Generator Entertainment, the newly launched production company by John Wick 3 screenwriter Chris Collins, producer Kelly McKee and lawyer Ken Browning, have entered into two strategic partnerships in Japan and South Korea, seeking to strengthen their activities in that country. Asia by acquiring local intellectual property and working with in-demand talent.
In Japan, Generator Entertainment has teamed up with Tokyo-based Studio Muso, a production company founded by former Disney Japan executive Harry Tanaka and producer Nicholas Simon (The White Lotus, The Creator, Sympathize). The companies have co-opted a bestselling novel from Japanese publishing heavyweight Shueisha. They describe the title as “in the vein of Mission Impossible but located in Tokyo. They are also collaborating on a horror project set in Japan and written by Collins. Title Yokaithe feature film is in the vein of psychological horror of Stanley Kubrick’s film. The Brilliant.
In Seoul, Generator struck a strategic deal with prolific Korean producer Lewis Taewan Kim (Okja, The host, Sleep) and its Lewis Pictures banner. Partners working on Jo Sung-hee’s next film, including 2021 sci-fi western Space sweepers became a worldwide hit on Netflix.
Both partnerships are described by Generator as non-exclusive.
Launched last November with the backing of Austin, Texas-based Hill Country Studios, Generator aims to develop, produce and finance films and television series in the action, sci-fi and horror genres with budgets between 5 and 20 million dollars.
Generator says its move into Japan was a natural step given that co-founder Collins, born in Hong Kong, is Japanese-American and spent his formative years in Tokyo. Known for his work on The thread, Sons of Anarchy And Star Wars Clone WarsCollins describes his script in hybrid language for Yokai as a personal passion project. Generator has also begun development on a series adaptation of the 2021 Japanese independent film by Canadian filmmaker Philippe McKie. Dreams on fireexploring the underground dance world of Tokyo.
Generator Entertainment summed up its ambitions in Asia with the following statement: “There are a large number of incredibly talented and important artists in Japan and Korea who have been making high-quality films and television shows for decades. The world is becoming more and more aware of this. What Roy Lee achieved by reprising hit Asian genre films such as The grudge, The ring And The deceasedand adapting them into English for a global audience is a recipe we greatly admire and hope to replicate. We will make adaptations entirely in English, films entirely in the local language, as well as a hybrid language.