Last year, Fangoria Studios announced plans to bring some of Junji Ito’s stories to the screen in the form of film adaptations. The first to be announced was Bloodsucking Darkness, with more promised from the pages of the Smashed: Junji Ito Story Collection manga. The latest update has Fangoria Studios teaming up with Through the Lens Entertainment to adapt the aforementioned story and Mystery of the Haunted House Part 1 and Part 2. Producers under Fangoria Studios include Armen Aghaeian, Tara Ansley and Abhi Goel. Junji Ito will also serve as producer along with Yasu Kutami and Tsubasa Yamaguchi of Amuse Group USA, and Aditya Chand and Jay Van Hoy of Through the Lens Entertainment. Indie producer Carlos Aguirre will serve as executive producer.
Here’s what Through the Lens owner and filmmaker Aditya Chand said about the projects:
“Through the Lens Entertainment are thrilled to be working alongside FANGORIA and the legendary Junji Ito on these new films. Having been born in Kobe, Japan, my love for manga and anime runs deep and has a huge significance for me during my upbringing. Working with a visionary manga creator like Junji, alongside a cornerstone platform of horror culture with FANGORIA, pushes the boundaries of what east-west collaboration can achieve in the modern age. Manga adaptation must be adapted in a culturally sensitive way, where there is a balance of Japanese nuance combined with the sensibilities of innovative horror, allowing for a new cinematic experience for enthusiasts and manga fans.
Armen Aghaeian, SVP of Fangoria Studios, added:
“It’s important to recognize the universal appeal of horror stories; there’s no better way to commence our partnership with Through the Lens Entertainment than with the legendary horror author and artist Junji Ito’s stories. After all, everyone screams in the same language.”
VIZ describes Smashed: Junji Ito Story Collection like so:
Try not to be noticed when you eat the secret nectar, otherwise you’ll get smashed… What horrific events happened to create the earthbound—people tied to a certain place for the rest of their short lives? Then, a strange haunted house comes to town, but no one expects it to lead to a real hell… Welcome to Junji Ito’s world, a world with no escape from endless nightmares.
Source: Press Release
