The H Collective Adds Rakuten as Investment Partner On "BRIGHTBURN" and "xXx 4"

THE H COLLECTIVE ADDS RAKUTEN AS INVESTMENT PARTNER ON “BRIGHTBURN” AND “XXX 4”

Companies to Join Forces on Japanese Distribution Company and Partner to Release xXx 4 in Japan

CANNES/LOS ANGELES/TOKYO, May 14, 2019 – The H Collective, a global film finance, production, marketing and distribution company, announced today that it has secured investment funding from Rakuten, Inc., a global leader in internet services headquartered in Tokyo, for its upcoming motion picture titles Brightburn and xXx 4.

Under the investment agreement, Rakuten has provided financing to Brightburn, The H Collective’s first globally released feature film starring Elizabeth Banks and produced by James Gunn (Guardians of the Galaxy).  Sony is releasing Brightburn on May 24 to coincide with Memorial Day Weekend in the US. Rakuten will also provide financing for the fourth installment of the xXx franchise, directed by D.J. Caruso starring Vin Diesel who will reprise his role of Xander Cage.

The H Collective and Rakuten will also establish a joint venture to distribute motion pictures in Japan. The joint venture will support the release of Brightburn and distribute xXx 4 as well as the animated film, Spycies, in Japan.  Directed by Guillaume Ivernel (Dragon Hunters), The H Collective invested in Spycies, which was produced by Chinese entertainment giant and frequent collaborator, iQiyi.

The H Collective CEO, Nic Crawley said: “I couldn’t be happier to be strengthening our relationships in Asia by partnering with Rakuten – which is one of the most exciting companies in the world.  Having them invest in Brightburn, our first global release and xXx 4, is a sign of their commitment to film investments. Japan is a fantastic market, ripe with distribution opportunities given the rising quantity of cinema admissions. These are just the first steps in our new business relationship.”

"This is the next step for Rakuten to empower the entertainment industry through strategic investment," said Mickey Mikitani, CEO of Rakuten. "I'm very excited to collaborate with The H Collective and look forward to growing our partnership to invest in international cinema and bring more great international films to Japan."


ABOUT THE H COLLECTIVE

Launched in 2017, and with offices in Los Angeles, The H Collective is a global film finance, production, marketing and distribution company that is producing and financing a diversified slate of high-quality films with strong Franchise IP potential.  The slate includes Brightburn starring Elizabeth Banks which Sony will release on May 24th and Christopher Cantwell’s thriller The Parts You Lose starring Aaron Paul. The H Collective acquired the rights to Aaron W. Sala’s horror thriller spec The Beast which will be directed by Christine Crokos and The H Collective/Xtreme Pictures will produce the fourth installment of the xXx franchise starring Vin Diesel. For further information, visit: www.thehcollectivefilms.com.

ABOUT RAKUTEN, INC
Rakuten, Inc is a global leader in internet services that empower individuals, communities, businesses and society. Founded in Tokyo, 1997 as an online marketplace, Rakuten has expanded to offer services in e-commerce, fintech, digital content and communications to more than 1.3 billion members around the world. The Rakuten Group has more than 17,000 employees and operations in 30 countries and regions. For further information, visit: https://global.rakuten.com/corp/

The H Collective Adds Rakuten as Investment Partner On "BRIGHTBURN" and "xXx 4"

Yoshiki To Score "XXX 4" Film Starring Vin Diesel; Multi-Film Partnership With The H Collective Announced

PROLIFIC COMPOSER YOSHIKI TEAMS WITH THE H COLLECTIVE ON ‘XXX 4’ AND ‘SPYCIES’ 

The H Collective Expands Portfolio with First Animated Feature with Entertainment Giant IQIYI

The H Collective has partnered with prolific Japanese composer and musician Yoshiki on the next installment in the xXx franchise, xXx 4 starring Vin Diesel.

The film will feature a theme song with music written by Yoshiki. xXx 4 is in pre-production with casting currently under way, and principal photography set to commence this year.

In addition, The H Collective has invested in its first animated feature, Spycies, an action spy comedy produced by Chinese entertainment giant iQiyi. Yoshiki will be working on the theme song and music for the feature which has been animated in France by Lux Populi Production. Spycies will be released in theatres across China on August 8th, 2019.

Yoshiki is a composer, classically-trained pianist, rock drummer, and the leader of the world-famous rock group X Japan, who has sold 30 million singles and albums combined. Yoshiki's film and television credits include composing music for Saw IV, Repo! The Genetic Opera, “The Golden Globe Awards,” and the hit anime series “Attack on Titan.”

After receiving the Asian Icon Award from Classic Rock magazine U.K., Yoshiki was chosen as the first Japanese man to appear on the cover of Vogue Japan. Yoshiki is currently finalizing X Japan’s first new studio album in over 22 years.

“Yoshiki is a great friend of ours at THC and we are incredibly proud to be working with such a talent on two movies which are both global in scope,” said The H Collective CEO Nic Crawley. “Spycies brings together talent from the US, Japan, China and France.”

Yoshiki said, “I'm excited to be part of the new xXx film and Spycies; composing the new theme songs and collaborating on the film scores.”

Yoshiki is represented by WME.

Photo credit: George Pimentel/Getty Images

ABOUT THE H COLLECTIVE
Launched in 2017, and with offices in Los Angeles, The H Collective is a global film finance, production, marketing and distribution company that is producing and financing a diversified slate of high-quality films with strong Franchise IP potential. The slate includes Brightburn starring Elizabeth Banks which Sony will release on May 24th and Christopher Cantwell’s thriller The Parts You Lose starring Aaron Paul. The H Collective acquired the rights to Aaron W. Sala’s horror thriller spec The Beast and will produce the fourth installment of the xXx franchise starring Vin Diesel. For further information, visit:
www.thehcollectivefilms.com.

Yoshiki To Score "XXX 4" Film Starring Vin Diesel; Multi-Film Partnership With The H Collective Announced

Global Sensation Jay Chou Boards "xXx 4" With Vin Diesel -- From The H Collective and One Race Films

GLOBAL SENSATION JAY CHOU BOARDS “xXx 4”
FROM THE H COLLECTIVE AND ONE RACE FILMS
 
Vin Diesel to Star, D.J. Caruso to Direct with Production Eyeing a 2019 Start Date

LOS ANGELES, CA (November 20, 2018) – The H Collective announced today that renowned musician, singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, actor and director Jay Chou (The Green Hornet, Now You See Me 2) will star alongside Vin Diesel in the latest installment of the “xXx” franchise directed by D.J. Caruso.

Chou is an Asian superstar who has won the World Music Award four times and appeared on soundtracks for films, including: The Green Hornet, Now You See Me 2, and Kung Fu Panda 3.  With multiple world tours under his belt, the “King of Mandopop” has acted as a mentor for the past two seasons of “The Voice” in China.  In Hollywood, Chou is known for appearing alongside Seth Rogen in the action comedy The Green Hornet and Jon Chu’s Adventure-Comedy Now You See Me 2.

The H Collective, who will finance xXx 4 alongside investment partners including Sparkle Roll Media, iQiyi Pictures, Dadi Huarui, Star League Media and Fulcrum Management Co., acquired the xXx franchise rights from Revolution Studios alongside its star and producer, Vin Diesel and his One Race Films banner. The xXx franchise, which includes: xXx, xXx: State of the Union, and xXx: Return of Xander Cage has collectively grossed nearly $1 billion at the worldwide box-office.  In 2017, xXx: Return of Xander Cage, generated $168 million at the Chinese box-office making it one of the top-grossing U.S. films in China.

The H Collective CEO Nic Crawley commented: “We are very excited to be working on the fourth installment of xXx, which has always been such a fun, action-packed, global franchise.  We are looking to build a well-rounded international cast and introduce bold new characters that are sure to have longevity in the continued franchise.”

“I’ve met DJ a number of times over the past few months and it’s very clear how talented he is as a director. I am looking forward to working with him and Vin in bringing this film to global audiences,” said Chou.  “This is an incredibly exciting film which I’m beyond happy to join.”

The H Collective is also introducing Chinese actress Zoe Zhang (Chinese Zodiac), a frequent collaborator of Jackie Chan, to the already diverse cast of international talent.  Joe Roth and Jeff Kirschenbaum will produce with Diesel, Samantha Vincent for One Race Films and The H Collective. Production is slated to begin in 2019.

ABOUT THE H COLLECTIVE
Launched in 2017, and with offices in Los Angeles, The H Collective is a global film finance, production, marketing and distribution company that producing and financing a diversified slate of high-quality films including horror, action comedy and franchise IP.  The slate includes BrightBurn starring Elizabeth Banks which Sony will release on May 24th and Christopher Cantwell’s thriller The Parts You Lose starring Aaron Paul. The H Collective acquired the rights to Aaron W. Sala’s horror thriller spec The Beast and is developing mainstream action-comedy Counter Spy. For further information, visit: www.thehcollectivefilms.com.

ABOUT ONE RACE FILMS / ONE RACE TV
One Race Films, founded in 1995 by writer, director, producer and actor Vin Diesel, has produced the five highest-grossing films in the “Fast” franchise — Fate of the Furious, Furious 7, Fast and Furious 6, “Fast Five as well as Fast & Furious. He has directed Multifacial, Strays and Los Bandoleros. Previously, ORF launched multiple franchises in the action genre, including the science-fiction thriller Pitch Black and the two follow-up films, Chronicles of Riddick and Riddick, along with the hit xXx. In addition to a thriving film production company, ORF launched One Race Television and has the existing gaming company Tigon Studios.  One Race has a multi-year overall deal with Universal Television, through which the company is developing a reboot of “Miami Vice” for NBC, as well as “Get Christie Love,” which received a pilot production commitment from ABC.  Tigon Studios has produced three critically acclaimed console titles including Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay and original property The Wheelman.
 
ABOUT REVOLUTION STUDIOS
Revolution Studios is a diversified entertainment company that owns, acquires and exploits film, television and stage productions.  Led by CEO Vince Totino and President and COO Scott Hemming, the company boasts one of the largest independent libraries of premium content, including 126 motion pictures which collectively earned more than $7.1 billion in box office receipts, as well as 240 television episodes.   Revolution recently produced xXx: Return of Xander Cage, as well as 46 of the motion pictures in its library, including Maid in Manhattan, Anger Management, Daddy Day Care, America’s Sweethearts, Hellboy, xXx, White Chicks and the Academy Award®-winning Black Hawk Down.  More recently, Revolution has acquired 80 movies through library acquisitions, including those of Morgan Creek International, Cold Spring Pictures and GK Films.  Originally founded by Joe Roth in 2000, the company was acquired by Content Partners in 2017

Global Sensation Jay Chou Boards "xXx 4" With Vin Diesel -- From The H Collective and One Race Films

Vin Diesel / One Race Films And The H Collective Acquire Rights to "xXx" Franchise From Revolution Studios

VIN DIESEL/ONE RACE FILMS AND THE H COLLECTIVE ACQUIRE RIGHTS TO “xXx” FRANCHISE FROM REVOLUTION STUDIOS

xXx 4 Production Slated to Start December 2018; Vin Diesel to Star and Produce with D.J. Caruso Returning as Director

Read our review of "xXx: Return of Xander Cage"


LOS ANGELES, CA (April 17, 2018) – The H Collective announced today that they have acquired the rights from Revolution Studios to the global hit xXx film franchise alongside its star and producer, Vin Diesel and his One Race Films. Revolution Studios retains its rights to the first three films.  D.J. Caruso (xXx: Return of Xander Cage, I Am Number Four, Disturbia) will return to direct xXx 4 with Diesel reprising his role as “Xander Cage.” Joe Roth and Jeff Kirschenbaum will produce with Diesel, Samantha Vincent for One Race Films and The H Collective. Production is slated for December 2018.

The xXx franchise, which includes xXx, xXx: State of the Union, and xXx: Return of Xander Cage has collectively grossed nearly $1 billion at the worldwide box-office.

The H Collective CEO Nic Crawley said: “During my time at Paramount I was lucky to be involved in the development and distribution of xXx: Return of Xander Cage. The response from the Chinese box office was unprecedented. Bringing the next installment of the xXx franchise to The H Collective complements our diversified slate and mission to produce content for a global audience.”

Diesel has starred in and produced the five highest-grossing films in the massively successful “Fast” franchise.  He voices ‘Groot’ in both the Guardians of the Galaxy films and will also appear in Marvel’s Avengers: Infinity War this April.

Caruso directed the franchise’s previous installment xXx: Return of Xander Cage and is best known for his work on DreamWork’s thriller Eagle Eye starring Shia LaBeouf and Michelle Monaghan, as well as I am Number Four for Touchstone Pictures and Disturbia for Paramount. His TV credits include “The Shield” for FX which earned two Golden Globe® wins.

The H Collective, who will finance xXx 4 alongside investment partners including Sparkle Roll Media, HCH Media, Dadi Cinema, and Angeleno Studio, is currently in production on an Untitled Horror Feature produced by James Gunn starring Elizabeth Banks and is also in post-production on Christopher Cantwell’s The Parts You Lose.

Diesel is represented by CAA and Brillstein Entertainment Partners. Caruso is represented by CAA and Media Talent Group.

ABOUT THE H COLLECTIVE
Launched in June, and with offices in Los Angeles, The H Collective is a global film finance, production, marketing and distribution company that is producing a diversified slate of four high-quality films per year.  The company established production deals with prominent producers such as James Gunn, Mark Johnson, Joe Roth, and Sid Ganis on a roster of films that encompasses Family/Comedy, Action/Adventure, Horror/Genre and Prestige fare. They are currently in post-production on Christopher Cantwell’s The Parts You Lose starring Aaron Paul, Scoot McNairy and Mary Elizabeth Winstead with Mark Johnson’s Gran Via Productions. The H Collective has recently formed a management arm with Chinese stars Li Bingbing and Karry Wang among the firm’s first talent.
For further information, visit: www.thehcollectivefilms.com.

ABOUT ONE RACE FILMS / ONE RACE TV
One Race Films, founded in 1995 by writer, director, producer and actor Vin Diesel, has produced the five highest-grossing films in the “Fast” franchise — Fate of the Furious, Furious 7, Fast and Furious 6, “Fast Five as well as Fast & Furious. He has directed Multifacial, Strays and Los Bandoleros. Previously, ORF launched multiple franchises in the action genre, including the science-fiction thriller Pitch Black and the two follow-up films, Chronicles of Riddick and Riddick, along with the hit xXx. In addition to a thriving film production company, ORF launched One Race Television and has the existing gaming company Tigon Studios.  One Race has a multi-year overall deal with Universal Television, through which the company is developing a reboot of “Miami Vice” for NBC, as well as “Get Christie Love,” which received a pilot production commitment from ABC.  Tigon Studios has produced three critically acclaimed console titles including Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay and original property The Wheelman.

ABOUT REVOLUTION STUDIOS
Revolution Studios is a diversified entertainment company that owns, acquires and exploits film, television and stage productions.  Led by CEO Vince Totino and President and COO Scott Hemming, the company boasts one of the largest independent libraries of premium content, including 126 motion pictures which collectively earned more than $7.1 billion in box office receipts, as well as 240 television episodes.   Revolution recently produced xXx: Return of Xander Cage, as well as 46 of the motion pictures in its library, including Maid in Manhattan, Anger Management, Daddy Day Care, America’s Sweethearts, Hellboy, xXx, White Chicks and the Academy Award®-winning Black Hawk Down.  More recently, Revolution has acquired 80 movies through library acquisitions, including those of Morgan Creek International, Cold Spring Pictures and GK Films.  Originally founded by Joe Roth in 2000, the company was acquired by Content Partners in 2017

Vin Diesel / One Race Films And The H Collective Acquire Rights to "xXx" Franchise From Revolution Studios