss, whose credits include Shrek 2, The Smurfs and Smurfs 2.
The movie will feature the voice talents of Adam Devine, Elsie Fisher, J.K. Simmons and Sam Richardson.
The family film follows an adventurous teenage girl (Fisher) and her baby brother in the not-so-distant future, after they liberate the forgotten protector of Earth,...
The story and characters are co-created by top Japanese artist Naoto Oshima, who designed the hit global franchise Sonic the Hedgehog for Sega, and Joseph Chou, whose credits include Blade Runner 2022: Black Out, Ghost in the Shell and Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim.
The English-language animated family feature is directed by David N. Weiss, whose credits include Shrek 2, The Smurfs and Smurfs 2.
The movie will feature the voice talents of Adam Devine, Elsie Fisher, J.K. Simmons and Sam Richardson.
The family film follows an adventurous teenage girl (Fisher) and her baby brother in the not-so-distant future, after they liberate the forgotten protector of Earth,...
- 2/6/2024
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
Japanese anime giant Toei Animation (One Piece Film: Red, The First Slam Dunk) is teaming with Sonic the Hedgehog game designer Naoto Oshima, Shrek 2 and The Smurfs writer David N. Weiss and acclaimed animation producer Joseph Chou (Ghost in the Shell, Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim) on the English-language animated feature Hypergalactic.
Weiss will direct Hypergalatic with the story and characters co-created by Oshima and Chou. Toei is calling the film its biggest CGI project to date. The Japanese studio is flying high on the success of animated sports drama The First Slam Dunk, which has earned more than $279 million worldwide, and One Piece Film: Red, which has grossed more than $246 million globally.
Adam Devine, Elsie Fisher, J.K. Simmons and Sam Richardson have joined the voice cast of the English-language production. Charades is representing worldwide rights and will launch sales at the European Film Market (EFM...
Weiss will direct Hypergalatic with the story and characters co-created by Oshima and Chou. Toei is calling the film its biggest CGI project to date. The Japanese studio is flying high on the success of animated sports drama The First Slam Dunk, which has earned more than $279 million worldwide, and One Piece Film: Red, which has grossed more than $246 million globally.
Adam Devine, Elsie Fisher, J.K. Simmons and Sam Richardson have joined the voice cast of the English-language production. Charades is representing worldwide rights and will launch sales at the European Film Market (EFM...
- 2/6/2024
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Sony has added one more release to the summer theatrical calendar, Stage 6 Films’ Knights of the Zodiac on May 12.
Produced by Toei Animation and based on the international anime sensation, Knights of the Zodiac brings the Saint Seiya saga to the big screen in live-action for the first time. Seiya (Mackenyu), a headstrong street teen, spends his time fighting for cash while he searches for his abducted sister. When one of his fights unwittingly taps into mystical powers he never knew he had, Seiya finds himself thrust into a world of warring saints, ancient magical training and a reincarnated goddess who needs his protection. If he’s to survive, he will need to embrace his destiny and sacrifice everything to take his rightful place among the Knights of the Zodiac.
Pic is directed by Tomek Baginski off a script by Josh Campbell & Matt Stuecken and Kiel Murray. The feature is...
Produced by Toei Animation and based on the international anime sensation, Knights of the Zodiac brings the Saint Seiya saga to the big screen in live-action for the first time. Seiya (Mackenyu), a headstrong street teen, spends his time fighting for cash while he searches for his abducted sister. When one of his fights unwittingly taps into mystical powers he never knew he had, Seiya finds himself thrust into a world of warring saints, ancient magical training and a reincarnated goddess who needs his protection. If he’s to survive, he will need to embrace his destiny and sacrifice everything to take his rightful place among the Knights of the Zodiac.
Pic is directed by Tomek Baginski off a script by Josh Campbell & Matt Stuecken and Kiel Murray. The feature is...
- 3/15/2023
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Thanks, Sonic the Hedgehog! Ever since Sega’s Blue Blur made boatloads of cash at the box office, studios have been mining video game properties for silver screen adaptations. Word of a live-action Pac-Man movie hit the internet earlier this week, but I wanted to ensure we had this momentous news covered. Don’t threaten me with a good time, Wayfarer Studios and Bandai Namco Entertainment!
Pac-Man was released by the Japanese video game company Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc. in 1980, one year before I was born! Pac-Man is simple in execution and revolves around a circular yellow protagonist with a voracious appetite. While navigating a series of intricate mazes, Pac-Man gobbles pellets of varying power and the occasional ghost. Aside from appearing in many video game titles, Pac-Man starred in a Saturday Morning cartoon series from Hanna-Barbera called Pac-Man, which aired on ABC from 1982-1983. He also starred in the...
Pac-Man was released by the Japanese video game company Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc. in 1980, one year before I was born! Pac-Man is simple in execution and revolves around a circular yellow protagonist with a voracious appetite. While navigating a series of intricate mazes, Pac-Man gobbles pellets of varying power and the occasional ghost. Aside from appearing in many video game titles, Pac-Man starred in a Saturday Morning cartoon series from Hanna-Barbera called Pac-Man, which aired on ABC from 1982-1983. He also starred in the...
- 8/12/2022
- by Steve Seigh
- JoBlo.com
Grab your power pellets. A live-action movie based on the Pac-Man character and arcade game is in the works with actor Justin Baldoni’s Wayfarer Studios partnering with Bandai Namco Entertainment to produce the film.
While any plot details are currently under wraps, the film will be based on an original idea by Chuck Williams, an associate producer on “Sonic the Hedgehog.” Baldoni, Manu Gargi and Andrew Calof will produce on behalf of Wayfarer Studios, and Williams and Tim Kwok will produce on behalf of Lightbeam.
Also Read:
‘Mortal Kombat’ Director Simon McQuoid to Return for Sequel
“Pac-Man” is the classic arcade video game originally released in 1980 by Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc. (previously Namco) in which players take control of a yellow, puck-shaped hero who navigates his way through a series of mazes in a race to chomp miniature pellets, all while being chased by four colorful ghosts.
The game...
While any plot details are currently under wraps, the film will be based on an original idea by Chuck Williams, an associate producer on “Sonic the Hedgehog.” Baldoni, Manu Gargi and Andrew Calof will produce on behalf of Wayfarer Studios, and Williams and Tim Kwok will produce on behalf of Lightbeam.
Also Read:
‘Mortal Kombat’ Director Simon McQuoid to Return for Sequel
“Pac-Man” is the classic arcade video game originally released in 1980 by Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc. (previously Namco) in which players take control of a yellow, puck-shaped hero who navigates his way through a series of mazes in a race to chomp miniature pellets, all while being chased by four colorful ghosts.
The game...
- 8/8/2022
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
“Jane the Virgin” actor Justin Baldoni is hoping to bring the exploits of Pac-Man to a movie theater near you.
Baldoni’s production company Wayfarer Studios is backing a live-action film based on the popular arcade game, along with Bandai Namco Entertainment, the Japanese video game publisher that created Pac-Man, as well as Ace Combat, Galaga and Tekken.
The ubiquitous video game, in which a starving Pac-Man chomps his way through a maze while attempting to evade deadly ghosts, has previously served as inspiration for television, with a 1980s animated TV series of the same name that ran on ABC and a 2013 cartoon show “Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures” that played on Disney Xd in the United States.
But until now, Pac-Man has only been a highlighter-yellow face on a pixilated screen. Details for the live-action movie version, including but not limited to the plot and the character’s physical iteration,...
Baldoni’s production company Wayfarer Studios is backing a live-action film based on the popular arcade game, along with Bandai Namco Entertainment, the Japanese video game publisher that created Pac-Man, as well as Ace Combat, Galaga and Tekken.
The ubiquitous video game, in which a starving Pac-Man chomps his way through a maze while attempting to evade deadly ghosts, has previously served as inspiration for television, with a 1980s animated TV series of the same name that ran on ABC and a 2013 cartoon show “Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures” that played on Disney Xd in the United States.
But until now, Pac-Man has only been a highlighter-yellow face on a pixilated screen. Details for the live-action movie version, including but not limited to the plot and the character’s physical iteration,...
- 8/8/2022
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
Wayfarer Studios and Bandai Namco Entertainment have partnered to develop a live-action Pac-Man film based on the classic arcade game franchise, Deadline can confirm.
Released by the Japanese video game company Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc. (formerly Namco) back in 1980, Pac-Man has a player controlling the yellow orb of the same name, as he winds through a maze in an effort to chomp up dots, while being chased around by four differently colored ghosts. The character has previously spurred the creation of two television series—the Saturday morning cartoon Pac-Man from Hanna-Barbera, which aired on ABC from 1982-1983, and the CG animated series Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures, which debuted on Disney Xd in 2013.
The new Pac-Man pic stems from an original concept from Lightbeam Entertainment’s Chuck Williams (Sonic the Hedgehog), who will produce with Tim Kwok for Lightbeam, along with Justin Baldoni, Manu Gargi and Andrew Calof on behalf of Wayfarer Studios.
Released by the Japanese video game company Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc. (formerly Namco) back in 1980, Pac-Man has a player controlling the yellow orb of the same name, as he winds through a maze in an effort to chomp up dots, while being chased around by four differently colored ghosts. The character has previously spurred the creation of two television series—the Saturday morning cartoon Pac-Man from Hanna-Barbera, which aired on ABC from 1982-1983, and the CG animated series Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures, which debuted on Disney Xd in 2013.
The new Pac-Man pic stems from an original concept from Lightbeam Entertainment’s Chuck Williams (Sonic the Hedgehog), who will produce with Tim Kwok for Lightbeam, along with Justin Baldoni, Manu Gargi and Andrew Calof on behalf of Wayfarer Studios.
- 8/8/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
A live-action film is in development based on the classic arcade game with an endless appetite, Pac-man.
The project hails from Bandai Namco Entertainment — the company behind Pac-man, as well as games like Galaga and Tekken — and Wayfarer Studios, the production company founded by Justin Baldoni and Steve Sarowitz.
First introduced in the U.S. in 1980 — and originally called Puck Man in Japan — Pac-man became a coin-operated staple. The game is set in mazes where Pac-Man has to eat pellets while being pursued by colorful ghosts as the mazes get progressively more difficult.
The game begat merchandise, several sequel games like Ms. Pac-man, as well as two television series, including a Hanna–Barbera produced ABC series and a Disney Xd take.
The project will be based on an original idea from Chuck Williams (Sonic the Hedgehog) of Lightbeam Entertainment. Baldoni, Manu Gargi and...
A live-action film is in development based on the classic arcade game with an endless appetite, Pac-man.
The project hails from Bandai Namco Entertainment — the company behind Pac-man, as well as games like Galaga and Tekken — and Wayfarer Studios, the production company founded by Justin Baldoni and Steve Sarowitz.
First introduced in the U.S. in 1980 — and originally called Puck Man in Japan — Pac-man became a coin-operated staple. The game is set in mazes where Pac-Man has to eat pellets while being pursued by colorful ghosts as the mazes get progressively more difficult.
The game begat merchandise, several sequel games like Ms. Pac-man, as well as two television series, including a Hanna–Barbera produced ABC series and a Disney Xd take.
The project will be based on an original idea from Chuck Williams (Sonic the Hedgehog) of Lightbeam Entertainment. Baldoni, Manu Gargi and...
- 8/8/2022
- by Mia Galuppo
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Production wraps this week in Hungary on “Blade of the 47 Ronin,” a sequel to Universal’s 2013 Japanese-themed action classic “47 Ronin.” The new movie represents a substantial revamp that emphasizes Asian fantasy heroes and female characters and addresses some of the cultural criticisms of the previous Keanu Reeves-starring picture.
The action is moved forward by some 300 years to present-day Budapest, which is intended as a metaphor for East-West confluence, and where a meeting of the five Samurai clans is taking place. In addition to the male clan leaders, the meeting is also attended by three Onna Bugeisha (literally ‘Women Warriors’), though their presence is initially resented.
Production was handled by Universal Studios through its 1440 Productions unit for Netflix. The streamer is expected to release it sometime in 2022, though a specific date is still unknown.
The existence of female Samurai who fought alongside their male colleagues in feudal Japan is well documented.
The action is moved forward by some 300 years to present-day Budapest, which is intended as a metaphor for East-West confluence, and where a meeting of the five Samurai clans is taking place. In addition to the male clan leaders, the meeting is also attended by three Onna Bugeisha (literally ‘Women Warriors’), though their presence is initially resented.
Production was handled by Universal Studios through its 1440 Productions unit for Netflix. The streamer is expected to release it sometime in 2022, though a specific date is still unknown.
The existence of female Samurai who fought alongside their male colleagues in feudal Japan is well documented.
- 12/17/2021
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
The Naff genre film project market that is attached to the BiFan fantasy festival in South Korea will expand to 40 projects at its upcoming July edition.
The 25th edition of the festival will overlap with Cannes, running July 8-18, 2021, with both online and offline screenings, as well as in person audience events, while Naff (July 8-13) will be held as a virtual event for the second successive year.
Naff organizers said that they had increased the number of selections from 30 last year to 40 this time, hailing from 29 countries and territories. These are spread across multiple different sections including the main It Project cluster, project Spotlight Korea, Works in Progress and those with partner events Nordic Genre Invasion, Blood Window and Fantastic 7. For the first time, the market has been opened to series, reflecting the impact of streaming services on the Asian production industry.
The lineup contains many familiar names from...
The 25th edition of the festival will overlap with Cannes, running July 8-18, 2021, with both online and offline screenings, as well as in person audience events, while Naff (July 8-13) will be held as a virtual event for the second successive year.
Naff organizers said that they had increased the number of selections from 30 last year to 40 this time, hailing from 29 countries and territories. These are spread across multiple different sections including the main It Project cluster, project Spotlight Korea, Works in Progress and those with partner events Nordic Genre Invasion, Blood Window and Fantastic 7. For the first time, the market has been opened to series, reflecting the impact of streaming services on the Asian production industry.
The lineup contains many familiar names from...
- 5/24/2021
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Sydney-based sales agent Odin’s Eye has picked up international rights to Harvey Keitel-starring action feature “Live Fast, Die Laughing.” The film is directed by Timothy Linh Bui and produced by Los Angeles-based Convergence Entertainment.
Scripted by Tim Tori, the film is the story of a broke taxi driver in Vietnam who thinks it is his lucky day when a mysterious American woman offers him a fortune to drive her 1,000 miles from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi. They set off, pursued by mobsters and an assassin.
Set to shoot in November, the film will star Francesca Eastwood (“True Crime”) alongside Keitel. Action direction is to be supplied by fight choreographer Vincent Wang.
“Live Fast” is produced by Douglas W. Miller and Tim Kwok through Convergence Entertainment.
“Tim Bui is an authentic and original voice, with a unique story that’s rarely seen in modern-day Vietnam,” Kwok said. “The...
Scripted by Tim Tori, the film is the story of a broke taxi driver in Vietnam who thinks it is his lucky day when a mysterious American woman offers him a fortune to drive her 1,000 miles from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi. They set off, pursued by mobsters and an assassin.
Set to shoot in November, the film will star Francesca Eastwood (“True Crime”) alongside Keitel. Action direction is to be supplied by fight choreographer Vincent Wang.
“Live Fast” is produced by Douglas W. Miller and Tim Kwok through Convergence Entertainment.
“Tim Bui is an authentic and original voice, with a unique story that’s rarely seen in modern-day Vietnam,” Kwok said. “The...
- 5/18/2019
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Gfm also investing in big-budget projects.
Gfm Films will launch sales at the American Film Market on two news titles - $30m budget animated film The Monkey Prince and $32m live action superhero film Knights Of The Zodiac: Saint Seiya.
Through its sister company Gfm Animation, Gfm is also investing in Monkey Prince, which is in production with Toei Animation Co, Sammy Corporation, Marza Animation Planet and UK financier White & Co.
John A. Davis (Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius) is directing a script written by Oscar nominated writers J. David Stem and David N. Weiss (Shrek 2).
The film features original...
Gfm Films will launch sales at the American Film Market on two news titles - $30m budget animated film The Monkey Prince and $32m live action superhero film Knights Of The Zodiac: Saint Seiya.
Through its sister company Gfm Animation, Gfm is also investing in Monkey Prince, which is in production with Toei Animation Co, Sammy Corporation, Marza Animation Planet and UK financier White & Co.
John A. Davis (Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius) is directing a script written by Oscar nominated writers J. David Stem and David N. Weiss (Shrek 2).
The film features original...
- 10/26/2018
- by Tom Grater
- ScreenDaily
Abdul Zainidi’s Worm And The Widow and Sokyou Chea’s Soul Searching take top award.
The Bucheon Award at this year’s Network of Asian Fantastic Films (Naff) in South Korea went to two projects from countries not so often touted in cinema – Abdul Zainidi’s Worm And The Widow from Brunei and Sokyou Chea’s Soul Searching from Cambodia.
The 22nd Bucheon International Film Festival (Bifan)’s industry programme Naff runs until today (July 18) with the awards presented last night. According to organisers, the selection of 26 projects saw a total of 495 meetings with 67 companies and institutions over three days.
The Bucheon Award at this year’s Network of Asian Fantastic Films (Naff) in South Korea went to two projects from countries not so often touted in cinema – Abdul Zainidi’s Worm And The Widow from Brunei and Sokyou Chea’s Soul Searching from Cambodia.
The 22nd Bucheon International Film Festival (Bifan)’s industry programme Naff runs until today (July 18) with the awards presented last night. According to organisers, the selection of 26 projects saw a total of 495 meetings with 67 companies and institutions over three days.
- 7/18/2018
- by Jean Noh
- ScreenDaily
Abdul Zainidi’s Worm And The Widow and Sokyou Chea’s Soul Searching take top two awards.
The Bucheon Awards at this year’s Network of Asian Fantastic Films (Naff) in South Korea went to two projects from countries not so often touted in cinema – Abdul Zainidi’s Worm And The Widow from Brunei and Sokyou Chea’s Soul Searching from Cambodia.
The 22nd Bucheon International Film Festival (Bifan)’s industry programme Naff runs until today (July 18) with the awards presented last night. According to organisers, the selection of 26 projects saw a total of 495 meetings with 67 companies and institutions over three days.
The Bucheon Awards at this year’s Network of Asian Fantastic Films (Naff) in South Korea went to two projects from countries not so often touted in cinema – Abdul Zainidi’s Worm And The Widow from Brunei and Sokyou Chea’s Soul Searching from Cambodia.
The 22nd Bucheon International Film Festival (Bifan)’s industry programme Naff runs until today (July 18) with the awards presented last night. According to organisers, the selection of 26 projects saw a total of 495 meetings with 67 companies and institutions over three days.
- 7/18/2018
- by Jean Noh
- ScreenDaily
The Naff genre film project market closed its latest edition on Tuesday with a top prize, worth $13,300 (Krw 15 million) for Abdul Zainidi’s “Worm and the Widow” from Brunei, and Sokyou Chea’s “Soul Searching” from Cambodia.
The three-day Naff market is part of the B.I.G. industry sidebar to the Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival (BiFan), held in Bucheon, on the outskirts of Seoul. Organizers brokered 495 one-to-one meetings between the 26 projects and some 67 distribution, finance and production companies.
Visahl Furia’s “Bogie No. S4,” a ghostly story set on a train, took the B.I.G Naff Award with a cash prize of $8,900, as well as the new Blood Window Award. The B.I.G Naff Korean Award was presented to “Remember, Spring” by Jeon In-hwan with a cash prize of $5,300 (Krw 6 million).
Prizewinners were selected by a jury of veteran producers including Lee Dong-ha, producer of 2016 hit “Train to Busan,...
The three-day Naff market is part of the B.I.G. industry sidebar to the Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival (BiFan), held in Bucheon, on the outskirts of Seoul. Organizers brokered 495 one-to-one meetings between the 26 projects and some 67 distribution, finance and production companies.
Visahl Furia’s “Bogie No. S4,” a ghostly story set on a train, took the B.I.G Naff Award with a cash prize of $8,900, as well as the new Blood Window Award. The B.I.G Naff Korean Award was presented to “Remember, Spring” by Jeon In-hwan with a cash prize of $5,300 (Krw 6 million).
Prizewinners were selected by a jury of veteran producers including Lee Dong-ha, producer of 2016 hit “Train to Busan,...
- 7/18/2018
- by Sonia Kil
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Popular Japanese manga is getting the movie treatment.
Japan’s Toei Animation is teaming with Hong Kong-based A Really Good Film Company (Argf) to produce an English-language, live-action film version of hot Toei anime property Saint Seiya: Knights Of The Zodiac.
Based on Masami Kurumada’s best-selling manga, Saint Seiya is one of the world’s biggest animated franchises, with total revenue of more than $1.1bn since 1986. Toei Animation has produced over 250 TV episodes and six features, which were released in over 80 countries. The original manga by Masami Kurumada has sold over 35 million copies.
Argf has joined Toei Animation as its development and China co-production partner for the live-action version and will be handling Greater China distribution.
Yoshi Ikezawa and Joseph Chou of Toei Animation will serve as producers, along with Argf founder Jeffrey Chan, who is also COO of Bona Film Group. Tim Kwok of Convergence Entertainment, Miguel Faura and Kozo Morishita of Toei Animation are executive...
Japan’s Toei Animation is teaming with Hong Kong-based A Really Good Film Company (Argf) to produce an English-language, live-action film version of hot Toei anime property Saint Seiya: Knights Of The Zodiac.
Based on Masami Kurumada’s best-selling manga, Saint Seiya is one of the world’s biggest animated franchises, with total revenue of more than $1.1bn since 1986. Toei Animation has produced over 250 TV episodes and six features, which were released in over 80 countries. The original manga by Masami Kurumada has sold over 35 million copies.
Argf has joined Toei Animation as its development and China co-production partner for the live-action version and will be handling Greater China distribution.
Yoshi Ikezawa and Joseph Chou of Toei Animation will serve as producers, along with Argf founder Jeffrey Chan, who is also COO of Bona Film Group. Tim Kwok of Convergence Entertainment, Miguel Faura and Kozo Morishita of Toei Animation are executive...
- 5/18/2017
- by lizshackleton@gmail.com (Liz Shackleton)
- ScreenDaily
The film will follow the early years of the martial arts superstar.
Shekhar Kapur is set to direct a film about the early years of late martial arts star Bruce Lee, Little Dragon, to be produced by the star’s daughter Shannon Lee with backing from Chinese investors.
Shannon Lee, who runs Bruce Lee Entertainment, has co-scripted the project with Kapur and will produce with Tim Kwok of Convergence Entertainment.
Set in 1950s Hong Kong, the film follows a young Bruce Lee as he comes to terms with his family’s disappointment, young love, betrayal and racism in the early years of his international career.
A worldwide casting search to find the actor to play the teenaged Bruce Lee was launched last week by Us casting director Mary Vernieu and several casting associates around the globe.
The Us-Hong Kong-China co-production is financed by Dadi Media Group, Beijing Golden World Pictures, Shanghai Longzhilin...
Shekhar Kapur is set to direct a film about the early years of late martial arts star Bruce Lee, Little Dragon, to be produced by the star’s daughter Shannon Lee with backing from Chinese investors.
Shannon Lee, who runs Bruce Lee Entertainment, has co-scripted the project with Kapur and will produce with Tim Kwok of Convergence Entertainment.
Set in 1950s Hong Kong, the film follows a young Bruce Lee as he comes to terms with his family’s disappointment, young love, betrayal and racism in the early years of his international career.
A worldwide casting search to find the actor to play the teenaged Bruce Lee was launched last week by Us casting director Mary Vernieu and several casting associates around the globe.
The Us-Hong Kong-China co-production is financed by Dadi Media Group, Beijing Golden World Pictures, Shanghai Longzhilin...
- 5/8/2017
- by lizshackleton@gmail.com (Liz Shackleton)
- ScreenDaily
The film will follow the early years of the martial arts superstar.
Shekhar Kapur is set to direct a film about the early years of late martial arts star Bruce Lee, Little Dragon, to be produced by the star’s daughter Shannon Lee with backing from Chinese investors.
Shannon Lee, who runs Bruce Lee Entertainment, has co-scripted the project with Kapur and will produce with Tim Kwok of Convergence Entertainment.
Set in 1950s Hong Kong, the film follows a young Bruce Lee as he comes to terms with his family’s disappointment, young love, betrayal and racism in the early years of his international career.
A worldwide casting search to find the actor to play the teenaged Bruce Lee was launched last week by Us casting director Mary Vernieu and several casting associates around the globe.
The Us-Hong Kong-China co-production is financed by Dadi Media Group, Beijing Golden World Pictures, Shanghai Longzhilin...
Shekhar Kapur is set to direct a film about the early years of late martial arts star Bruce Lee, Little Dragon, to be produced by the star’s daughter Shannon Lee with backing from Chinese investors.
Shannon Lee, who runs Bruce Lee Entertainment, has co-scripted the project with Kapur and will produce with Tim Kwok of Convergence Entertainment.
Set in 1950s Hong Kong, the film follows a young Bruce Lee as he comes to terms with his family’s disappointment, young love, betrayal and racism in the early years of his international career.
A worldwide casting search to find the actor to play the teenaged Bruce Lee was launched last week by Us casting director Mary Vernieu and several casting associates around the globe.
The Us-Hong Kong-China co-production is financed by Dadi Media Group, Beijing Golden World Pictures, Shanghai Longzhilin...
- 5/8/2017
- by lizshackleton@gmail.com (Liz Shackleton)
- ScreenDaily
The 18th Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival (PiFan) announced its line-up today with Maximilian Erlenwein’s German thriller Stereo [pictured] as the opening film.
Stereo received its world premiere in the Berlinale Panorama section in February but will recieve its Asian premiere at PiFan.
The festival’s closing film will be the world premiere of Korean director Kwon Lee’s sophomore feature My Ordinary Love Story, featuring popular stars Song Sae-byeok and Kang Ye-won.
“My Ordinary Love Story starts off as a humorous romantic comedy and later transforms into a horror mystery,” said chief programmer Jangwan Pyeon, describing it and the opening film as representative of the PiFan’s focus on more “complex genre films” this year.
The festival will screen 210 films from 47 countries with 43 world premieres and 20 international premieres. It will run July 17-27 with the closing ceremony on July 25 and encore screenings on the last two days.
Competition titles
The Puchon Choice: Feature competition section of 12 titles...
Stereo received its world premiere in the Berlinale Panorama section in February but will recieve its Asian premiere at PiFan.
The festival’s closing film will be the world premiere of Korean director Kwon Lee’s sophomore feature My Ordinary Love Story, featuring popular stars Song Sae-byeok and Kang Ye-won.
“My Ordinary Love Story starts off as a humorous romantic comedy and later transforms into a horror mystery,” said chief programmer Jangwan Pyeon, describing it and the opening film as representative of the PiFan’s focus on more “complex genre films” this year.
The festival will screen 210 films from 47 countries with 43 world premieres and 20 international premieres. It will run July 17-27 with the closing ceremony on July 25 and encore screenings on the last two days.
Competition titles
The Puchon Choice: Feature competition section of 12 titles...
- 6/19/2014
- by hjnoh2007@gmail.com (Jean Noh)
- ScreenDaily
Run the Tide
"Twilight" star Taylor Lautner is in negotiations to star in Soham Mehta's indie movie "Run the Tide". Rajiv Shah penned the script. Mehta, Shah and Tim Kwok will produce.
Lautner would play a man who kidnaps his younger brother and flees for the California coast when their drug-abusing mother is released from prison. The pair head out to start a new life, but their mother and her ex-husband are in close pursuit. [Source: The Wrap]
The Fifth Wave
Chloe Moretz is in final negotiations to star in J Blakeson's film adaptation of Rick Yancey's popular young adult novel "The 5th Wave" for Sony Pictures.
Moretz would play Cassie Sullivan, who survives four waves of deadly attacks against the Earth's population. On the run to save her younger brother, 16-year-old Cassie meets a mysterious young man who may become her final hope. [Source: The Wrap]
Monster Trucks
Thomas Lennon ("Reno 911") has...
"Twilight" star Taylor Lautner is in negotiations to star in Soham Mehta's indie movie "Run the Tide". Rajiv Shah penned the script. Mehta, Shah and Tim Kwok will produce.
Lautner would play a man who kidnaps his younger brother and flees for the California coast when their drug-abusing mother is released from prison. The pair head out to start a new life, but their mother and her ex-husband are in close pursuit. [Source: The Wrap]
The Fifth Wave
Chloe Moretz is in final negotiations to star in J Blakeson's film adaptation of Rick Yancey's popular young adult novel "The 5th Wave" for Sony Pictures.
Moretz would play Cassie Sullivan, who survives four waves of deadly attacks against the Earth's population. On the run to save her younger brother, 16-year-old Cassie meets a mysterious young man who may become her final hope. [Source: The Wrap]
Monster Trucks
Thomas Lennon ("Reno 911") has...
- 4/12/2014
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
As he continues to move on from the “Twilight” franchise that catapulted him to fame, Taylor Lautner is in negotiations to star in the indie movie “Run the Tide,” TheWrap has learned. Soham Mehta is directing from a script by Rajiv Shah, and the two of them are producing with Tim Kwok. Lautner is nearing a deal to play a man who kidnaps his younger brother and flees for the California coast when their drug-abusing mother is released from prison determined to rebuild their family. With nothing but the open road ahead of them, the brothers race away from a past.
- 4/11/2014
- by Jeff Sneider
- The Wrap
Heist thriller to go into production in summer.
Rob Cohen [pictured] will direct upcoming action heist thriller Risk.
Set to go into production in summer, the film follows a brilliant thief as he is released from prison early to execute a nearly impossible art heist.
Cohen previously directed The Fast and the Furious, xXx and Alex Cross.
Umedia’s Adrian Politowski and Karl Richards will be producing the film with Tim Kwok, Ksana Golod and George Parr.
Cohen commented: “I’ve always wanted to make a sophisticated caper/thriller in the style of Topkapi, To Catch a Thief and The Hot Rock, with smart characters and sexy European backgrounds. When I read the script of Risk, I knew this was it.”
Eric Harlacher wrote the screenplay, while Umedia International will be handling sales.
Rob Cohen [pictured] will direct upcoming action heist thriller Risk.
Set to go into production in summer, the film follows a brilliant thief as he is released from prison early to execute a nearly impossible art heist.
Cohen previously directed The Fast and the Furious, xXx and Alex Cross.
Umedia’s Adrian Politowski and Karl Richards will be producing the film with Tim Kwok, Ksana Golod and George Parr.
Cohen commented: “I’ve always wanted to make a sophisticated caper/thriller in the style of Topkapi, To Catch a Thief and The Hot Rock, with smart characters and sexy European backgrounds. When I read the script of Risk, I knew this was it.”
Eric Harlacher wrote the screenplay, while Umedia International will be handling sales.
- 2/7/2014
- by ian.sandwell@screendaily.com (Ian Sandwell)
- ScreenDaily
The Family Stone director to remake French hit for Umedia.
Thomas Bezucha, director of comedies The Family Stone and Monte Carlo, has boarded the English language remake of French hit Priceless for European film group Umedia,.
The 2006 romantic comedy, starring Audrey Tautou, proved a box-office smash in France on its original release and went on to be sold in more than 60 international territories.
The remake has been greenlit for production early summer 2014, shooting on location on the French Riviera.
It will centre on Alec, a shy and hard-working English waiter at a grand hotel on the Riviera, who is mistaken for a millionaire and seduced by Lauren, an American girl with expensive tastes, whose lifestyle is made possible only by the generosity of very wealthy men.
When Lauren discovers Alec’s true identity and limited resources, she bolts - but Alec, determined to woo Lauren no matter what the cost, pursues her along...
Thomas Bezucha, director of comedies The Family Stone and Monte Carlo, has boarded the English language remake of French hit Priceless for European film group Umedia,.
The 2006 romantic comedy, starring Audrey Tautou, proved a box-office smash in France on its original release and went on to be sold in more than 60 international territories.
The remake has been greenlit for production early summer 2014, shooting on location on the French Riviera.
It will centre on Alec, a shy and hard-working English waiter at a grand hotel on the Riviera, who is mistaken for a millionaire and seduced by Lauren, an American girl with expensive tastes, whose lifestyle is made possible only by the generosity of very wealthy men.
When Lauren discovers Alec’s true identity and limited resources, she bolts - but Alec, determined to woo Lauren no matter what the cost, pursues her along...
- 12/11/2013
- by michael.rosser@screendaily.com (Michael Rosser)
- ScreenDaily
Guillermo del Toro's next film Pacific Rim is getting a lot of love from the fans these days, and it looks like it inspired Gale Anne Hurd and Valhalla Entertainment to finally move forward on their own giant robot vs. monster movie, a live-action adaptation of Toei Animation's Japanese anime Gaiking. Hurd is currently a producer on The Walking Dead series, and has worked on other films such as Terminator, Aliens, and The Incredible Hulk.
The story follows "a young man who is recruited to serve as the lead pilot for the Super Robot Gaiking. When Earth is threatened by an alien race intent on taking over the planet, he emerges as the only one who can pilot the massive robot. Together with his fellow co-pilots he must fight off the alien force in order to save mankind."
The world doesn't have enough giant robot movies, and I...
The story follows "a young man who is recruited to serve as the lead pilot for the Super Robot Gaiking. When Earth is threatened by an alien race intent on taking over the planet, he emerges as the only one who can pilot the massive robot. Together with his fellow co-pilots he must fight off the alien force in order to save mankind."
The world doesn't have enough giant robot movies, and I...
- 12/19/2012
- by Joey Paur
- GeekTyrant
With all of the hype surrounding Guillermo del Toro’s Pacific Rim, it’s no surprise that others are looking at bringing more giant robots to the big screen. After the success various studious have had with comic book adaptations, we’ve been expecting more people to look toward anime properties, and it has been announced that Gale Anne Hurd’s Valhalla Entertainment will be producing a live-action version of Gaiking:
“Gale Anne Hurd’s Valhalla Entertainment (“The Walking Dead”) and Toei Animation have teamed with All Nippon Entertainment Works (Anew) to develop Toei’s iconic anime property Gaiking. This marks a new push for Toei into the U.S. marketplace and the first development deal for Anew.
Gaiking follows a young man who is recruited to serve as the lead pilot for the Super Robot Gaiking. When Earth is threatened by an alien race intent on taking over the planet,...
“Gale Anne Hurd’s Valhalla Entertainment (“The Walking Dead”) and Toei Animation have teamed with All Nippon Entertainment Works (Anew) to develop Toei’s iconic anime property Gaiking. This marks a new push for Toei into the U.S. marketplace and the first development deal for Anew.
Gaiking follows a young man who is recruited to serve as the lead pilot for the Super Robot Gaiking. When Earth is threatened by an alien race intent on taking over the planet,...
- 12/19/2012
- by Jonathan James
- DailyDead
Gale Anne Hurd’s Valhalla Entertainment (“The Walking Dead”) and Toei Animation have teamed with All Nippon Entertainment Works to develop Toei’s iconic anime property Gaiking. This marks a new push for Toei into the U.S. marketplace and the first development deal for Anew.
Gaiking follows a young man who is recruited to serve as the lead pilot for the Super Robot Gaiking. When Earth is threatened by an alien race intent on taking over the planet, he emerges as the only one who can pilot the massive robot. Together with his fellow co-pilots he must fight off the alien force in order to save mankind.
“I’m extremely excited to be working on Gaiking,” said Hurd, “which marks a huge step forward in adapting one of the best Japanese IP for a global audience.”
Valhalla Entertainment recently announced their USA Network pilot Horizon for Universal Cable Productions.
Gaiking follows a young man who is recruited to serve as the lead pilot for the Super Robot Gaiking. When Earth is threatened by an alien race intent on taking over the planet, he emerges as the only one who can pilot the massive robot. Together with his fellow co-pilots he must fight off the alien force in order to save mankind.
“I’m extremely excited to be working on Gaiking,” said Hurd, “which marks a huge step forward in adapting one of the best Japanese IP for a global audience.”
Valhalla Entertainment recently announced their USA Network pilot Horizon for Universal Cable Productions.
- 12/19/2012
- by Philip Sticco
- LRMonline.com
Gale Anne Hurd and her Valhalla Entertainment are teaming up with Toei Animation and All Nippon Entertainment Works to develop the giant robot property Gaiking into a feature film. No writer is on board but Hurd will produce the project along with Toei’s Yoshi Ikezawa and Joseph Chou. Sandy Climan, Tim Kwok and Kozo Morishita of Toei Animation are executive producing. Story: USA Orders World War II Sci-Fi Pilot From 'Walking Dead's' Gale Anne Hurd Valhalla’s director of development, Kris Henigman, will oversee development as will Annmarie Bailey of Anew. Gaiking was a short-lived Japanese animated series that
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- 12/19/2012
- by Borys Kit
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Two is the magic number for "Bunohan" director Dain Said. His second feature is the second film from Malaysia ever to be submitted for Oscar consideration. Said's, pictured left, debut effort was blocked by the country's censors. "This one was blessed and got through the censors," producer Tim Kwok told the audience after TheWrap's screening of "Bunohan" at the Landmark Theatre in Los Angeles on Monday night. Also read: Record 71 Countries Submit Films for Foreign-Language Oscars Kwok, the head of La-based Convergence Entertainment who hails from Malaysia as well, explained that the government regularly bans films...
- 12/12/2012
- by Greg Gilman
- The Wrap
Kevin Zegers, Keisha Castle-Hughes, Kristin Kreuk and more have joined the thriller "Vampire" for Rockwell Eyes and Convergence Entertainment reports Just Jared.
Zegers plays a schoolteacher and serial killer who searches for suicidal young women as his victims. He falls in love with each of them before their deaths. Rachael Leigh Cook, Adelaide Clemens, Amanda Plummer, Yu Aoi and Trevor Morgan also star.
Japanese director Iwai Shunji ("Love Letter ") makes his English-language debut on the film which he'll also produce with Tim Kwok. Shooting kicked off in Vancouver last week.
Zegers plays a schoolteacher and serial killer who searches for suicidal young women as his victims. He falls in love with each of them before their deaths. Rachael Leigh Cook, Adelaide Clemens, Amanda Plummer, Yu Aoi and Trevor Morgan also star.
Japanese director Iwai Shunji ("Love Letter ") makes his English-language debut on the film which he'll also produce with Tim Kwok. Shooting kicked off in Vancouver last week.
- 5/14/2010
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
A hot cast of young Western stars has joined Vampire, the English-language debut of Japanese director Iwai Shunji, including Keisha Castle-Hughes and Rachael Leigh Cook. Kevin Zegers plays a schoolteacher with a taste for human blood, who searches for suicidal young women as his victims; all of whom he falls in love with before their deaths. Also on board the film, which started shooting in Vancouver last week, are Kristin Kreuk (Smallville), Adelaide Clemens (X-Men: Origins) and Trevor Morgan (Mean Creek). Previously announced cast includes Amanda Plummer and Japanese star Yu Aoi. Iwais credits include festival favourites such as Love Letter and All About Lily Chou Chou, and he recently directed a segment of portmanteau, New York, I Love You, starring Orlando Bloom and Christina Ricci. Iwai is also producing Vampire alongside Convergences Tim Kwok.
- 5/14/2010
- bloody-disgusting.com
Convergence Entertainment (The King of Fighters) has gained the rights to produce live-action adaptations of the “Gungrave” and “Lone Wolf” properties. Tim Kwok will produce both projects. Andrew Lam is tapped to be the associate producer on “Lone Wolf”, while Yasuaki Nagoshi of Red Entertainment being the excutive producer on “Gungrave”. “Gungrave” was created by Japanese manga author Yasuhiro Nightow and follows the protagonist as he rises in a crime syndicate but is betrayed and murdered by his best friend. He is then resurrected by a kindly old doctor and equipped with various weapons, and sets out to destroy the syndicate that was once his life, and avenge [...]...
- 7/23/2009
- by Costa Koutsoutis
- ShockYa
Voltage Pictures has acquired foreign rights to Stallion Media's horror pic HybridHybrid," directed by Eric Valette (One Missed Call). Oded Fehr (Resident Evil: Apocalypse/Extinction, The Mummy) and Shannon Beckner topline the pic about a female mechanic in a Chicago police garage who spends a night of terror with a hybrid car. Stallion Media partners Oliver Hengst and Elizabeth Wang-Lee are producing with Kevin DeWalt of Minds Eye Entertainment and Tim Kwok of Convergence Entertainment. Alex Leung (Studio 407), Tim McGrath (Picture Park) and Christian Arnold-Beutel (Tadora) will exec produce. The pic's budgeted at more than $10 million. Shooting will begin this week around Regina, Saskatchewan. "Hybrid" is written by Neal Marshall Stevens ("Thirteen Ghosts").
- 3/29/2008
- bloody-disgusting.com
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