eOne Studio to Develop Series Based on Osamu Tezuka's BLACK JACK

Leading independent studio, Entertainment One (eOne) announced today it acquired the rights to develop a television series based on the popular Japanese manga, BLACK JACK, from the legendary creator, Osamu Tezuka (Astro Boy, Kimba the White Lion). The television spec pitch was brought to eOne by Marty Scott & Toni Kotite.

Considered by many as the Japanese equivalent to Walt Disney and the Godfather of Anime, Osamu Tezuka is a legendary cartoonist, manga artist and animator. His manga, BLACK JACK, has sold over 50 million copies in Japan, and has been published and translated in dozens of countries around the world.

BLACK JACK is an action adventure story chronicling the emotional journey of the world's greatest detective-doctor, an unorthodox and sometimes questionable hero known as Black Jack, who is currently in the "employ" of a government special-ops team that investigates and fights mysterious biological and terrorist threats against the United States. Black Jack is a man with many secrets, and our only hope of battling a global conspiracy bent on changing the genetic future of mankind.

Produced by eOne, the series will be executive produced by Taka Ichise and Doug Davison, who partnered on feature adaptations of Japanese properties The Ring and The Grudge. Dave Brown and Zadoc Angell of Artist International who packaged the project will also executive produce. Michael Rosenberg, Jen Chambers and Adam Blumberg will oversee the show on behalf of eOne. eOne will handle worldwide rights to the series in all media.

Scott & Kotite most recently sold their spec pilot Cannon Fire to FBC / 20th Century Fox and penned a feature for Overbrook Films. They are represented by Artist International, Paradigm, and attorney Dave Feldman.

eOne together with Scott, Kotite and the creative team will be pitching the series to U.S. broadcasters and cable networks in Los Angeles.

eOne's current scripted series include Rookie Blue on ABC and Shaw, Call Me Fitz on DIRECTV and HBO Canada, preschool-phenom Peppa Pig on Nick Jr., The Walking Dead on AMC, Hell on Wheels on AMC, Saving Hope on NBC and CTV and the upcoming suspense-drama starring Thandie Newton Rogue on DIRECTV, The Movie Network and Movie Central.

Through strong relationships with broadcasters and content providers, eOne Television International has successfully sold eOne's original and third-party productions to over 500 broadcasters in 150 countries, including the major US networks and international pay TV channels.

Entertainment One Ltd. (LSE:ETO) is a leading international entertainment company that specializes in the acquisition, production and distribution of film and television content. The company's comprehensive network extends around the globe including Canada, the U.S., the UK, Ireland, Benelux, France, Germany, Scandinavia, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. Through established Entertainment and Distribution divisions, the company provides extensive expertise in film distribution, television and music production, family programming and merchandising and licensing. Its current rights library is exploited across all media formats and includes more than 24,000 film and television titles, 2,700 hours of television programming and 45,000 music tracks. http://www.entertainmentonegroup.com/