Rakuten Invests in xXx 4 and Brightburn Through Partnership with The H Collective

Rakuten, Inc., a global leader in internet services headquartered in Tokyo announced that has invested in motion pictures xXx 4 and Brightburn through a partnership with The H Collective, a global film finance, production, marketing and distribution company.

Under the investment agreement, Rakuten has provided financing to Brightburn, The H Collective’s first globally released feature film starring Elizabeth Banks and produced by James Gunn (Guardians of the Galaxy). The film will be released on May 24 in the United States. In addition, Rakuten will provide financing for the fourth installment of the xXx franchise, directed by D.J. Caruso starring Vin Diesel who will reprise his role of Xander Cage.

“This is the next step for Rakuten to empower the entertainment industry through strategic investment,” said Mickey Mikitani, CEO of Rakuten. “I’m very excited to collaborate with The H Collective and look forward to growing our partnership to invest in international cinema and bring more great international films to Japan.”

Rakuten and The H Collective will also establish a joint venture to distribute motion pictures in Japan. The joint venture will support the release of Brightburn and distribute xXx 4 as well as the animated film, Spycies, in Japan.  Directed by Guillaume Ivernel (Dragon Hunters), The H Collective invested in Spycies, which was produced by Chinese entertainment giant and frequent collaborator, iQiyi. 

“I couldn’t be happier to be strengthening our relationships in Asia by partnering with Rakuten – which is one of the most exciting companies in the world,” said Nic Crawley, CEO of The H Collective. “Having Rakuten invest in Brightburn, our first global release and xXx 4, is a sign of their commitment to film investments. Japan is a fantastic market, ripe with distribution opportunities given the rising quantity of cinema admissions. These are just the first steps in our new business relationship.”

ABOUT THE H COLLECTIVE

Launched in 2017, and with offices in Los Angeles, The H Collective is a global film finance, production, marketing and distribution company that is producing and financing a diversified slate of high-quality films with strong Franchise IP potential.  The slate includes Brightburn starring Elizabeth Banks which Sony will release on May 24^th and Christopher Cantwell’s thriller The Parts You Lose starring Aaron Paul. The H Collective acquired the rights to Aaron W. Sala’s horror thriller spec The Beast which will be directed by Christine Crokos and will produce the fourth installment of the xXx franchise starring Vin Diesel. For further information, visit: www.thehcollectivefilms.com.

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