Blazing Samurai, the highly-anticipated animated family comedy from Mass Animation, Huayi Brothers Media Corporation, Flying Tigers Entertainment, and GFM Films cast Samuel L. Jackson, Michael Cera and Mel Brooks along with George Takei, Gabriel Iglesias, Aasif Mandvi, Djimon Hounsou, Michelle Yeoh, Sandra Tsing Loh, Mel B., and introducing Heavenly Joy Jerkins.
The film is being produced by the acclaimed director of The Lion King and Stuart Little, Rob Minkoff, along with long-time animation industry executive and President and Founder of Mass Animation Yair Landau (Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs) and producer Susan Purcell (Mother Up!).
"We've assembled some extraordinarily strong comedic talent for the cast of this fresh, fun and irreverent animated family film," said Minkoff.
"From the artistic ambition to the East meets West style of story-telling, everyone involved in creating Blazing Samurai is having a blast."
Samuel L. Jackson is set to voice JIMBO, a cat who once was a great warrior who now lives life hitting the catnip a bit too hard. Despite his addled state, JIMBO reluctantly takes lovable mutt HANK under his wing and teaches him the cunning, courageous and warrior-like ways of the samurai.
Forging an unusual friendship between a cat and a dog, the two set off on a wild and hilarious journey to save the town of Kakamucho whilst at the same time learning what it means to be a true, great samurai.
Executive producers include Mel Brooks (Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein), Reginald Hudlin (Academy Award nominated producer of Django Unchained) and Pietro Ventani.
The film is equally inspired by and an homage to Mel Brooks' timeless, hilarious classic Blazing Saddles. GFM Films is handling international sales and will be hosting a presentation about the production with a sneak peak at some very early footage at AFM on November 4.
"There is no business like Shogun business," said Mel Brooks. "And what is wonderful about the film is that it is going to have great appeal not only for kids, but their parents too. It's funny and smart."
Blazing Samurai is directed by Chris Bailey (Alvin And The Chipmunks) and Mark Koetsier (Kung Fu Panda, How To Train Your Dragon) from a screenplay by Ed Stone and Nate Hopper.
"Throughout the recording sessions from Mel Brooks to Mel B, this cast has not only met the humor, but raised the level of comedy and heart in this unique homage to Blazing Saddles," said Landau. "Ed and Nate delivered a first-rate script in Blazing Samurai, a story about cats and dogs getting along that will appeal to everyone whether they've seen the original comedy classic or not."
Blazing Samurai is an action-packed animated comedy about a scrappy dreamer of a dog named Hank (voiced by Michael Cera) who longs to become a great warrior and fights to save the town of Kakamucho from becoming the litter box of a nefarious feline warlord, transforming society and himself on his quest to become a true samurai.
Blazing Samurai will be released by Open Road Films in the United States on August 4, 2017. Sony Pictures International Releasing has already picked up several major territories worldwide, and Huayi Brothers Media Corporation is distributing the film in Greater China.
The fur will fly with this cast, which also includes the legendary Mel Brooks as the voice of the SHOGUN, the misguided but benevolent leader. George Takei will lend his inimitable baritone voice to OHGA, the villain's enforcer. Djimon Hounsou (Guardians of the Galaxy, How to Train Your Dragon) voices SUMO, the gentle giant. Aasif Mandvi (Spider-Man 2, The Internship) and Gabriel Iglesias (The Nut Job, Planes) will star as ICHIRO and CHUCK, Kakamucho's Laurel and Hardy towncats, with Sandra Tsing Loh (Chicken Little) as LITTLE MAMA, Kakamucho's cranky grande dame. Introducing 5 year-old America's Got Talent sensation, Heavenly Joy Jerkins, as EMIKO, the feisty kitten who is a natural warrior, with Michelle Yeoh voicing YUKI, Emiko's over-protective mom. And Mel B (Spice Girls, America's Got Talent) serves up a great cameo as THE GIRAFFE, who sees herself as a cat.
