A seasoned pro with three decades of impeccable service under the Warner Bros. banner, Jack Nguyen, alongside his innovative venture Joat Films, has inked a groundbreaking first-look film partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery, specifically tailored for the vibrant Asian markets. Unveiled on Monday, this strategic alliance leverages Nguyen's production prowess through Joat Films, embarking on a journey to reimagine and localize Warner Bros.' cherished English-language film catalog for Asian audiences.
The inaugural project under this transformative agreement promises to be a Korean rendition of the critically acclaimed 2015 comedy-drama, 'The Intern,' marking the first step in a series of cultural adaptations tailored for diverse Asian tastes. Nguyen, a veritable legend within the industry, has spent his illustrious career navigating Warner Bros.' global expansion, particularly in Asia and Latin America, where he spearheaded market entries into China, India, Japan, and Korea, nurturing local-language film endeavors.
His leadership prowess is evident in the success of projects like 'Letters from Iwo Jima,' the beloved 'Rurouni Kenshin' franchise, and 'Yurusarezaru Mono,' a Japanese reimagining of Clint Eastwood's Oscar-winning masterpiece 'Unforgiven.' In Korea, Warner Bros. flourished under Nguyen's guidance, producing blockbusters like 'The Age of Shadows,' Korea's official submission for the Best Foreign Language Film Oscar in 2017, along with 'The Witch' and other box office hits.
Under the new deal's umbrella, Nguyen will curate a slate of Asia-centric film projects for Warner Bros., collaborating with local partners across the Asia Pacific region, including Korea and India, to co-produce works that resonate deeply with regional audiences. Kurt Rieder, Senior Vice President and Head of Theatrical Distribution for WBD in APAC, expressed his confidence in Nguyen's prowess, stating, "Jack's unparalleled insight into the intricacies of film production across Asia makes him a invaluable partner. With a voracious appetite for localized Hollywood remakes in the region, we eagerly anticipate collaborating with Jack to breathe fresh local life into these beloved stories."
Nguyen echoed his excitement, saying, "My unwavering respect and loyalty to Warner Bros. stems from the bulk of my career spent there. It's an honor to be entrusted with their prestigious IP and collaborate with the finest filmmakers in Asia to create high-caliber local-language remakes. Furthermore, I am passionate about uncovering untapped gems among emerging filmmakers and elevating their stories to the world stage. I am thrilled to embark on this exciting new chapter with one of Hollywood's most illustrious studios."
