The Weinstein Bros, something called the Gotham Group, and a bunch of Koreans...

The Weinstein Company, The Gotham Group and the Chungcheongnam-do provincial government of South Korea are teaming up to produce and distribute animated feature films. The projects will involve talent represented by the Gotham Group (as well as others) and will use the state of the art animation facilities at The Media Center of Chungcheongnam-do. All three partners will act as co-producers and Weinstein Company will handle world-wide distribution, with some support from the Chungcheongnam-do government in certain Asian markets.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the movies will be computer generated and the scope of the deal assumes production of six to ten films with budgets in the $40 million range for theatrical release.

As part of the deal, Weinstein has a first-look option for with The Gotham Group, which manages animation and family entertainment talent and content.

There was a story a while back where it was listed as the Korean Government was going to allocate a substantial amount of cash to grow their animation industry, simply not being content with being cheap animation labor for the rest of the world. So I'd have to say I am finally happy to see, what I assume, something that is a result of that. Even moreso that the films themselves will reach a global market.

Those of you who've seen true Asian cinema, not the shit they show on Saturday Morning cartoons. It can be really magical, and engaging pieces of cinema. Examples? Spirited Away, Grave of the Fireflies, Ghost in the Shell, Fist of the North Star (not the TV Series, but the original animated feature from the 80's), Akira, that's just a few animated pics. But then you got: The Promise, House of Flying Daggers, I'll put Natural City on the list... though it was weird... like Korean Soap Opera weird... trust me that's weird...

I could go on and on... safe to say I am definitely excited about the possibilities. Truly I think there is a misconception for Asian Cinema being low-budget "Ultraman" type fare. But really, so much more. So definitely excited, and you should be too... if you know what's good for you.