Chinese media mogul Bruno Wu’s Seven Stars Entertainment has launched a joint venture with French producer Pierre-Ange Le Pogam (Grace of Monaco, Hitman) and his company Stone Angels. The venture, to be called Angel Storm, will develop and co-produce European-Chinese action films and franchises.
The companies say their first collaboration will be a project called Shanghai, which will start production early next year, followed by a feature titled Triangle. No additional details have yet been announced about the films.
The companies say Le Pogam and Wu will both serve as producers on the projects under the Angel Storm banner, with Stone Angels handling distribution rights in France and Seven Stars handling Chinese distribution.
“Pierre-Ange is a very versatile filmmaker and executive, whether he’s dealing with a mainstream commercial title or an art house film, he understands the global business, and we both share a love for movies,” said Wu. “I believe Angel Storm will deliver franchise actioners to international audiences everywhere.”
Wu and Le Pogam have worked together recently. Wu served as an executive producer on Stone Angels production Grace of Monaco, starring Nicole Kidman as Grace Kelly and due out in December.
“This partnership is a great opportunity for Stone Angels,” said Le Pogam. “With Bruno, we share a passion for quality, and a real vision for commercial concepts. This is really exciting to discover the possibilities of developing and shooting these first two movies, in Europe and in China.”
The Angel Storm alliance was negotiated by Fred Milstein, CEO of Seven Stars Entertainment, on behalf of the company.
Wu’s Seven Stars is making a strong debut at Cannes this year, with three of its films in the selection: James Gray’s The Immigrant (which Wu executive produced); Nicolas Winding Refn’s Only God Forgives, starring Ryan Gosling; and Guillaume Canet’s Blood Ties. Seven Stars holds the Chinese distribution rights to all three titles.
Le Pogam founded Stone Angels in 2011 after leaving EuropaCorp, which he co-founded with Luc Besson in 2000. At EuropaCorp, he steered several successful international franchise titles, including Taken, Transporter and Kiss of the Dragon.