Darren Jason Watkins Jr (aka IShowSpeed) Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images for OBB Media - FANATICS STUDIOS Former Paramount co-CEO Brian Robbins has lined up his first original project at Big Shot Pictures.
The nascent studio is developing an anime series based on the popular YouTube creator and streamer IShowSpeed. One Piece showrunner Matt Owens will create and write the series, which will star an animated version of the creator (whose real name is Darren Jason Watkins Jr). The company will be taking the package to market in the coming months.
The project will sit at the intersection of the creator economy, family-friendly programming and the red-hot anime genre, which numerous studios are exploring. Speed is known primarily for his sports, sports-adjacent and gaming content.
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“I’ve always loved anime, so being able to create something like this is a dream come true for me,” said IShowSpeed. “The team behind this project is incredibly talented, and I can’t wait for my fans around the world to see what we’re building together.”
“Speed is a one-of-a-kind creative force whose ability to connect with audiences transcends borders and platforms,” added Brian Robbins. “As a performer, he’s built a truly global fanbase, and we’re excited to help bring his voice and vision to life in a completely new way through this series.”
Big Shot Pictures launched last year, backed by around $100 million in venture funding, including from anime giant Sony Pictures, Greycroft, MarcyPen Capital Partners, ValueAct Capital, and CAA. Concurrent with the launch, Big Shot acquired the rights to the children’s book series Eloise at the Plaza, created by Kay Thompson and illustrated by Hilary Knight, with Big Shot planning to “reimagine and expand the Eloise franchise.”
IShowSpeed is repped by CAA. Matt Owens is repped by CAA, Circle Management + Production, and Johnson Shapiro Slewett & Kole.
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