Home / Arts and Entertainment / Japanese-Brazilian Animator Lands Hello Kitty and Yokai Samba Films
Japanese-Brazilian Animator Lands Hello Kitty and Yokai Samba Films
10 Nov
Summary
- Filmmaker Leo Matsuda signs with Verve for representation
- Hello Kitty movie set for 2028 release, Lindsey Beer writing
- Matsuda to write and direct Yokai Samba for DreamWorks
In a significant move, Japanese-Brazilian filmmaker Leo Matsuda has signed with Verve for representation. Matsuda, who has previously worked on acclaimed Disney Animation projects like Zootopia and Big Hero 6, is currently at the helm of the highly anticipated Hello Kitty movie, set to be released on July 21, 2028.
The details of the Hello Kitty film's plot remain under wraps, but the project is being billed as an animated/live-action hybrid. Screenwriter Lindsey Beer has penned the screenplay, with her Known Universe set to executive produce. Beau Flynn is producing the film through FlynnPictureCo. after spending nearly a decade securing the rights to the global Hello Kitty brand.
Alongside his work on the Hello Kitty movie, Matsuda is also set to write and direct Yokai Samba, an original idea for DreamWorks Animation. Previously, he directed the acclaimed short film Inner Workings, which premiered alongside the Disney animated feature Moana.
