Photo Yasushi Akimoto : Kurigami
“47 Meters Down,” “Welcome to Raccoon City” director Johannes Roberts will continue to delve into the horror genre and engaging subjects with “The Not Polly,” teaming up with producers Riki Melwani and Eiko Matsumoto from Akimoto Studios. The upcoming horror film will star Jade Pettyjohn (“Destroyer”), with Bankside Films launching international sales.
Aikimoto Studio was established by Yasushi Akimoto, one of Japan’s most prolific film and TV producers, Akimoto created the “Chakushin Ari”(“One Missed Call“) horror franchise, which began with his novel of the same name and was first brought to film in 2003 before being remade by Hollywood in 2008. He wrote both the novel and the screen adaptation for “One Missed Call : Final.” Akimoto also produced major Japanese Idol groups like AKB48, Nogizaka46. And recently also partnered with Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith’s Westbrook Inc to develop his novel The Elephant’s Back for an international audience.
Roberts gained recognition through his underwater thriller “47 Meters Down” which earned more than $60 million at the box office out of budget that less than $5M. The sequel, “47 Meters Down: Uncaged was succeeded” as the franchise, which has grossed more than $100M worldwide in 2019.
Roberts said in statement : “I’m so excited to be working with Bankside and the whole team on this project as they truly get my twisted vision! I can’t wait for an audience to experience this darkly comic yet terrifying film.”
Akimoto added: “It all started from an idea. What if one of the bodies at the morgue woke up and started searching for the truth. I wanted to make this concept into a horror movie.
I am already very excited knowing Johannes Roberts of “47 Meters Down” will be directing my original story.”
Stephen Kelliher of Bankside Films said: “The Not Polly” is a completely original and hugely entertaining take on a horror story which audiences are going to have a lot of fun with. Johannes who has proven time and again that he knows how to connect with broad audiences at the international box office and “The Not Polly” is set to be his next big hit.”
CAA Media Finance is repping North American rights.