Global Flicks: The Johnny & Associates Will Dissolve Following Major Scandal
Genevieve Nnaji - Gregg DeGuire / Stringer
Africa: Genevieve Nnaji is set to return to the big screen in the film adaptation of Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani’s debut novel, I Do Not Come To You by Chance. Ishaya Bako is set to direct the film. The story revolves around a man running email scams to provide for his family until his actions lead to dangerous consequences.
John Barker to direct and write the sequel, The Umbrella Men: Escape from Robben Island. The film follows the gang successfully pulling off a bank heist as the law promptly catches up. The cast includes Shamilla Miller, Bronté Snell, and June van Merch.
Asia: Trinity CineAsia has picked rights to The Ex-Files 4: Marriage Plan. The official release is on Oct. 6 and is directed by Tian Yusheng (The Sacrifice, The Last Wish). The film stars Han Geng, Zheng Kai, Kelly Yu (Moonfall), Liu Yase (Limbo, So Young), and Zeng Mengxue.
EST N8 has appointed Chen Tata Xinrui as its sales and distribution manager. EST N8 is a partnership between EST Studios and Bangkok-based N8 Studios that was officially launched at Cannes. Chen will expand the co-development and co-producing business internationally for EST N8 and unveil new titles at the ACFM market.
The Johnny & Associates talent agency in Japan is to dissolve following a major scandal caused by sexual abuse conducted by the group’s late founder, Johnny Kitagawa. Following two investigations that found Kitagawa’s abuse had been extensive and continued for years, the company had ignored or covered up. The company will break itself into two parts: Smile-Up, entirely devoted to compensating victims and the other as a talent agency operating with a new name.
Jack Neo will direct and produce Money No Enough 3. The film is the first project from HiJack Pictures, the joint venture outfit between Clover Films and Neo’s J Team productions. The film will star actors from the original franchise, including Mark Lee, Henry Thia, and Neo. Production is shooting for an early 2024 completion.
Celso Garcia - Victor Chavez
Latin America: Mexico’s Guannaby Films and Colombia’s Dynamo have joined forces to make The Last Circus. The film is written by Guzman and directed by Celso Garcia (The Thin Yellow Line). The film follows a con artist who has just lost his family’s circus business and has a chance to redeem himself when he stumbles across a priceless gem stolen from a museum.
Pampa Films and Lungo Films are teaming up with Bravura Media to produce a series based on the novel Fordlandia, a Dark Paradise by Eduardo Sguiglia. Fordlandia follows automobile tycoon Henry Ford, who started producing rubber tires in the Amazon following a rubber shortage.
