VIZ Media has signed a strategic partnership with The Gotham Group to develop film and television adaptations based on its growing portfolio of original intellectual property, including the VIZ Originals graphic novel line and the globally recognized RWBY franchise.
The Deal
Under the agreement, The Gotham Group will identify and package projects drawn from VIZ Media’s expanding library of original IP. The Gotham Group’s credits include Percy Jackson and the Olympians, The Search for WondLa, the Maze Runner franchise, and the Bruce Springsteen feature Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere.
RWBY
At the heart of the collaboration is RWBY, the landmark animated franchise created by the late Monty Oum. Since its debut in 2013, RWBY has amassed more than 350 million views globally while expanding into publishing, video games, and animated spinoffs including RWBY: Ice Queendom and two Justice League x RWBY crossover films.
Widely recognized as the first anime series produced in the United States—and the first Western-produced anime to be dubbed and distributed in Japan—RWBY helped pave the way for a new generation of globally developed anime-inspired storytelling.
VIZ Originals
The deal also includes VIZ Originals, VIZ Media’s original manga imprint. Featuring works from acclaimed creators including Rem & Bikkuri (Devil’s Candy), bestselling author Rainbow Rowell (Fangirl), Eisner nominee Sam Sattin (Lynx), and internationally renowned artist Acky Bright (Galaxic Baseball League), VIZ Originals continues to champion the next generation of international storytellers.
What They’re Saying
“From the beginning, our vision for RWBY has been to build a global franchise that connects with fans across every medium,” said Brad Woods, President and CEO of VIZ Media. “With Volume 10 officially underway, we’re excited to take the next step by partnering with The Gotham Group to develop RWBY, alongside our growing portfolio of original graphic novels, for film and television.”
Ellen Goldsmith-Vein, Founder & CEO of The Gotham Group, added: “We are thrilled to be working with the iconic VIZ on RWBY and beyond. The RWBY franchise is one of the most prolific out there and we’re excited to be a part of bringing new stories to life.”
The partnership marks a significant expansion of VIZ Media’s entertainment business, bringing its creator-driven stories to the screen through one of Hollywood’s leading production and management companies. RWBY Volume 10 is currently in production, with film and television development now underway across the VIZ Originals slate.
Source: VIZ Media
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