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Netflix plays Monkey business
Posted By Don Groves On 20-04-2017 @ 8:59 am In News | Comments Disabled
Netflix has acquired worldwide SVoD rights excluding Australasia to a historical fantasy adventure that follows a teenage girl and a trio of fallen gods as they attempt to restore balance to their world.
See-Saw Films and Robin Scholes’ Jump Film & TV are producing The Legend of Monkey (10×30’) for Australian pubcaster ABC, Television New Zealand (TVNZ) and Netflix.
The New Zealand/Australian coproduction has secured investment from Screen Australia, Screen NSW, Fulcrum Media Finance and the New Zealand Screen Production Grant.
Shooting has begun in Auckland and on purpose-built sets recreating a fantasy world, with Gerard Johnstone (Housebound, The Jaquie Brown Diaries) as lead director and Craig Irvin also directing.
Based on the 16th century Chinese fable Journey to the West, the scripts are by head writer Jacquelin Perske (Seven Types of Ambiguity, Spirited), Craig Irvin (Nowhere Boys) and Samantha Strauss (Dance Academy).
The cast includes Chai Hansen (Mako Mermaids, The 100) as the warrior Monkey, with Luciane Buchanan (Filthy Rich, Blue Rose) as Tripitaka the priest, Josh Thomson (Terry Teo, 7 Days, The Project) as Pigsy and Emilie Cocquerel (Lion, An Accidental Soldier) as Sandy.
C21 first reported [1] the project when it received funding from Screen NSW late last year.
The show will premiere in 2018. Netflix will have the second window in Australia/New Zealand after the ABC and TVNZ.
Andy Yeatman, director of global kids content at Netflix, said: “We’re thrilled to distribute this world-class local production to young audiences around the world. The legendary Monkey King and his epic journey have mesmerised fans for ages.”
Michael Carrington, head of children’s at ABC TV, said: “Our production partner See-Saw Films is bringing The Legend of Monkey to life through incredible locations and sets, an acclaimed production team and an exciting, diverse young cast.”
See-Saw Films is currently finishing Top of the Lake sequel Top of the Lake – China Girl for BBC2, SundanceTV and Australia’s BBC First and Foxtel.
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[1] reported: https://www.c21media.net/funding-for-monkey-remake/
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