Koei Announce Co-Development of Film, Based on Screenplay by Legendary Director Akira Kurosawa

News by GamesIndustry International Contributor

Published on Nov. 8, 2004

YOKOHAMA, Kanagawa, Japan -- October 28, 2004 -- KOEI Co, Ltd. (Koei), Kou Shibusawa Production, and Kurosawa Production join forces to bring to fruition the film Oni (T.B.C.), based on a script by the late director Akira Kurosawa.

The three collaborating companies expand the film's scope into a variety of genres and media, starting with video game development. The video game based on the film, is for the next-generation successor to the PlayStation 2 video game console.

The project - including film production, video game development - has a total production budget of 3 billion yen. Film revenues, video game are projected to be 10 billion yen worldwide.

Koei, Kou Shibusawa Production, and Kurosawa Production are all Yokohama-based companies. Keiko Erikawa is the CEO of Koei. Kou Shibusawa Production is represented by Yoichi Erikawa. Hisao Kurosawa represents Kurosawa Production.

Shibusawa Production and KurosawaProduction Collaborate on Film, Based on Screenplay by Legendary Director Akira Kurosawa; 2006 Expected Release

YOKOHAMA, Kanagawa, Japan -- October 28, 2004 -- Kou Shibusawa Production and Kurosawa Production join forces to develop the original film Oni (T.B.C.).

Oni is an action film, based on a script by the late, great director Akira Kurosawa. Amidst the conflict of the Warring Period 16th century Japan, a blonde-haired samurai warrior must discover his own destiny. Themes transcend to other Akira Kurosawa works, such as Seven Samurai and The Hidden Fortress.

To make the film a reality, his son Hisao Kurosawa and game producer Kou Shibusawa will complete the script. Oni marks the film directorial debut of Hisao Kurosawa, also the film production debut of Kou Shibusawa. The projected film release is in 2006.

Furthermore, registration for general auditions for the male role of Oni, as well as of the main heroine, begin on November 1, 2004. For audition details, please refer to the audition registration form.

Koei Announce Development of Next-Generation PlayStation Game, Other Multimedia Products

YOKOHAMA, Kanagawa, Japan -- October 28, 2004 -- KOEI Co., Ltd. (Koei) will develop the video game to the film Oni (T.B.C.), a Kou Shibusawa Production.

Koei has all video game development and other second-party licensing rights. The company is posed to release a wide range of products for the film Oni. Starting with video game development, Koei expands the film's scope into a variety of genres and media.

The video game Oni is a historical action title based on the film, for the next-generation successor to the PlayStation 2 video game console. Koei plan simultaneous theatrical and video game releases of Oni in 2006.

Koei is developing other media, such as cellular phone content, character merchandise, music, portraits, books, in anticipating of Oni's release.

Oni Film Outline

Film Title: Oni (T.B.C.)

Release Date: 2006

Genre: Historical Action

Starring: General audition (please see the general audition registration form)

Director: Hisao Kurosawa (directorial debut)

Screenplay: Hisao Kurosawa and Kou Shibusawa

Manuscript: Akira Kurosawa

Producer: Kou Shibusawa (production debut)

Production: Kou Shibusawa Production and Kurosawa Production

Distribution: To be announced