Shebnem Askin

Source: TIFFCOM

Shebnem Askin

Sony Pictures International Productions (SPIP) is exploring the potential for live-action remakes of Japanese anime IP and is also seeking action comedies.

Shebnem Askin, executive vice president of creative production and head of SPIP, discussed the ambitious local production strategy for the division at TIFFCOM in Tokyo on Thursday (October 30).

Asked if SPIP would consider adapting animated IP as live-action features, she said: “Our one adaptation from manga to live action is [Japanese film series] Kingdom. Here, I’m taking many great meetings with a lot of companies that are producing incredible stories with anime. So we are starting to look at different anime movies where we can hopefully adapt as live action movies around the world. This is one of our missions at TIFFCOM this year.”

Askin also said she was “looking for action comedies right now, which are really tough to find”.

SPIP has scored success with local productions in key territories around the world including Japan, South Korea, China, India, Thailand, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Brazil and Mexico.

These include Mamoru Hosoda’s Japanese anime Scarlet, which premiered at Venice and is set for a local release in November; German franchise The Three Investigators, which will see a third instalment open at the end of January 2026; Japanese film series Kingdom; and South Korean historical drama Hijack 1971.

“Often local movies around the world can gross as high at the box office as big commercial Hollywood movies,” said Askin. “We select and partner with local producers and talent. We don’t only think local, but we become local in each and every territory.”

She also highlighted SPIP’s work with IP, producing remakes in various countries. These include 50 First Dates, of which the US romantic comedy was first remade in Japan, with a Thai version now in production.

There have also been remakes of Friends With Benefits in Brazil; Death At A Funeral in Spain; Maktub in Mexico; and 10 Days Without Mum, which began as an Argentine comedy before being developed as There Is Only One Father (Padre No Hay Mas Que Un), which has spawned a five-film franchise to date. A Mexican version of 1996 Japanese romantic comedy Shall We Dance? is in post-production.

SPIP has delivered 11 direct-to-streaming movies for Amazon Prime, Netflix and HBO Max over the past three years, including Argentina’s The Heart Knows and Netflix Italy originals The Price Of Family and sequel The Price of Nonna’s Inheritance.

However, asked what influence platforms have on SPIP’s production strategy, Askin said: “We are a theatrical studio so our number one mission is to make theatrical movies. Aside from [anime streamer] Crunchyroll, we do not have a direct-to-streaming platform, so we are not in competition with Amazon, Netflix, with anyone. We see all of them as potential partners, not only for original movies, but also for theatrical movies.

“When you have a great SVOD deal in Italy with Amazon, it also allows you to be able to make more Italian movies. But even in our conversations with streamers, what they really expect from us is to make great theatrical movies that deliver box office. So they complement each other.”

TIFFCOM, the affiliate market of Tokyo International Film Festival, concludes on Friday (October 31).

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