GKids Acquires French sci-fi “Mars Express”

GKids Acquires French sci-fi “Mars Express”

October 26th, 2023

Jerry Beck

GKIDS, celebrating its 15th anniversary as a distributor of artist-driven animation from around the world, announced today it has acquired the North American distribution rights for the highly anticipated French feature Mars Express. The debut film from Jérémie Perin was an official selection at this year’s Cannes and Annecy film festivals, and has its US Premiere at the upcoming Animation is Film Festival in Los Angeles. Combining 2D and 3D animation, the film is an adrenaline-fueled stylish, smart and futuristic film noir.

Director Jérémie Perin previously served as producer and director on various series, such as “CO2,” “Nini Patalo,” and “Socks,” and most recently wrote and directed the lauded “Lastman” series, based on the French comic of the same name.

GKIDS will release Mars Express theatrically in its original French language and a new English dub in 2024, following a domestic release in France this November. The acquisition marks a new collaboration between GKIDS and Jérémie Perin, following GKIDS’ local distribution of The Rabbi’s Cat, which Perin collaborated on the development of. The deal was negotiated between Rodney Uhler of GKIDS and Olivier Barbier of MK2 Films.

“Mars Express is a film we have been excited about for years, since we saw the very first footage,” said GKIDS president David Jesteadt. “This is a timely and provocative story set in one of the greatest animated sci-fi worlds I’ve seen, and we are thrilled to help bring it to North American audiences.”

“MK2 Films is thrilled to initiate this collaboration with GKIDS, one of the best independent distributors for animation in North America. Mars Express couldn’t dream of finding a better home and support from a team fully dedicated to art,” said MK2 Films Head of Acquisition Olivier Barbier.

Synopsis
In 2200, private detective Aline Ruby and her android partner Carlos Rivera are hired by a wealthy businessman to track down a notorious hacker. On Mars, they descend deep into the underbelly of the planet’s capital city where they uncover a darker story of brain farms, corruption, and a missing girl who holds a secret about the robots that threatens to change the face of the universe.

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Jerry Beck

Writer, cartoon producer and author of more than 15 books on animation history. A former studio exec with Nickelodeon and Disney; currently on the faculty at both CalArts in Valencia and Woodbury University in Burbank, California.