HOLLYWOOD, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Paramount Pictures and Bad Robot announced today they have won the
rights to adapt the hit Japanese film YOUR NAME for the big screen. The
two companies will work with Japan-based Toho Co., Ltd., the producers
of the acclaimed original animated film, to develop a live-action take
on the story that has captivated audiences around the world over since
its release in 2016. Toho will handle distribution of the film in Japan.
J.J. Abrams and Lindsey Weber will produce for Bad Robot, along with
Genki Kawamura, producer of the original film. Academy Award®-nominated
screenwriter Eric Heisserer (ARRIVAL) will write the screenplay.
"We are excited to collaborate with an extremely talented team in
Hollywood," said Yoshishige Shimatani, CEO of Toho Co., Ltd. "And to
create with them a live-action version of the iconic Japanese film YOUR
NAME."
"Just like in the film it feels like a dream," said Genki Kawamura. "Mr.
Abrams and his team have captivated audiences in their masterful
reinvention of known properties. And Mitsuha and Taki have found a
perfect narrator, Mr. Heisserer, to tell their sci-fi-infused love
story, which gave the film such drive. The meetings so far have been
creatively stimulating with fantastic ideas that no doubt will make for
a great movie. I am greatly honored to work with these incredible
creators in bringing to audiences the Hollywood live-action version of
YOUR NAME."
Said Makoto Shinkai, "YOUR NAME is a film created with the innate
imaginations of a Japanese team and put together in a domestic medium.
When such a work is imbued with Hollywood filmmaking, we may see new
possibilities that we had been completely unaware of --- I am looking
forward to the live-action film with excited anticipation."
YOUR NAME, an original story created, written, and directed by Makoto
Shinkai, tells the story of a teenage boy and girl from different
backgrounds who discover they can swap bodies. They become desperate to
cross space and time to find a way to meet and stop an impending
disaster.
The original film was produced by Genki Kawamura with Minami Ichikawa,
Keiji Ota, and Yoshihiro Furusawa for Toho Co., Ltd., and Noritaka
Kawaguchi for CoMix Wave Films serving as executive producers.
YOUR NAME has become the highest grossing anime film at the worldwide
box office, earning US$355M. In Japan, it earned ¥25.0 billion (US$303M)
and held the top spot at the box office for a record-breaking 12 weeks
(non-consecutive). The movie is also the highest grossing Japanese film
to release in China to date, earning US$85.6M.
About Paramount Pictures Corporation
Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a major global producer and
distributor of filmed entertainment, is a unit of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIAB,
VIA), home to premier global media brands that create compelling
television programs, motion pictures, short-form content, apps, games,
consumer products, social media experiences and other entertainment
content for audiences in more than 180 countries.
About Toho Co., Ltd.
Toho Company, Limited, is a Japanese entertainment studio focused on the
development, production, exhibition and distribution of powerful content
for motion pictures, television and theater. Founded in 1932, it remains
a prominent force in bringing brands and original storytelling with
versatile talents to audiences worldwide. Its subsidiaries include Toho
Cinemas, the highest grossing exhibition company in Japan.
View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170927006442/en/
Paramount Pictures Corporate Communications
Chris Petrikin,
323-956-4420
Chris_petrikin@paramount.com
or
Paramount
Pictures Domestic Publicity
Katie Martin Kelley, 323-956-2821
KMK@paramount.com
Source: Paramount Pictures Corporation
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