Author: ADV Films
Dated: May 19, 2003
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ADV FILMS ANNOUNCES LIVE-ACTION THEATRICAL VERSION OF JAPANESE ANIMATED TITLE “NEON
GENESIS EVANGELION;” VISUAL EFFECTS BY “LORD OF THE RINGS” STUDIO WETA
WORKSHOP LTD.
THE MOST INFLUENTIAL JAPANESE ANIMATED SERIES IN MODERN TIMES TO COME TO LIFE AS A FEATURE
FILM
CANNES, FRANCE, 19 May 2003—In an announcement sure to make waves in the
entertainment industry, ADV Films President and CEO John Ledford today publicly confirmed
industry rumors that the firm has acquired the rights to produce, and has already begun
development of, a live-action feature-film based on the Japanese animated television
series “Neon Genesis Evangelion,” a multi-million dollar worldwide franchise and
perhaps the most influential anime title in the history of the art form. The project is a
collaboration between ADV Films, Gainax and Weta Workshop, Ltd.
The Participants
ADV Films is the leading producer-distributor of Japanese animation in North America. The
Japanese anime and game studio Gainax Network Systems was one of the original production
studios responsible for “Neon Genesis Evangelion,” and Weta Workshop, Ltd. is
the New Zealand-based special effects studio that created the effects for Peter
Jackson’s “Lord of the Rings” trilogy.
“The three main players here represent something of a ‘dream-team’ for a
project like this one,” said Ledford. “Between the quality and significance of
the Gainax title, Weta’s industry-leading skill in the creation of special visual
effects, and our expertise in the marketing and promotion of anime and anime-related
content, this project is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
The Story
“Neon Genesis Evangelion” is the story of a reluctant young hero, called upon to
pilot an immense robotic weapon in battle against alien invaders. Including both a
26-episode television series and at least two animated motion pictures, “Neon Genesis
Evangelion” has long been both a fan favorite and an extraordinary critical and
commercial success, with the worldwide franchise producing many millions of dollars in
revenue.
Timetable
The “Neon Genesis Evangelion” live-action motion picture is in the earliest
stages of development. Ledford confirmed, however, that the timetable is an aggressive
one, and that more information on the project is forthcoming.
About Weta Workshop, Ltd
Founded in 1987 by Richard Taylor, Tania Rodger, Peter Jackson and Jamie Selkirk, Weta is
a physical and digital effects company providing creatures, special make-up effects,
prosthetics, miniatures, armor, weaponry and digital effects for the film and television
industry. Over the past sixteen years the company has provided effects for Jackson’s
“Meet the Feebles”, “Braindead” (aka “Dead Alive”),
“Heavenly Creatures,” “The Frighteners,” and “The Lord of the
Rings” movie trilogy, as well as for advertisements and television shows including
the popular “Hercules” and “Xena” series. At the height of production
on “The Lord of the Rings,” Weta Workshop employed 150 physical effects
technicians and 350 digital effects technicians at Weta Digital. Weta’s work on
“The Lord of the Rings” has garnered worldwide praise including two Academy
Awards in 2002 (for Best Visual Effects and Best Makeup), and one in 2003 (for Best Visual
Effects). The British Academy has also honored Weta’s work by awarding two BAFTAs in
2002 (for Best Visual Effects and Best Makeup) and two more in 2003 (for Best Visual
Effects and Best Costume).
About Gainax
Gainax was founded in 1984. It began as a corps of amateur filmmakers, centered around
current company president Hiroyuki Yamaga and anime director Hideaki Anno. Their first
work, “Wings of Honneamise,” continues to garner praise worldwide. Gainax’s
highly original style of filmmaking spans the generations, appealing to fans both young
and old. 1995’s “Neon Genesis Evangelion” whipped up an anime fever of
extraordinary proportions, receiving attention not only from anime fans, but also from
many other corners of society. Hideaki Anno, who directed “Neon Genesis
Evangelion,” commands respect from even the likes of “Spirited Away”
director Hayao Miyazaki.
About ADV Films:
In 1992, ADV Films began to forge the international market for Japanese animation
(“anime”) by combining unique titles, outstanding production values and
efficient large-scale distribution. Today, ADV Films is the #1 producer-distributor of
Japanese animation to the North American market, with the firm’s holdings including
such premier titles as “NOIR,” “Sailor Moon,” “Samurai X,”
“Hello Kitty’s Paradise,” “RahXephon,” “Spriggan,”
“Robotech,” “Full Metal Panic” and “Neon Genesis
Evangelion.” In addition, ADV Films’ product line has expanded to include other
forms of genre programming, including live-action science fiction programs “Gene
Roddenberry's Andromeda,” “Mutant X” and The Jim Henson Company’s
“Farscape,” and classic science fiction such as the updated “Gamera”
trilogy. ADV Films’ parent company, A.D. Vision, Inc., also publishes Newtype USA,
the premier anime and manga monthly in the English-speaking world, and operates The Anime
Network™, broadcasting anime and anime-related programming via digital cable, 24
hours a day. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, USA, with additional offices in the EU and
Japan, and distribution on four continents, ADV is fast becoming an international
entertainment powerhouse.