“Raya and the Last Dragon” Director Carlos Lopez Estrada is set to rewrite and direct the live-action remake of Japanese animation “Your Name” at Paramount, Bad Robot and Toho.
Estrada is rewriting this reimagined version script which was initially written by Academy Award-nominated screenwriter Eric Heisserer from “Arrival.” Bad Robot’s J.J. Abrams will produce the film alongside Hannah Minghella, Jon Cohen, and Genki Kawamura, who produced the original. “Your Name” was a staggering hit in Japan, grossing more than $230 million.
The original film told the story of Taki Tachibana（Ryunosuke Kamiki), a high school boy from Tokyo, and Mitsuha Miyamizu(Mone Kamishiraishi), a girl from rural Itomori, who suddenly and inexplicably begin to swap bodies with each other intermittently. The upcoming live action version will reimagine their story, though no actors have yet been cast in the two central roles.
Mexican director López Estrada began his career directing music videos for musicians like Billie Eilish, Misty,Flying Lotus, Katy Perry, Carly Rae Jepsen.
His debut film, “Blindspotting” which premiered at the opening night of Sundance. It sparked a bidding war and was subsequently released by Lionsgate Entertainment.
López Estrada was nominated by the DGA for Outstanding Directorial Achievement of a First-Time Feature Film.
His third film, “Ray and the Last Dragon,” was released by Disney in March of 2021 and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.
López Estrada is currently developing an animated feature documentary set to release in 2023, as well as the live-action adaptation of Disney’s animated favorite, “Robin Hood.”
Toho will handle distribution of the film in Japan; Paramount will release the picture in the U.S. and all other international territories.