Paramount Pictures and J.J. Abrams’ Bad Robot have won the rights to adapt the blockbuster Japanese animated movie Your Name.
The two companies announced recently that they will work with Japan-based Toho Co, Ltd, the producers of the original animated film, to develop a live-action take on the story.
Eric Heisserer, who received an Academy Award nomination for his Arrival screenplay, will write the screenplay for Your Name.
The Japanese film was created, written, and directed by Makoto Shinkai. It 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.“We are excited to collaborate with an extremely talented team in Hollywood,” said Yoshishige Shimatani, CEO of Toho Co. “And to create with them a live-action version of the iconic Japanese film Your Name.”
J.J. Abrams’ company Bad Robot has won the rights to adapt the blockbuster Japanese animated movie Your Name. Photo: AFP
Paramount-based Abrams is one of Hollywood’s most prolific producers with credits on the Star Wars, Star Trek, Mission: Impossible, and Cloverfield franchises. He directed Star Wars: The Force Awakens and came on board on Sept 12 to replace Colin Trevorrow as director on Star Wars: Episode IX.
“Just like in the film it feels like a dream,” said 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 honoured to work with these incredible creators in bringing to audiences the Hollywood live-action version of Your Name.”
Your Name grossed US$303mil (RM1.3bil) in Japan and held the top spot at the box office for 12 weeks. It’s also the highest-grossing Japanese film to release in China with US$85.6mil (RM362mil). – Reuters
