EXCLUSIVE: Japan’s Toei, Thailand’s M Studio and South Korea’s Showbox are joining forces to produce horror feature The Long Hair In The Attic.
Based on a Japanese manga by prominent artist Junji Ito, it will be directed by Thailand’s Sitisiri Mongkolsiri, known for Netflix features Hunger and The Red Line as well as 2019 box office hit Inhuman Kiss, which Thailand submitted to the Oscars.
Development is underway on the feature, which will include extensive visual effects, ahead of shooting in 2027.
The horror manga, first published in 1988, centres on a heartbroken young woman whose obsession with her long hair leads to a gruesome, supernatural revenge.
Director Sitisiri said: “In this adaptation, I want to explore the psychological pressures surrounding beauty and identity, and translate that into a cinematic experience that is both emotionally grounded and visually striking.”
The cross-border collaboration follows a co-production partnership between leading studios Toei and Showbox in November, and a pact between Toei and M Studio in February.
Toei has extensive experience in film and IP-driven production, which includes blockbuster franchises such as Dragon Ball and One Piece. M Studio, launched by Major Cineplex Group in 2023, has quickly become one of Thailand’s biggest production outfits with box-office hits such as the Death Whisperer franchise. Showbox has Yeon Sang-ho’s buzzy horror Colony set to premiere at Cannes and is also known for 2024 blockbuster Exhuma.
“By combining Toei’s expertise in IP development, M Studio’s commercial production capabilities and theatrical network, and Showbox’s strength in financing and international distribution, the partners aim to build a scalable model for cross-border genre filmmaking,” said Toei in a statement.
The collaboration reflects a growing trend of intra-Asian studio partnerships aimed at creating internationally competitive features.
“Junji Ito’s work has a unique global resonance, and this project gives us a rare opportunity to bring that IP to life through a truly cross-border collaboration,” said Shiori Takata of Toei.
“We approached M Studio with the confidence that this story can resonate with audiences across Asia, starting from Thailand and extending throughout the region. Working with M Studio and Showbox – partners with deep market expertise – allows us to approach this adaptation from both a local and global perspective. We believe this kind of partnership is essential in building films that can travel internationally at scale.”
“We’ve always believed that genre films, especially horror, can connect audiences across cultures, and this project is a perfect example of that potential,” said Surachedh Asswaruenganun of M Studio.
“Collaborating with Toei and Showbox brings together complementary strengths – from IP and development to production and distribution – and allows us to push the scale of what we can achieve beyond the Thai market. It’s an exciting step forward for us.”
“What makes this project particularly compelling is the combination of a globally recognized IP and partners who each bring distinct strengths to the table,” said Judy Ahn of Showbox. “Working with Toei and M Studio allows us to build something that is not only creatively strong but also strategically positioned for international audiences. We see this as a meaningful example of how Asian studios can collaborate more.”
Ito is one of Japan’s most prominent manga artists, known for horror such as Tomie and Uzumaki, both of which have been adapted into films in Japan. He is the winner of multiple Eisner Awards, one of the most prestigious awards in the comic industry. Many of his manga have also been adapted as animation productions, including Adult Swim/Toonami’s 2024 Uzumaki miniseries.
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