Blazing Samurai

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Blazing Samurai
BlazingSamuraiPromotionalPoster.png
Promotional poster
Directed byRob Minkoff
Mark Koetsier
Written byEd Stone
Nate Hopper
Robert Ben Garant
Based onBlazing Saddles
by Mel Brooks (Inspired by)
Produced byAdam Nagle
Rob Minkoff
Guy Collins
Starring
Edited byMichael W. Andrews
Music byBear McCreary
Production
companies
Blazing Productions, Ltd.
Align
Aniventure
Brooksfilms
H.Brothers
Distributed bySTX Entertainment
Open Road Films
Briarcliff Entertainment
Release date
  • 2021 (2021)
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$56.4 million[1]

Blazing Samurai is an upcoming American computer-animated action adventure comedy film inspired by Mel Brooks’ seminal 1974 Western comedy film Blazing Saddles, directed by Rob Minkoff and Mark Koetsier and written by Ed Stone and Nate Hopper. The film stars Michael Cera, Samuel L. Jackson, Ricky Gervais, George Takei, Gabriel Iglesias, Djimon Hounsou, Michelle Yeoh, and Brooks himself.[1]

Premise[]

Hank, a scrappy dog who dreams of becoming a samurai, arrives in a strange land entirely inhabited by cats. Hank meets the nefarious warlord Ika Chu, who hustles an unwitting Hank into becoming the samurai for the town of Kakamucho where Hank meets Jimbo, a once great cat samurai who reluctantly takes Hank under his wing and teaches him what being a samurai really means. Forging the first real friendship between a cat and a dog, the two set off on a journey to save the town of Kakamucho from the evil Ika Chu, and ultimately, Hank learns what it means to become a true samurai.

Cast[]

Development[]

It was first reported in February 2015 that Blazing Samurai was in development by GFM Animation, with a release originally planned for 2017.[4]

Arc Productions were contracted to provide the bulk of the animation production services on Blazing Samurai. Grosvenor Park Media Fund LP had provided a loan facility of up to $45.3 million to Arc Productions. According to an article dated August 2, 2016 entitled "Samurai Film Delivered Final Blow to Arc Productions" in The Globe and Mail,[5] following an e-mail on July 26, 2016 from GFM Films to Grosvenor, Grosvenor called in their loan and forced Arc into receivership. No updates on GFM's website since this date so it is not clear whether GFM has managed to transition to a new animation facility.

According to Hardman & Co.,[6] the budget for Blazing Samurai was £23m and Ober Private Clients assisted in the financing of this film through an EIS fund raise. The breakdown of financing was £5m EIS raise; debt finance of £12m; a £5m investment from a Chinese Distributor plus Canadian Film Council Tax credits which made up the balance. Hardman & Co.[6] credits Ober Private Clients to "attracting top talent to this film, with the starring actors being rewarded on the film profitability rather than taking a more traditional fee. Keeping costs as low as possible is imperative given that it is impossible to predict the success rates of films".

On February 5, 2015, Open Road Films acquired the US rights to Mass Animation's animated film Blazing Samurai scheduling it for an April 14, 2017 release. Chris Bailey was hired to direct the film based on the script by Ed Stone & Nate Hopper. The film is being produced by Rob Minkoff through Flying Tigers Entertainment, Yair Landau and Susan Purcell through Mass Animation, with GFM Films handling international sales. Sony Pictures International acquired rights to some international countries.

On August 7, 2020, Align took control of the film.[7]

On February 25, 2021, it was announced that Rob Minkoff and Mark Koetsier have replaced Chris Bailey as the director of the film. Blazing Samurai will be Koetsier's directorial debut. Yair Landau and Susan Purcell have also been replaced by Adam Nagle and Guy Collins as the producers.[8]

Release[]

In November 2019 it was announced in Screen Daily that Blazing Samurai was "at first animatic stage" at animation studio Cinesite. The same article indicated that the production has a tentative 2021 release date.[1]

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b c Macnab, Geoffrey (November 6, 2019). "GFM Animation's long-gestating 'Blazing Samurai' is back in the saddle (exclusive)". Screen Daily. Retrieved November 13, 2019.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g h i Busch, Anita (November 3, 2015). "'Blazing Samurai' Lands A-List Voice Talent Led By Samuel L. Jackson". Deadline.com. Retrieved November 4, 2015.
  3. ^ McNary, Dave (November 4, 2015). "Ricky Gervais Joins Comedy 'Blazing Samurai'". Variety.com. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
  4. ^ Amidi, Amid (9 Feb 2015). "Chris Bailey and Mark Koetsier Will Direct "Blazing Samurai" Feature". Cartoon Brew.
  5. ^ "Samurai film delivered final blow to Toronto's Arc Productions: documents". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 27 January 2019.
  6. ^ Jump up to: a b "EIS Provider Review" (PDF). Hardman & Co. April 5, 2017. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 6, 2019. Retrieved February 7, 2018.
  7. ^ "'Blazing Samurai' Gains Finance Ally in Align". 7 August 2020.
  8. ^ Barraclough, Leo (February 25, 2021). "First Look: Animated Comedy 'Blazing Samurai,' Starring Michael Cera, Samuel L. Jackson, Ricky Gervais (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved February 25, 2021.

External links[]


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