Primary contents from here.
News Releases 2005
Comic Book Movies and Ishimori group to jointly develop motion picture franchises based on the original properties of Shotaro Ishinomori
November 15, 2005
Ishimori Entertainment Inc., Comic Book Movies, LLC, ITOCHU Corporation, and Lotus Inc. have agreed to jointly develop motion picture franchises based on the original properties of the late Shotaro Ishinomori.
Shotaro Ishinomori (1938-1998) is one of the most famous Manga authors of all time, distinguished by his creations of more than 500 Manga characters. In Japan, his name is as widely recognized as is the name, Walt Disney, in the United States. The parties intend to produce theatrical motion pictures for a worldwide audience, with their initial release as early as 2008. Their agreement extends to DVD's, television, merchandising, and other ancillary markets critical to their franchise-building strategy.
CBM was established in May 2004 by veteran film producer and comic book expert Michael Uslan and financier M. Jonathan Roberts. Uslan is well known in the film and comic book industries as executive producer of the "Batman" franchise films. CBM's mission is to finance the development and production of motion pictures based on classic American comic book and graphic novel properties as well as important Japanese Manga properties. Mr. Uslan, whose outstanding career in Hollywood spans over 29 years, is an Emmy Award winning producer ("Where On Earth Is Carmen Sandiego?") who recently donated over 30,000 comic books from his private collection to Indiana University's prestigious Lilly Library. Under the leadership of Mr. Uslan and Mr. Roberts, CBM will produce movies with A-list and cutting edge directors, screenwriters and acting talent. Comic book-based movies, from 1989's hit "Batman" to this year's hit "Batman Begins", have grown to become over a billion-dollar business at the Box Office, on DVDs, videogames, toys and other merchandising.
![[Photo]](img/news_051115.jpg)
© Ishimori Entertainment
Lotus is CBM's exclusive agent for the procurement and development of existing and original motion picture content from Japan and Asia. Lotus develops original motion picture content in collaboration with Japanese alliance partners and holds the Japanese distribution rights of motion pictures produced by CBM.
On September 1st, 2004, Ishimori Group (Ishimori Shotaro Pro and Ishimori Pro) and Itochu agreed to revitalize the Ishinomori properties by jointly establishing Ishimori Entertainment, Inc. The newly established company's primary objective is to revitalize the late author's works through motion picture production, TV programs and merchandise. The new agreement with CBM establishes an ideal platform to introduce the so-called "Ishinomori World" to a worldwide audience. Itochu will support Ishimori Entertainment as its sole overseas agent and will be responsible for the development of motion picture based Ishinomori merchandise. Ishimori Group, CBM and Itochu intend to further collaborate in an expanded business relationship uniting Hollywood with Japan on the global stage.
In addition to a variety of major consumer related businesses, Itochu is active in the content production business through its major investments in SKY PerfecTV!, Space Shower and Excite. In February 2005, Itochu and Turner Broadcasting System Asia Pacific agreed in principle to co-produce new Japanese animation. Including this special partnership with CBM, Itochu plans to become more actively involved in content production and investment, and anticipates providing unique content to the world through its access to animation series and characters. Itochu also intends to expand its merchandising business in both the Japanese and international markets.
