Neon has acquired North American rights to writer-director Bong Joon Ho’s debut animated feature film, ally.
The South Korean director returns to Neon after the film’s release parasiteWhich won four Oscars, including Best Picture. ally It is scheduled to be completed in the first half of 2027, with Neon giving the film a wide theatrical release across North America later next year.
In business since 2019, ally It marks Bong’s first foray into 3D animation. He co-wrote the script with 36-year-old director Jason Yu, a student who directed the well-received Korean horror film. He sleeps From 2023.
Bong has collaborated with young screenwriters before, most notably former production assistant Han Jin-won, with whom he co-wrote his 2019 Oscar-winning film. parasite.
ally He will portray a curious and lovable little squid in the South Pacific who dreams of seeing the sun and becoming the star of a wildlife documentary. But when a mysterious plane goes down in the ocean, Ally’s peaceful world is suddenly put in danger and she is thrust into a journey with real sea creatures as the film explores themes of friendship and courage.
The family adventure film is being financed and distributed by CJ ENM, Venture Invest and Pathé, with Barunson C&C overseeing production. Seo Woo Sik is producing ally, Marking his third collaboration with Bong then the mom and Okja.
Pathé will handle distribution ally in France, Benelux, Switzerland and West Africa, while CJ and Penture will be distributed in South Korea, Vietnam, Turkey and Indonesia. Pathé represents international sales, excluding Japan, China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, where CJ and Penture handle sales.
Neon’s senior vice president of acquisitions, Sarah Colvin, negotiated the deal with WME on behalf of the filmmakers.
Bong Joon Ho’s credits include Snow Superhero, Murder Memories, Host, Okja, Mother And recently Mickey 17.
