Amazon has led a 20 million Series A extension investment round into animated celebrity and toy studio Superplastic.
In addition to the funding, Amazon Studios announced a first-look deal with Superplastic, and the two parties are currently in development on The Janky & Guggimon show, which features two existing synthetic celebrities made by Superplastic. The two characters, Janky and Guggimon, described as, “the loveable idiot who spends his spare time scamming celebrities” and “a fashion icon and master manipulator who’s too narcissistic to care,” respectively, ” are already known within the Superplastic universe.
The first-look deal will also include the creation of additional series and films with Superplastic characters. The Vermont-based studio creates animated celebs, vinyl toys and digital collectibles for use on social media, in music, games, web3, live experiences and more.
“Superplastic’s universe of synthetic celebrities have earned a cult following in every medium they’ve touched,” said Superplastic founder and CEO Paul Budnitz.
In addition to the funding, Amazon Studios announced a first-look deal with Superplastic, and the two parties are currently in development on The Janky & Guggimon show, which features two existing synthetic celebrities made by Superplastic. The two characters, Janky and Guggimon, described as, “the loveable idiot who spends his spare time scamming celebrities” and “a fashion icon and master manipulator who’s too narcissistic to care,” respectively, ” are already known within the Superplastic universe.
The first-look deal will also include the creation of additional series and films with Superplastic characters. The Vermont-based studio creates animated celebs, vinyl toys and digital collectibles for use on social media, in music, games, web3, live experiences and more.
“Superplastic’s universe of synthetic celebrities have earned a cult following in every medium they’ve touched,” said Superplastic founder and CEO Paul Budnitz.
- 2/15/2023
- by Caitlin Huston
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
A pair of virtual celebrities — the “lazy and spectacularly incompetent” Janky and Guggimon — could be starring in Amazon’s next Prime Video original series.
Amazon announced that it is leading a 20 million investment round in character-design studio and art toy maker Superplastic, and alongside the funding Amazon Studios signed a first-look TV and film pact with Superplastic.
Under the first-look deal, Amazon Studios currently is in early development on “The Janky & Guggimon Show,” featuring Superplastic’s two most famous synthetic celebrities. Per the companies, the show follows the adventures of “two lazy and spectacularly incompetent best friends who are hell-bent on getting rich and famous but leave a trail of chaos and destruction in their wake.”
The cat-like Janky is described as a “lovable idiot who spends his spare time scamming celebrities,” while the rabbit-esque Guggimon (who displays disturbingly sharp teeth) is a “fashion icon and master manipulator who’s too narcissistic to care.
Amazon announced that it is leading a 20 million investment round in character-design studio and art toy maker Superplastic, and alongside the funding Amazon Studios signed a first-look TV and film pact with Superplastic.
Under the first-look deal, Amazon Studios currently is in early development on “The Janky & Guggimon Show,” featuring Superplastic’s two most famous synthetic celebrities. Per the companies, the show follows the adventures of “two lazy and spectacularly incompetent best friends who are hell-bent on getting rich and famous but leave a trail of chaos and destruction in their wake.”
The cat-like Janky is described as a “lovable idiot who spends his spare time scamming celebrities,” while the rabbit-esque Guggimon (who displays disturbingly sharp teeth) is a “fashion icon and master manipulator who’s too narcissistic to care.
- 2/15/2023
- by Todd Spangler
- Variety Film + TV
As part of a new first look deal with Amazon Studios, character design studio Superplastic is developing a series starring two synthetic celebrities from their canon.
“The Janky & Guggimon Show” follows the adventures of two lazy and spectacularly incompetent best friends who are hell-bent on getting rich and famous but leave a trail of chaos and destruction in their wake. The first half of the endearing duo is Janky, a loveable idiot who spends his spare time scamming celebrities, and the second is Guggimon, a fashion icon and master manipulator who’s too narcissistic to care.
Each episode features a cast of animated and human celebrity friends. If ordered to series, it will be available to stream exclusively on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.
Also Read:
Spider-Man Noir Live-Action TV Series in the Works at Amazon
The development of “The Janky & Guggimon Show” comes as Superplastic...
“The Janky & Guggimon Show” follows the adventures of two lazy and spectacularly incompetent best friends who are hell-bent on getting rich and famous but leave a trail of chaos and destruction in their wake. The first half of the endearing duo is Janky, a loveable idiot who spends his spare time scamming celebrities, and the second is Guggimon, a fashion icon and master manipulator who’s too narcissistic to care.
Each episode features a cast of animated and human celebrity friends. If ordered to series, it will be available to stream exclusively on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.
Also Read:
Spider-Man Noir Live-Action TV Series in the Works at Amazon
The development of “The Janky & Guggimon Show” comes as Superplastic...
- 2/15/2023
- by Lucas Manfredi
- The Wrap
In 1967’s The Graduate, Dustin Hoffman’s fresh out of college Benjamin Braddock is told the future is in plastics. In 2023, Amazon is taking some of that advice to heart and betting some of its future on Superplastic.
To be specific, that wager on the snarling character design company is taking the form of a 20 million investment round via the House of Bezos’ Alexa Fund. Additionally, the Paul Budnitz and Huck Gee formed Superplastic have inked a first-look development deal with Amazon Studios to bring their saucy street level characters to the streaming screen.
To that end and drawing from some of Superplastic’s Og synthetic celebrities, The Janky & Guggimon Show is already in development at Amazon.
Beyond promising that “each episode features a cast of animated and human celebrity friends” and will stream exclusively on Amazon Prime if picked up to series, the studio has nothing more to say...
To be specific, that wager on the snarling character design company is taking the form of a 20 million investment round via the House of Bezos’ Alexa Fund. Additionally, the Paul Budnitz and Huck Gee formed Superplastic have inked a first-look development deal with Amazon Studios to bring their saucy street level characters to the streaming screen.
To that end and drawing from some of Superplastic’s Og synthetic celebrities, The Janky & Guggimon Show is already in development at Amazon.
Beyond promising that “each episode features a cast of animated and human celebrity friends” and will stream exclusively on Amazon Prime if picked up to series, the studio has nothing more to say...
- 2/15/2023
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
In terms of baseline quality, the Seventies is probably the most consistent Doctor Who has been until the 21st Century. There’s a classic story in nearly every season, and fondly-thought-of stories throughout. The long-list for this one was very long, the certainty of not including someone’s favourite even more certain than usual.
Producer Barry Letts and Script Editor Terrance Dicks took a show with the potential for cancellation and moved it from Quatermass homage to the cosiest of nightmare fuel: a family show on and off-screen with the reassuringly haughty Jon Pertwee ruffling hearts and minds at the head of a regular ensemble cast.
After five seasons the family was breaking up, and the show was revitalised by incoming Producer Philip Hinchcliffe and Script Editor Robert Holmes. Aiming at an older audience (Holmes in The Daily Express in 1977: ‘I wouldn’t let any child under ten see...
Producer Barry Letts and Script Editor Terrance Dicks took a show with the potential for cancellation and moved it from Quatermass homage to the cosiest of nightmare fuel: a family show on and off-screen with the reassuringly haughty Jon Pertwee ruffling hearts and minds at the head of a regular ensemble cast.
After five seasons the family was breaking up, and the show was revitalised by incoming Producer Philip Hinchcliffe and Script Editor Robert Holmes. Aiming at an older audience (Holmes in The Daily Express in 1977: ‘I wouldn’t let any child under ten see...
- 11/27/2022
- by Louisa Mellor
- Den of Geek
S.W.A.T. once again goes international, with the LAPD unit traveling to Thailand in the first two episodes of Season 6, and TV Insider has an exclusive look behind the scenes with the cast. As the new season begins on October 7, Thai S.W.A.T. will be showing LAPD S.W.A.T. some new skills and how they get things done in Thailand. “The lights, the culture, the streets, it’s very cool,” Shemar Moore (Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson) says of being in Bangkok in the video. “To be on a show that is actually traveling around the world — we’ve gone to Mexico twice. We’ve gone to Tokyo, Japan. And now here we are in Thailand. I just keep pinching myself because it keeps getting bigger and better.” Filming in Thailand makes it “basically a Thai production,” according to executive producer Paul Bernard. “The production value is insane. I can’t tell...
- 10/5/2022
- TV Insider
In a big win for non-binary representation in entertainment, the dramatic independent film “Under My Skin” will make its world premiere at London’s Raindance Film Festival on Oct. 29.
Liv Hewson stars as Denny, a free-spirited artist, who falls for a straight-laced, corporate lawyer named Ryan, played by Alex Russell; but the young romance is tested when Denny begins to explore their gender identity. Though the film has yet to debut, Hewson is nominated for Best Performance at the fest for their role.
Alexis Denisof also stars in the movie, which marks the feature debut of Australian writer-director David O’Donnell. The film is produced by Raynen O’Keefe and Russell. Executive producers are Paul Nelson, Paul Bernard, Tim Larson and Mary Larson.
“This is a complex love story for our generation,” O’Donnell says of the film. “Given our film centers on a gender non-conforming lead, it was a natural choice...
Liv Hewson stars as Denny, a free-spirited artist, who falls for a straight-laced, corporate lawyer named Ryan, played by Alex Russell; but the young romance is tested when Denny begins to explore their gender identity. Though the film has yet to debut, Hewson is nominated for Best Performance at the fest for their role.
Alexis Denisof also stars in the movie, which marks the feature debut of Australian writer-director David O’Donnell. The film is produced by Raynen O’Keefe and Russell. Executive producers are Paul Nelson, Paul Bernard, Tim Larson and Mary Larson.
“This is a complex love story for our generation,” O’Donnell says of the film. “Given our film centers on a gender non-conforming lead, it was a natural choice...
- 10/9/2020
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
TNT‘s upcoming Mob City (Dec. 4) has released new key art, and basically the show is laying its cards on the table… do with that what you will. It’s a show that builds in as much audience as it might hope for just by putting Frank Darabont on display, and it even throws in some actors from The Walking Dead for good measure.
Of course, it also has the mob, Ed Burns, and takes place in the ’40s (period is popular).
But, just in case that isn’t enough… well, it has this poster.
Mob City Trailer
The epic battle between a determined police chief and a dangerous mobster inflames 1940s Los Angeles in TNT‘s eagerly anticipated television event Mob City. This powerful drama comes to TNT from Frank Darabont (The Walking Dead), who wrote and directed the pilot and serves as executive producer on the series.
Mob City...
Of course, it also has the mob, Ed Burns, and takes place in the ’40s (period is popular).
But, just in case that isn’t enough… well, it has this poster.
Mob City Trailer
The epic battle between a determined police chief and a dangerous mobster inflames 1940s Los Angeles in TNT‘s eagerly anticipated television event Mob City. This powerful drama comes to TNT from Frank Darabont (The Walking Dead), who wrote and directed the pilot and serves as executive producer on the series.
Mob City...
- 9/9/2013
- by Marc Eastman
- AreYouScreening.com
Fans of quality television are getting their fix from cable networks these days, and TNT has another effort that it hopes is going to soar, Mob City. From Frank Darabont, and missing no opportunities to promote the connection to The Walking Dead, Mob City is based on the book L.A. Noir: The Struggle for the Soul of America’s Most Seductive City.
I suppose there are only so many stories, but even with enough mob shows coming down the pike in recent years, there’s something about a period drama that sells. This one looks solid, even if I don’t think the trailer puts together the best 90 seconds of convincing me to tune in. Let me know if you think differently.
Whether this quick promo is the best you’ve seen or not, this is going to be one of the shows to watch, and at the very...
I suppose there are only so many stories, but even with enough mob shows coming down the pike in recent years, there’s something about a period drama that sells. This one looks solid, even if I don’t think the trailer puts together the best 90 seconds of convincing me to tune in. Let me know if you think differently.
Whether this quick promo is the best you’ve seen or not, this is going to be one of the shows to watch, and at the very...
- 8/14/2013
- by Marc Eastman
- AreYouScreening.com
“We are still coming to terms with Robert Bresson, and the peculiar power and beauty of his films,” Martin Scorsese said in the 2010 book “A Passion For Film,” describing the often overlooked French filmmaker as “one of the cinema’s greatest artists.”
But while he may be revered by some as the finest French filmmaker bar Jean Renoir, outside hardcore cinephile circles he and his films are virtually unknown (perhaps regarded as too opaque or nebulous). Just consider the fact that almost every definitive book on the elusive director was published during the aughts to feel the full truth of Scorsese's statement about how we're still in the process of appreciating and understanding his life and work. Even Bresson’s actual birthdate is contested, adding further the ambiguities surrounding the director.
“Make visible what, without you, might perhaps never have been seen,” the meticulous Bresson once famously said, hinting at...
But while he may be revered by some as the finest French filmmaker bar Jean Renoir, outside hardcore cinephile circles he and his films are virtually unknown (perhaps regarded as too opaque or nebulous). Just consider the fact that almost every definitive book on the elusive director was published during the aughts to feel the full truth of Scorsese's statement about how we're still in the process of appreciating and understanding his life and work. Even Bresson’s actual birthdate is contested, adding further the ambiguities surrounding the director.
“Make visible what, without you, might perhaps never have been seen,” the meticulous Bresson once famously said, hinting at...
- 4/18/2012
- by The Playlist
- The Playlist
Robert Baruc, President of Screen Media Films, announced today that Screen Media has acquired North American rights for John Gray’s White Irish Drinkers, a gritty coming of age story about working-class Brooklyn brothers, whose involvement in a risky crime may be their only escape from their volatile Irish family.
The film stars newcomers Nick Thurston, Geoff Wigdor and Leslie Murphy, alongside veterans Stephen Lang, Karen Allen, and Peter Riegert. The film premiered at the 2010 Toronto International Film Festival and won the Audience Award at the 2010 Woodstock Film Festival, and was just nominated for the Gotham Genius Award. Screen Media will release the film theatrically in Spring 2011.
It’s early autumn of 1975 in Brooklyn and 18 year-old Brian Leary (Nick Thurston) is killing time, pulling off petty crimes with his street tough older brother Danny (Geoff Wigdor), whom he both idolizes and fears. They both live with their parents, Paddy (Stephen Lang), a longshoreman,...
The film stars newcomers Nick Thurston, Geoff Wigdor and Leslie Murphy, alongside veterans Stephen Lang, Karen Allen, and Peter Riegert. The film premiered at the 2010 Toronto International Film Festival and won the Audience Award at the 2010 Woodstock Film Festival, and was just nominated for the Gotham Genius Award. Screen Media will release the film theatrically in Spring 2011.
It’s early autumn of 1975 in Brooklyn and 18 year-old Brian Leary (Nick Thurston) is killing time, pulling off petty crimes with his street tough older brother Danny (Geoff Wigdor), whom he both idolizes and fears. They both live with their parents, Paddy (Stephen Lang), a longshoreman,...
- 11/10/2010
- by Allan Ford
- Filmofilia
Another worthy independent film that premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival has found distribution. Screen Media Films has acquired North American rights to White Irish Drinkers, a hard-edged coming of age story set in 1975 Brooklyn. written and directed by John Gray. A spring 2011 theatrical release is planned. Two teenage brothers try to figure out what to do with their lives, each badly bruised from being raised to be terrified by the drunken rages of their father. That role is played by Avatar's Stephen Lang who plays a hard-drinking Irish blue collar worker handing down the lessons of becoming a man that he learned from his father: repress emotion, and rule with an iron fist. One brother is an art prodigy conflicted about showing his talent, and the other is creeping into the fringes of being a criminal. The drama centers around a deal to have the Rolling Stones...
- 11/10/2010
- by MIKE FLEMING
- Deadline
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