Fox Networks Asia has picked up a slew of rights to film titles that were the hottest earlier this month in Cannes. They include Sam Raimi’s “The Kingkiller Chronicle,” female actioner “355” to be produced by and star Jessica Chastain, and Benedict Cumberbatch-starring Cold War thriller “Ironbark.”
The networks group operates some 150 channels in Asia across 10 countries and territories. The titles acquired will air on Fox Movies Asia in South East Asia, including Hong Kong and Taiwan. They will also be available for VoD screening on Fox+, which is now functional in Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan and The Philippines.
“By acquiring blockbuster epics, laugh-out-loud comedies and thoughtful independent products at Cannes this year, Fox Movies Asia is maintaining the title of top movie channel in the region,” said Keertan Adyanthaya, FNG’s executive VP, content & marketing, in the APAC region.
“355” which during Cannes was the subject of bid battles for North American and Chinese rights, is to be directed by “X-Men” producer Simon Kinberg and will star Fan Bingbing, Lupita Nyong’o and Penelope Cruz alongside Chastain. “Ironbark” is a fact-based story based on the activities of British businessman Greville Wynne. Like “355” its rights sales are handled by FilmNation.
Pitched by Lionsgate, “Kingkiller” is based on Patrick Rothfuss’s novel “The Name of the Wind,” and is to be directed by Sam Raimi on a budget over $100 million. “Scary Stories” is produced and co-written by Guillermo del Toro, from Alvin Schwartz book series, and is to be directed by Andre Ovredal. Rights were handled by Sierra/Affinity.
The broadcast group also picked up two other yet-to-be released Lionsgate titles, “Robin Hood” and “The Spy Who Dumped Me.” Starring Taron Egerton and Jamie Foxx, “Robin Hood” is and action-heavy retelling of the traditional British tale, produced by Leonardo DiCaprio. “Spy” is an action comedy starring Mila Kunis and Kate McKinnon. Both are set for theatrical releases this year.
From XYZ Films, Fox picked up “Arctic,” the first feature film from Brazilian YouTube director Joe Penna. It stars Mads Mikkelsen as a man stranded in the Arctic, and on a deadly trek to survive.
