Usagi Yojimbo MOVIE UPDATE
Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2016 10:43 -0700
Hi all,
I just wanted to submit this post expressing my gratitude for the constant support you've all provided with all of my Usagi Yojimbo projects. As a fan, I've always dreamed of taking on these projects and I feel extremely fortunate for having had the opportunity to bring Usagi to life - first, with the RokuToys "Usagi Yojimbo" statues; second, with the creation of the "Usagi Yojimbo - The Last Request" stop-motion short film.
With regards to the statues, I never planned to start a small toy company in order to create my own statues. I simply wanted to purchase some quality Usagi Yojimbo figurines and toys. However, I was always disappointed by the quality of the Usagi Yojimbo merchandise available in the market. Consequently, I created a maquette which I felt captured the look and feel of Usagi. After creating a final version of the first Usagi maquette, I presented it to Stan who provided me with his overwhelming approval to move forward with obtaining the license that would allow me to create a series of Usagi Yojimbo statues. It was from these beginnings that I created RokuToys as a company with the primary goal of producing a line of high quality Usagi Yojimbo statues and related collectibles.
The Usagi community provided extremely positive feedback for the Usagi Yojimbo "Series One" and "Series Two" sets of statues. As a result, I made plans to create a "Series Three" collection of statues. In addition, I spoke with Sergio Aragones to create a high-end line of "Groo the Wanderer" statues. Unfortunately, the profits from the RokuToys endeavors were, at best, slim. Proceeding with another round of manufacturing a completely new series of statues required an even more significant capital investment and RokuToys was strapped for funds and workforce resources. Without additional exposure of Usagi Yojimbo via a film or some other visual medium that would provide much-needed exposure to a broader audience, it became readily apparent that only the small community of die-hard Usagi fans would be making purchases and that obtaining the much needed financial support to fund another mass production run of statues would no longer be feasible.
As an Usagi Yojimbo fan since 1984, I'd been waiting for the creation of a captivating film. The handful of Usagi appearances on a handful of TV programs were entertaining enough. However, I never really felt that these depictions of Usagi captured the true essence of Stan's work with the comic book series.
Having worked in the film industry with luminaries such as George Lucas and Robert Zemeckis, I felt that I had the requisite experience to take a shot at obtaining the rights to make an Usagi Yojimbo movie. As an independent filmmaker, it was a daunting challenge to obtain these rights. For years I followed up with Stan's representative in these matters and I found no success. Despite the numerous rejections to my requests, I decided to move forward with a plan to create something that wold support my request to create a full-feature film.
With Stan's approval, I recruited film industry colleagues, college interns, and even family members to create and direct a proof-of-concept, stop-motion film. The decision to use the stop-motion format was primarily driven by my desire to create a film that was a tribute to my fondness for stop-motion films such as "Nightmare Before Christmas" and stop-motion programs such as the Rankin Bass Christmas specials. With a shoestring budget and the sweat equity provided by myself and ragtag crew of seasoned film veterans, helpful interns, and supportive family members, we managed to create a stop-motion film that met with Stan's approval.
After creating the proof-of-concept, stop-motion film and presenting it at San Diego Comic Con, I was able to obtain the rights to produce a full-length feature film. Within a few weeks of debuting the film, I received offers from various studios and major producers. Given that it would be difficult to find a backer/partner who shared my ideas and vision for Usagi Yojimbo, I decided to "hold out" and not accept offers from the early studios that expressed interest in making an animated film.
From a personal standpoint, I wanted to create a film that depicted Stan's stories with the grit and feel of an Akira Kurosawa film set during the feudal period of Japanese history. I am not a screenwriter by trade but I put forth my best efforts to transferring my ideas to paper and working with a handful of co-writers. Unfortunately, we ran into several setbacks due to my co-writers work and project schedules. Despite these setbacks, I plowed through numerous "writer's block" sessions and, after several months, I finally had a script that I could present to Stan.
During the Thanksgiving timeframe last year, Stan approved of the script. However, I mentioned to him that I would not be able to start anything until after the holidays. Unfortunately, my contract expired at the end of the year and it was not renewed. Despite this fact, Stan and his representative encouraged me to move forward with efforts to obtain funding for production of a full-length feature film.
Earlier this year, during the February time-frame, I found a studio that was willing to provide 100% support of my vision to create a full-length feature film. After speaking with them, another studio called to let me know that they wanted to invest up to $30 million for the project as well. I presented these offers to Stan's agent but, after numerous emails, we could not come to an agreement as he wanted to "go in a different direction."
With that said, I found it very difficult to end the pursuit with the knowledge that I had a great team lined up to help create a full-length feature film. I envisioned the fight choreography and SFX to be of the highest quality given that I had plans to bring on writers that could enhance and even re-write major portions of the preliminary script that I submitted. The full story I wanted to tell would have been a fun, action-packed CG animated film capturing the full essence of Stan's stories in the comic book series.
I spent many years trying to bring Usagi to the big screen. When I thought the opportunity to do so was within my grasp, circumstances beyond my control prevented me from moving forward. I'm saddened to see my vision not come to fruition but I want you all to know that I gave it a valiant effort. Nonetheless, it's been an interesting journey and quite an experience.
Thank you Usagi fans and especially to Stan for his support throughout the process. Good luck and I look forward to see what the future holds for Usagi.
Happy Holidays.
Roel
I just wanted to submit this post expressing my gratitude for the constant support you've all provided with all of my Usagi Yojimbo projects. As a fan, I've always dreamed of taking on these projects and I feel extremely fortunate for having had the opportunity to bring Usagi to life - first, with the RokuToys "Usagi Yojimbo" statues; second, with the creation of the "Usagi Yojimbo - The Last Request" stop-motion short film.
With regards to the statues, I never planned to start a small toy company in order to create my own statues. I simply wanted to purchase some quality Usagi Yojimbo figurines and toys. However, I was always disappointed by the quality of the Usagi Yojimbo merchandise available in the market. Consequently, I created a maquette which I felt captured the look and feel of Usagi. After creating a final version of the first Usagi maquette, I presented it to Stan who provided me with his overwhelming approval to move forward with obtaining the license that would allow me to create a series of Usagi Yojimbo statues. It was from these beginnings that I created RokuToys as a company with the primary goal of producing a line of high quality Usagi Yojimbo statues and related collectibles.
The Usagi community provided extremely positive feedback for the Usagi Yojimbo "Series One" and "Series Two" sets of statues. As a result, I made plans to create a "Series Three" collection of statues. In addition, I spoke with Sergio Aragones to create a high-end line of "Groo the Wanderer" statues. Unfortunately, the profits from the RokuToys endeavors were, at best, slim. Proceeding with another round of manufacturing a completely new series of statues required an even more significant capital investment and RokuToys was strapped for funds and workforce resources. Without additional exposure of Usagi Yojimbo via a film or some other visual medium that would provide much-needed exposure to a broader audience, it became readily apparent that only the small community of die-hard Usagi fans would be making purchases and that obtaining the much needed financial support to fund another mass production run of statues would no longer be feasible.
As an Usagi Yojimbo fan since 1984, I'd been waiting for the creation of a captivating film. The handful of Usagi appearances on a handful of TV programs were entertaining enough. However, I never really felt that these depictions of Usagi captured the true essence of Stan's work with the comic book series.
Having worked in the film industry with luminaries such as George Lucas and Robert Zemeckis, I felt that I had the requisite experience to take a shot at obtaining the rights to make an Usagi Yojimbo movie. As an independent filmmaker, it was a daunting challenge to obtain these rights. For years I followed up with Stan's representative in these matters and I found no success. Despite the numerous rejections to my requests, I decided to move forward with a plan to create something that wold support my request to create a full-feature film.
With Stan's approval, I recruited film industry colleagues, college interns, and even family members to create and direct a proof-of-concept, stop-motion film. The decision to use the stop-motion format was primarily driven by my desire to create a film that was a tribute to my fondness for stop-motion films such as "Nightmare Before Christmas" and stop-motion programs such as the Rankin Bass Christmas specials. With a shoestring budget and the sweat equity provided by myself and ragtag crew of seasoned film veterans, helpful interns, and supportive family members, we managed to create a stop-motion film that met with Stan's approval.
After creating the proof-of-concept, stop-motion film and presenting it at San Diego Comic Con, I was able to obtain the rights to produce a full-length feature film. Within a few weeks of debuting the film, I received offers from various studios and major producers. Given that it would be difficult to find a backer/partner who shared my ideas and vision for Usagi Yojimbo, I decided to "hold out" and not accept offers from the early studios that expressed interest in making an animated film.
From a personal standpoint, I wanted to create a film that depicted Stan's stories with the grit and feel of an Akira Kurosawa film set during the feudal period of Japanese history. I am not a screenwriter by trade but I put forth my best efforts to transferring my ideas to paper and working with a handful of co-writers. Unfortunately, we ran into several setbacks due to my co-writers work and project schedules. Despite these setbacks, I plowed through numerous "writer's block" sessions and, after several months, I finally had a script that I could present to Stan.
During the Thanksgiving timeframe last year, Stan approved of the script. However, I mentioned to him that I would not be able to start anything until after the holidays. Unfortunately, my contract expired at the end of the year and it was not renewed. Despite this fact, Stan and his representative encouraged me to move forward with efforts to obtain funding for production of a full-length feature film.
Earlier this year, during the February time-frame, I found a studio that was willing to provide 100% support of my vision to create a full-length feature film. After speaking with them, another studio called to let me know that they wanted to invest up to $30 million for the project as well. I presented these offers to Stan's agent but, after numerous emails, we could not come to an agreement as he wanted to "go in a different direction."
With that said, I found it very difficult to end the pursuit with the knowledge that I had a great team lined up to help create a full-length feature film. I envisioned the fight choreography and SFX to be of the highest quality given that I had plans to bring on writers that could enhance and even re-write major portions of the preliminary script that I submitted. The full story I wanted to tell would have been a fun, action-packed CG animated film capturing the full essence of Stan's stories in the comic book series.
I spent many years trying to bring Usagi to the big screen. When I thought the opportunity to do so was within my grasp, circumstances beyond my control prevented me from moving forward. I'm saddened to see my vision not come to fruition but I want you all to know that I gave it a valiant effort. Nonetheless, it's been an interesting journey and quite an experience.
Thank you Usagi fans and especially to Stan for his support throughout the process. Good luck and I look forward to see what the future holds for Usagi.
Happy Holidays.
Roel
