Joe and Anthony Russo, the directors of “Captain America: Civil War,” are in talks for an untitled production partnership with China-based Huayi Brothers Media Corp.
The new company would be a production and financing company to develop high-concept material that focuses on storytelling and strong characters. Huayi Brothers will contribute $250 million for operation, overhead, production development and intellectual property acquisition for mainstream global English-language franchise tentpole films to be distributed worldwide plus $100 million in production funding as well.
Huayi Brothers will have distribution rights in Greater China and South East Asia along with the right to exploit theme park construction, development and operation based on projects from the partnership.
The Russo brothers are committed to direct Marvel’s “Avengers: Infinity War,” which has a release date for May 4, 2018. Disney-Marvel announced last month that what was slated to be the second part in that story, “Avengers: Infinity War Part II,” had been renamed as an “Untitled Avengers” project while retaining the May 3, 2019, release date.
The Russos will include their Getaway Productions as part of the new production entity. The brothers’ Chinese studio, Anthem and Song, is not part of the new deal.
“Captain America: Civil War” grossed $1.15 billion worldwide this year with $407 million domestically and $190 million in China as the top two territories.
The Russo Brothers are also producers on STX Entertainment’s “17 Bridges,” Fox’s “Sex Castle,” Fox 2000’s “Space Runner” and MGM’s remake of “The Thomas Crown Affair.” They are also producing a TV series based on “The Warriors” as a Paramount Television Production in association with Getaway Productions.
The news was first reported by Deadline Hollywood.
